What Are The Best Shingles To Put On A Roof

Roof Installation Costs And Considerations

Both brands get ratings in the good to very good range from roofing contractors who install them every day and from home inspectors who have seen their share of shingles that have failed before they should.

What it comes down to is the quality of the installation. Both brands make above-average shingles that can deliver superior durability for 20+ years, fail in just a few years or perform somewhere in the middle. The difference is determined by how well the installers do their job.

On average, licensed roofers charge $60-75 per hour. However, roof installation costs can very widely depending on where you live.

For example, coastal cities and towns with high real estate prices have much higher labor rates for construction, and roofing is no exception. In these areas, roofers are known to charge as much as $80-85 per hour for their labor. On the other hand, states in the South and Mid-West can have some of the cheapest labor rates in the country, as low as $45-55 per hour.

To get the best price without compromising the quality of installation, its very important to do due diligence and get 3-4 estimates from qualified, licensed roofing companies. Make sure to ask for references and actually call them, before you make your final selection and sign a contract with a roofer.

Solar Shingles And Tiles

You may already be familiar with non-integrated solar roofing systems, like panels that are placed on top of your roof however, solar shingles are an option that is growing in popularity. These tiles are integrated into the existing roofing, creating a flatter, smoother appearance. You may have seen solar shingles like those developed by Tesla, but there are also other options to consider.

CertainTeeds Apollo® II solar shingles and Apollo Tile II solar tiles integrate with new or existing asphalt shingle or concrete tile roofing, allowing a roof to capture solar energy while maintaining a low-profile look that is more aesthetically pleasing than traditional solar panels. If you want your roof to protect your home while also providing clean energy for your household, consider the options available to you on our Solar Roofing page.

Choosing The Right Roofer For The Job

No matter how much you spend on roofing materials, the project will only turn out well if you hire a great contractor. Finding a good contractor is the hardest part of home renovation projects for most homeowners. Nevertheless, its essential to find an honest, trustworthy professional contractor.

Talk to friends and family members to find a great local contractor. By asking for word-of-mouth referrals, youre less likely to end up dealing with an unscrupulous service provider.

Youre also more likely to find a trustworthy service provider if you stick to contractors in your community. Also, local contractors are familiar with municipal regulations. They also have established relationships with local suppliers and laborers.

As you search for a contractor, look for a service provider with a manufacturers designation. This accreditation indicates that a service provider has exceptional skills.

Resultantly, a brand is willing to stake its name on the credibility of that particular contractor. GAF, for instance, only awards the top 2% of roofing contractors in each market the status of Master Elite Contractor.

You should also check with the Better Business Bureau . The BBB keeps a record of consumer reviews about local service providers.

The organization also sponsors an accreditation program. A business must maintain fair and ethical business practices for an A+ rating with the BBB.

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Are Certainteed Shingles Better Than Gaf

For homeowners and builders alike, GAF and CertainTeed are both highly rated, top-notch shingle brands in the industry. They are well known for their cost, quality, styles, warranties, and premium features. Sometimes, one company is better for your needs than the other. Heres the lowdown:

CertainTeed has the best roof shingles in its class and has a reputation for manufacturing premium roofing materials. They are known for their remarkable quality and offer top-of-the-line shingles, but they have begun adding more cost-effective products in response to growing competition. Their Landmark shingle fits into this category.

CertainTeed has the advantage over GAF by making thicker shingles. The thicker material of the shingles makes them more resistant to wind, impacts, and cracking. CertainTeed costs more, but you get better quality. They have the most expertise in high-end shingles. This is the company to go with when you want fewer loopholes in the warranty fine print, and you can find a reputable, experienced roofing company that is certified to install CertainTeed products.

GAF, however, is the largest manufacturer of residential roofing shingles and offers budget-friendly options similar in cost to Owens-Corning, and IKO. GAF stands behind their contractors so strongly that it only awards the top 2% of roofing contractors in each market the status of Master Elite Contractor. GAF provides consistent quality and reliable products.

Tamko Vs Owens Corning Warranty

Both companies offer a range of warranties that are comparable with one another and other leading brands. As you research any shingle brand, not just OC and TAMKO, you will find that issues with getting the manufacturer to back its warranty are easily the top criticism, and frustration, that homeowners have regarding shingles.

Installation is a large part of the overall quality of a roofing job. The point is emphasized by frequent warranty issues.

