Are you interested in luxury asphalt shingles (also called designer or premium)? Do you want to know the best options available?
While luxury asphalt shingles are growing in popularity, the options across manufacturers are limited, and their availability depends on location. However, some stand out from the rest.
So, what are the best luxury asphalt shingles?
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided homeowners with transparent information so they feel confident in their roofing decisions. Now, I’ll do the same for luxury shingles.
In this article, you’ll learn the 5 best luxury asphalt shingles, including their design, performance features, and warranties. Keep in mind that all this information is pulled directly from the manufacturers’ website, brochures, and technical data sheets.
1. CertainTeed Grand Manor luxury shingles
CertainTeed’s Grand Manor luxury asphalt shingle is the super heavyweight of luxury shingles that provides at least five layers of protection (with underlayment). Each one is made of two full-size fiberglass shingles and randomly applied tabs with shadow lines to provide a true natural slate look.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
Grand Manor’s multi-layer design and heaviness make them extremely durable, which is why they have a Class 4 Impact Rating (highest possible) and strong wind resistance. They also have a Class A fire resistance rating (highest possible) in areas concerned about fire safety.
Grand Manor shingles come with CertainTeed’s standard lifetime-limited transferable warranty, but they also come with:
- 10-year SureStart™ warranty (covers 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 30-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 15-year, 110-mph wind-resistance warranty (upgradable to 130 mph)
SureStart warranties are upgradable to 20 and 50 years if a CertainTeed-certified roofer installs a Grand Manor shingle roof. CetainTeed will even provide a 10 or 25-year workmanship warranty if they’re installed with a 5-star certification.
2. CertainTeed Belmont luxury shingles
CertainTeed’s Belmont luxury asphalt shingle is designed to look like natural slate with multi-positioned tabs that provide realistic depth and dimension. Manufactured with top-grade asphalt on a strong fiberglass base mat, they come with a Class 3 Impact Rating and can withstand up to 110 mph winds.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
While the durability is great, they are specifically designed to resist algae growth and prevent unsightly black streaks. On top of CertainTeed's standard lifetime-limited warranty against manufacturing defects, Belmont shingles also come with:
- 10-year SureStart™ warranty (covers 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 30-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 15-year, 110-mph wind-resistance warranty (130 mph upgrade available with CertainTeed starter and CertainTeed hip and ridge)
This information is for the standard Belmont shingle, but CertainTeed also makes an impact-resistant option. The only difference between the two is Belmont IR shingles have an added reinforcement, giving them a Class 4 Impact-Resistance (highest possible).
3. CertainTeed Carriage House luxury shingles
CertainTeed’s Carriage House luxury asphalt shingle has distinctive shadow lines with chamfered corners for a unique scallop-edged finish similar to handcrafted slate roofs. This patented design uses two full-size base shingles to create four layers of protection.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
Not only does this make Carriage House a long-lasting shingle, but it also gives it a Class 4 Rating and can withstand up to 110 mph winds. Like all CertainTeed shingles, they come with the standard lifetime-limited transferable warranty.
Below are the other manufacturer warranties Carriage House shingles come with:
- 10-year SureStart™ warranty (covers 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 30-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 15-year 110-mph wind-resistance warranty (upgradable to 130 mph)
CertainTeed’s Carriage House offers a handcrafted look that’s unique among the luxury shingle options. However, it’s also a reliable and durable asphalt shingle you can count on.
4. CertainTeed Presidential Shake luxury shingles
CertainTeed’s Presidential Shake luxury asphalt shingle is designed with a unique sculptured tab to provide the same depth and dimension as natural wooden shakes. The two-piece laminated fiberglass shingle creates a multi-layer design for increased durability.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
This gives them a Class 3 Impact Rating, plus the unique “locking system” ensures they stay in place in high winds up to 110 mph. Just like the three before, Presidential Shake luxury shingles come with CertainTeed’s standard lifetime-limited transferable warranty.
Below are the other manufacturer warranties that Presidential Shake shingles come with:
- 10-year SureStart™ warranty (covers 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
- 30-year StreakFighter® warranty against streaking and discoloration caused by airborne algae
- 15-year 110-mph wind-resistance warranty (upgradable to 130 mph)
CertainTeed Presidential Shake luxury shingles are a durable and unique asphalt roofing option. However, some roofers don’t recommend them because the installation is complex and difficult.
5. GAF Grand Sequoia AS luxury shingles
GAF’s Grand Sequoia AS luxury asphalt shingle is designed with artisan-crafted shapes and oversized tabs to create the rugged look of wooden shakes. GAF has a standard Grand Sequoia shingle, but I chose this variation because it’s SBS-modified.
(Photo provided by GAF.com)
The SBS-modified asphalt formula creates a rubber-like flexibility to give Grand Sequoia AS luxury shingles a Class 4 Impact Rating, which is why the “AS” stands for Armorshield. On top of the impact rating, they can withstand winds up 110 mph.
GAF provides a Lifetime Limited Warranty on these luxury asphalt shingles, but also provides:
- 10-year Smart Choice Protection Period (non-prorated material and installation labor coverage)
- 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty against blue-green algae discoloration
- 15-year, 110-mph WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty (upgradable to 130-mph when installed with other GAF accessories)
GAF’s Grand Sequoia AS luxury asphalt shingle look is pretty comparable to CertainTeed’s Presidential Shake luxury shingle. They are a reliable asphalt roofing choice, but hiring a roofer certified with GAF is crucial to ensure they’re installed correctly.
So, what’s the best luxury asphalt shingle?
Every roofer has their preferred shingle, and availability varies by location, so saying “best” isn’t the right way to look at it. However, I recommend CertainTeed’s luxury asphalt shingles.
After all, there’s a reason CertainTeed has the most luxury options among shingle manufacturers. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but Belmont or Grand Manor are my favorites.
But as I’ve said, each shingle's availability and color options depend on your location. So, talk to your roofing contractor to learn their recommendations, what’s available, and which one fits your budget.
Are luxury asphalt shingles right for you?
After reading this article, you now know the 5 top luxury asphalt shingles and my recommendation. However, knowing them and deciding if they're right for you are completely different.
In fact, they won’t be a realistic shingle option for most homeowners. So, it’s crucial to compare the three types of asphalt shingles.
That’s why I wrote another article putting all these comparisons in one place to help you determine which one is right for you.
Check out 3-tab vs. Architectural vs. Luxury Asphalt Shingles to learn how they match up on lifespan, warranties, and cost, plus their pros and cons.
