Asphalt Shingles Buyer’s Guide: Manufacturers and Warranties

The Big Takeaway

• The three major shingle manufacturers are GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed, each of which has its own product line with accessories for a complete roof system.

• Warranties keep you safe from manufacturing defects, while insurance covers storm damage. Manufacturer product lines often come with enhanced warranties, but have conditions.

• Shingle impact ratings are verified using the UL 2218 test. Shingles are then ranked between Class 1 and Class 4, with 4 being the most impact-resistant.

While lower-end asphalt shingles aren’t a great pick for Texas’ extreme weather, higher-end shingles strike a better balance between affordability and durability. But if you’re repairing or upgrading your roof, it’s important to know exactly what you’re buying and what it can handle. That’s why we’ve created this “buyer’s guide” series on asphalt shingles, covering everything from manufacturers and product lines to impact-resistant classes and warranties.

Major Asphalt Shingle Manufacturers

Asphalt shingles are extremely common in Texas. Whenever you see an asphalt roof, chances are it came from one of the top manufacturers, such as GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed. Each offers the same basic tiers of asphalt shingles: 3-tab at the entry level, architectural as the standard pick, and premium or designer at the top.

They also sell matching system parts, so the roof is built not just with the brand’s shingles but also additional pre-vetted components, such as underlayment, leak barriers, hip and ridge pieces, and ventilation components. For instance, each of these three brands has an architectural shingles product line, often with a unique focus. While all offer extreme weather protection, GAF Timberline emphasizes advanced cosmetic options, Owens Corning Duration highlights reinforced nailing area, and CertainTeed Landmark spotlights its sealing technology. For more information, see our shingle manufacturers guide

Shingles Warranties

Manufacturer warranties show homeowners that a brand has faith in its product. A manufacturer’s warranty will cover any defects in the shingles and approved accessories within a certain timeframe. Most include an early non-prorated period, then prorated coverage as the roof ages. This ensures the buyer gets what they paid for, but there are conditions to warranties to be aware of, which you can read about in our warranties guide.

There are also contractor warranties, which ensure installation was conducted with the level of workmanship and expertise that you paid for. Like manufacturer warranties, a workmanship warranty shows Texas homeowners that a contractor crew is confident in their expertise and will correct installation mistakes over a set amount of time.

Manufacturers also sell enhanced or system packages to encourage buyers to use a full product line for their roof. In this case, coverage will typically be limited or voided if parts from different brands are mixed on a system package, or if other issues, such as poor attic ventilation, seem to be the culprit of damage rather than defects.

Understanding Impact Resistance

Impact resistance is labeled using the UL 2218 test, in which balls of varying sizes are dropped on shingles from varying heights. Performance ratings run from Class 1 to Class 4, with Class 4 being the most impact-resistant. For the Texas hail season, Class 4 is highly recommended, especially considering that asphalt shingles are already less durable than other materials, like metal.

Class 4 options exist inside the main families above, including GAF Timberline ArmorShield II, Owens Corning Duration STORM or FLEX, and CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex or Landmark IR. Our impact resistance guide takes a closer look at this topic.

Beyond durability, having impact-resistant shingles can also yield premium insurance credits from some Texas carriers. So, if you do upgrade to Class 4 shingles, make sure you save the paperwork for the materials and installation.

We’re Here to Help

Need more information? If you have any questions or need assistance with damage, contact DFW Roofers at (469) 751-4018 or schedule an appointment through our online appointment form.