Take the time to find an experienced installer with a proven track record of quality installation and who follows specific manufacturer guidelines. The manufacturer warranties cover product defects, but not installation errors.

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What Are The Longest Lasting Roof Shingles

One of the best brands of roof shingles out there is CertainTeed. These are the shingles to go for if you plan on staying in your home indefinitely. They are thick, high quality, triple laminate dimensional shingles with three-piece laminated fiberglass construction. They are strong and durable and come in many styles and colors.

As a rule, the thicker the shingle, the longer it is going to last, and a lot is riding on the skill of the contractor you hire to do the installation. While it is typical for shingles to last between 25-40 years, the lifespan of your roof can be impacted by climate, roof design, and long-term exposure to harsh weather conditions.

Your roof can be left vulnerable to leaks and structural damage that impair the shingles flexibility, durability, and waterproofing. This can mean you could be replacing your roof after 7-10 years.

Making Your Final Decision

The decision to invest in a new roof is one that you or someone who might later purchase your home will have to live with for 20 to 50 years. Thats why its critical to do your homework before deciding.

Heres a checklist to review before making that final decision:

• Remember that protecting your home against water penetration is the primary purpose of any shingle.
• Consider the special needs of your climate.
• Research your local code restrictions before making any shingle adjustments. A good contractor will help guide you, but its a good idea to educate yourself beforehand. For example, some communities do not allow wood shakes because theyre not fire-resistant. Areas like California and Miami-Dade, Florida, have unique requirements.
• Keep in mind the architectural style of your home when considering your shingle style.
• Choose a shingle profile and color that will complement your homes exterior elements.
• Always view an actual shingle sample in varying light conditions before making your final selection.
• Obtain quotes from three professional roofing contractors. Factor personality, work history and experience into your decision not just pricing.

Ready to start your asphalt shingle installation?

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Talk To The Asphalt Roofing Experts

If youre interested in exploring different types of asphalt shingles, reach out to Long Roofing for expert advice on your roofing project. Whether youre looking for a roofing estimate or have questions about the best asphalt shingle for you, were here to help. Contact us online or give our knowledgeable team a call at 417-5664.

How To Lay Shingles

This article was co-authored by David Bitan. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and the owner and founder of Bumble Roofing based in Southern California. With over 12 years of construction industry experience, David specializes in restoring, repairing, and maintaining residential, commercial, and industrial roofs. With over 60 years of combined experience, Bumble Roofing provides easy, friendly services to structures including residential, commercial, industrial, multi-family, and government buildings along with hospitals, hotels, and churches.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 90% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 645,424 times.

Shingles protect sloping rooftops from the effects of rain, snow and hail while providing an attractive crown for the house. Keeping a solid roofing layer of shingles is an important way to avoid water damage and leaks. Doing it properly will keep you without problems for 20 or 40 years. Laying shingles can be hard and hot work, but the reward of an attractive, watertight roof can be worth it.

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Installing Roof Shingles In 11 Steps:

Related

Pros Of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are typically considered the most visually appealing roofing option. They offer color and texture in a variety of options so you can easily find a style to compliment your home. Some options can even resemble wood surfaces. They are most likely to be consistent with the other houses in your neighborhood and could be the perfect fit for your home.

Asphalt shingles are relatively easy to work with and install. They also absorb heat, which helps warm your home in winter, making your home more energy efficient in the colder months of the year.

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Gaf Vs Owens Corning Shingles Contractor Certifications

GAF provides excellent training for contractors in proper product installation to ensure the very best performance for your roof. The highest certification level, the Master Elite certification, means the roofer is licensed and insured, has a great, customer-reviewed reputation for workmanship, and is committed to ongoing training with GAF for new products and practices. GAF certified installers are able to provide homeowners with enhanced warranties including System Plus or the Golden Pledge.

Owens Corning also has installer certifications that allow contractors access to enhanced warranties for their products. These higher level warranties can be added for an additional percentage of the project cost and require customers to install the total protection roofing system.

For GAF vs. Owens Corning shingles, the contractor certifications category goes to GAF, as the programs they provide are more thorough. Higher level certifications are available to an exclusive group of contractors who show complete mastery over the GAF product line, commit to ongoing professional training, and demonstrate customer-reviewed workmanship. The GAF Master Elite certification is held by only 3% of roofers in the country. A GAF Master Elite certified installer will build a roof you can trust, with the highest quality workmanship, and issue the best warranty GAF offers, known as the Golden Pledge.

