When it comes to replacing your roof, one of the bigger decisions you’ll have to make is the type of shingles to use.  At Golden Group Roofing, we offer the best shingles from top industry leaders: GAF and CertainTeed. But how will you choose between GAF vs. CertainTeed shingles? Let’s break it down. 

Things to consider when choosing between GAF vs. CertainTeed:

• Durability
• Cost
• Styles and colors
• Warranty

The durability factor

At Golden Group Roofing, we won’t just use any old shingle that you find at the big box store. We research the materials and select the ones that are built to last. We would never want to see a homeowner regret using cheap materials only to be faced with costly repairs later.

Both GAF and CertainTeed are highly reputable manufacturers and we’ve put their durability to the test. But there are some differences between the two. Let’s see how they compare.

Both GAF and CertainTeed produce excellent asphalt shingles in the same height and width dimensions. The CertainTeed shingles are actually thicker than the GAF shingles. Thicker shingles may imply a stronger shingle, but as GAF claims, heavier doesn’t always mean better when it comes to modern day technology.

Both manufacturers work each year to improve factors such as:

• Flexibility (to account for changes in temperature – very important in New England)
• Retaining granules for as long as possible (there will be inevitable wear and tear on any shingle exposed to the elements over time)
• Waterproofing, tear strength, and wind resistance

There are other factors that go into the design that affect durability, including the nail area. At one time, the GAF asphalt shingles had room for only 4 nails and the CertainTeed had a nailing area that accommodated up to 6 nails (providing more strength against wind). Thankfully, GAF released an improved area that also accommodates 6 nails. 

The cost factor

In general, GAF Timberline asphalt shingles cost less than CertainTeed Landmark shingles. Although the price of shingles fluctuate due to market and production factors, in recent history both brands of the entry level architectural shingles were priced fairly comparably. 

As you begin to upgrade the quality to the premium shingles for each manufacturer, you’ll begin to see that CertainTeed shingles are sold at a higher price.

Of course, the cost of the shingles is only one part of the entire roofing cost. If a lower priced shingle is harder to work with, the labor costs may go up. 

And remember, this is an investment in your current and future value of your home. Not only will it protect your home from damage, but replacing your roof can improve the market value when you go to sell. Curious to see how it may affect your home resale value? Check out these industry estimates here.

Styles and color 

Both GAF and Certainteed carry the latest trends in asphalt shingle colors. Both lines will carry the most popular shades of gray, black, and brown, each one will have a handful of special shingle styles and colors if you have a particular look in mind. 

Although this changes from year to year, as of this article, GAF’s Timberline HDZ® Shingles are available in around 14 colors. Click here for the latest GAF colors. The CertainTeed Landmark shingles are available in around 13 colors. Click here for the latest CertainTeed Landmark shingle colors.

When assessing the colors online, just remember that not every color or style is available for your region.

Either way, your Golden Group Roofing representative will share with you the up-to-date colors and styles available to you. We even bring along our “roofing box” so you can see and feel the shingles for yourself. Sometimes colors look different in the sun and shade – you’ll be able to assess the colors in person.

The warranty factor

It may seem like an afterthought, but the warranty can play a critical role in your investment. You’ve spent a lot of time choosing the shingles for just the right look – and once you replace your roof, you don’t want to worry about it for a long time!

But life happens, and the warranty is there to protect your investment in case certain things happen. Let’s take a look at the GAF and CertainTeed warranties.

As of 2022, GAF offers 5 levels of warranties for the Timberline™ shingle line, all of which include “lifetime” coverage for single-family detached homes owned by individuals. At the time of this article, CertainTeed offers two levels of warranties for its Landmark™ shingle line:  the SureStart  and the SureStart PLUS, also with limited lifetime warranties.  

Because companies constantly make improvements and adjustments to their offerings, it’s always a good idea to get up-to-date information. You can check the latest GAF warranties here and the latest CertainTeed warranties here. 

Not sure what the differences are? It can be difficult to translate the industry language into something that a non-roofer can understand. At Golden Group Roofing, we know the lingo and can help you go through them.

Either way, we register the highest level warranty available for ALL of our new roof installations. We know that a new roof is a large home improvement and we want to protect your investment.

GAF vs. CertainTeed: What do professional roofing contractors recommend?

At Golden Group Roofing, we study the materials and renew our certifications each year. We stay up to date with the manufacturing improvements and can advise you on what to consider for your individual property.

Both GAF and CertainTeed have excellent products and warranties, which is why we choose to offer both to our residential and commercial roofing customers. When deciding, you may want to consider:

• Your budget
• Roof Shingle Styles and colors you like
• Other specifications that apply to your property

Roofing craftsmanship also matters when looking at GAF vs. CertainTeed

What we do know is that roofing craftsmanship matters too. You can have the highest quality materials, but if the installation is poor or suboptimal, you may run into problems. That’s why we stay up-to-date on the latest technology and manufacturing guidelines. The quality of your roof is important to us.

If you’re having trouble deciding or would like some expert advice on GAF vs. CertainTeed roof shingles on your Boston, MA area home, give us a call. We’ve been in this business for years and have seen it all.

Our roofing experts will help you find the right shingles for your home. Call us at (508) 873-1884 or schedule your appointment online.