GAF vs. CertainTeed Asphalt Roof Shingles: Which Are Best?

While your roofing system plays an important role in establishing your home’s curb appeal, that’s far from its only function. In fact, your roofing system also provides your home with one of its first lines of defense against the elements. Blinding hot UV rays, intense driving rain, and heavy frigid snow—your roof shingles must weather it all. So when the time finally comes to update your roofing system, you want to know you’re investing in the best asphalt shingles available.

Most roofing contractors, when asked about their preferred asphalt shingle manufacturer, will mention either CertainTeed or GAF. Both of these industry giants have a reputation for creating top-tier products, which combine an unquestionably attractive appearance with superior reliability. But you don’t just want good roof shingles. You want the best. So, how do you decide between CertainTeed and GAF shingles?

Choose CertainTeed Asphalt Shingles if You Want to Invest in Your Home

CertainTeed may have expanded their product lineup recently to make themselves more competitive, but they got their start making high-end products. And when it comes to their asphalt roof shingles, that commitment to quality shows. What makes CertainTeed shingles so great?

Their Durability

While the exact specifications of CertainTeed roof shingles vary from product line to product line, they all feature between four and five fused asphalt and fiberglass layers, which are laminated and offer unparalleled coverage. This means that CertainTeed shingles weigh more than most competitors’ products, allowing them to better withstand wind, impact damage, cracking, and cupping.

Their Warranties

If you ever want to know whether a manufacturer is confident in their products, take a look at their warranties. CertainTeed offers three different warranty types, based on the product line and installer. While the length of these warranties is comparable to those offered by competitors, CertainTeed is known for working fewer loopholes into their warranty language. In short, many homeowners find it easier to claim warranty coverage when they invest in CertainTeed asphalt shingles.

While CertainTeed roof shingles come with several attractive benefits, it’s worth noting that there are a few drawbacks. You won’t find as many customization options with these shingles, especially if you opt for one of their more economical product lines. And usually, you’ll find that CertainTeed asphalt shingles cost a bit more than other products.

Choose GAF Asphalt Shingles if You Want to Combine Performance & Value

When GAF started manufacturing roof shingles, they designed their cost-conscious products to compete with middle-of-the-road manufacturers like Owens Corning. These days, they’ve diversified their product lineup by integrating some more high-end shingle lines. Still, GAF asphalt shingles are usually chosen by homeowners looking to maximize their return on investment (ROI). That’s because GAF shingles:

Usually Cost a Bit Less Than CertainTeed Shingles

While the CertainTeed portfolio consists of several high-end products and one or two economical lines, the GAF portfolio consists of many economical products with one or two higher-end shingles. This makes it easy to find asphalt shingles that maximize ROI, which may make all the difference if you might find yourself relocating in the not-so-distant future.

Offer a Strong Combination of Durability & Attractiveness

Don’t get us wrong—just because GAF roof shingles tend to cost less than their CertainTeed counterparts doesn’t mean that they’re offering a cut-rate product. On the contrary, GAF shingles are designed to offer homes some of the best protection available at their price point. They consist of multiple fused fiberglass and asphalt layers, and—when coupled with other GAF roofing products—offer unparalleled protection. In fact, the best GAF asphalt shingles are usually on par with the best CertainTeed shingles.

Where GAF typically outshines its competitor, however, is in the sheer number of customization options available. These roof shingles come in a plethora of profiles and high-definition color options, making it simple to design a roofing system that feels like a natural part of your home and a perfect expression of your style.

Like any product, GAF asphalt shingles do come with some drawbacks. Keen-eyed homeowners are quick to note that GAF warranties come with more hoops to jump through if you want to file a claim, though partnering with a GAF-approved contractor may ensure you receive more robust warranty protection.

The Verdict?

Ultimately, choosing between GAF and CertainTeed roof shingles comes down to what you want from your roofing system. If you’re looking to invest in a top-tier roof that will protect your home for decades to come, CertainTeed asphalt shingles are your best bet. But if you want to maximize your return on your investment, possibly because you may move in the future, you can’t beat the value offered by a GAF roofing system.

And if you’re looking for an installer in the Bloomington-Normal area to partner with, Nordine Remodeling can help. Contact us today to learn more about our products!