Picking The Best Asphalt Shingles

You should be armed with enough information to pick the right shingles at the right price for your house now. Dont get too hung up and on the different manufacturers special options. The main issues are what we have discussed, and following these guidelines will help you compare apples to apples so you dont accidentally end up with a lemon. Just like any home improvement purchase, take your time and put your hands on some shingles before making the final decision.

Do they feel significant or do they feel cheap and weak? Your gut is a good guide once you can get the product in your hands and see it in real life rather than on a computer screen. Use the facts above and trust your gut and youll be just fine. Happy roofing!

Founder & Senior Editor

I love old houses, working with my hands, and teaching others the excitment of doing it yourself! Everything is teachable if you only give it the chance.

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Owens Corning Duration Trudefinition Duration Flex Shingles

Owing to their UL 2218 Class 4 rating, TruDefinition Duration Flex shingles offer you the best hailstorm protection possible. Owens Corning makes them with a blend of modified SBS polymer asphalt. This gives the shingles a rubberizing effect, making them pliable and more flexible.

As a result, the shingles are more durable, tougher, and can withstand more severe storm conditions. Another benefit of these shingles is the nailing technology used in their production. Namely, Owens Corning uses SureNail Technology, which helps make the shingles extremely durable and strong. Their shingles also feature triple-layer protection, great wind resistance, and outstanding grip.

What Are Asphalt Shingle Roof Materials

Youll find asphalt shingles include the following materials layered together:

• Fiberglass mat: helps them remain flexible in extreme cold and rigid in heat. It provides a lot of the wind and impact resistance properties.
• Asphalt: Waterproofs the shingles and glues the granules to the mat. Often has mineral fillers to help with fire resistance, weathering, flexibility and durability.
• Granules: Helps protect the asphalts coating against deterioration from the suns ultraviolet rays. In many cases, algae-resistant granules are included to help inhibit blue-green algae growth, which causes unattractive black streaks and discoloration.
• Back surfacing: A fine mineral material applied to the back of the shingle for production, storage and shipping purposes.

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Top 10 Best Brands Of Roofing Shingles

You can narrow your roofing material search down with a few tips about the best roof shingles on the market. Consumer Reports conducts reviews of various products, including the best roofing shingles brands.

Its been ten years since the consumer group reported on roofing materials. The company assessed asphalt roofing shingles because its currently the most popular choice in the nation.

The report reveals that its easy to distinguish the thicknesses of various roofing brands. The report states that some brands shingles are so thick that you can easily see theyre three times more durable than other brands.

Longevity is the most important feature of a roofing shingle. Resultantly, Consumer Reports conducted a test that replicated the load and conditions asphalt shingles endure over time.

The consumer group focused on the weak spots in shingles because thats where they typically incur damage. The magazine used various devices to simulate intense hail to tell which ones will bend, crack or dent. They also conducted a test to see which shingles will stand up to the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

The report reveals that standard single-layer asphalt shingles can only stand up to around 60 mile-per-hour winds and moderate hail and debris impacts. Multilayered asphalt shingles, however, can withstand winds of 110 mph.

Testing The True Shingle Coverage

Its important to remember that 3 bundles of shingles dont always equal a square.

This is because not all manufacturers include the same number of shingles in each bundle.

Some include more shingles and other manufacturers include less.

If a manufacturer includes more shingles in each bundle, then that in turn saves contractors money.

In that sense, big shout out to Atlas, both IKO shingles, and BP for their performance in this category.

If youre a contractor and youre looking to maximize your budget, Atlas, IKO, and BP offer tremendous value.

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Start Your Cool Roofing Project Today With Owens Corning Cool Asphaltroofing Shingles

Ready to take the next step towards building anenergy-efficient home? Whether youre embarking on areroofing project or adding the finishing touches on your newlyconstructed house, Owens Corning Roofing can help.

Owens Corning COOL asphalt roofing shingles meet various levels of COOL roofing requirements and are available in a great selection of colors that complement many homes exteriors*. Dont forget to take advantage of the many state-specific incentive programs for home and business owners who use COOL roofing materials.

Find Owens Corning COOL roofing shingles available in your area, along with a trusted independent contractor in the Owens Corning Contractor Network.

* Cool product availability varies by region. Duration® Premium COOL Shingles are available nationally in four colors. Shasta White shingles in Owens Cornings Supreme®, Oakridge® and TruDefinition® Duration® shingle lines are available in most markets. Darker COOL colors are available only in California.