Are CertainTeed Carriage House Shingles Worth It?

Do you need a new asphalt shingle roof? Are you considering CertainTeed’s popular Carriage House shingle?
Carriage House shingles are a unique asphalt roofing option that stands out from a standard architectural shingle. Unfortunately, this CertainTeed product isn’t the best option for many homeowners.
However, you’re the one who has to decide if they’re worth the large investment. You can try to decide by digging through information on CertainTeed’s website.
Unfortunately, this is time-consuming and doesn’t guarantee finding what you need. Let’s simplify it.
For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has simplified the roofing industry's complexities with transparent information. So, let’s break down everything you need to know to decide if Carriage House shingles are right for you.
First, you’ll learn basic information about CertainTeed’s Carriage House shingle. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll learn whether they’re right for you based on color options, warranties, lifespan, and cost.
What are CertainTeed Carriage House shingles?
CertainTeed’s Carriage House shingle is a luxury asphalt shingle with distinctive shadow lines and 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 unique handcrafted look among the luxury shingle options. However, it’s also a reliable and durable asphalt shingle you can count on.
How many color options do Carriage House shingles have?
Like most asphalt shingles, Carriage House shingles have a range of colors to choose from. While they don’t come with a huge selection, Carriage House shingles have 9 color options.
(Photos provided by certainteed.com)
Most colors have grey/black characteristics because Carriage House shingles are designed to look like a slate roof, but they also offer brown, red, and green. Just know the availability depends on the region.
So, your options ultimately depend on what the suppliers in your area have in stock.
How long will Carriage House shingles last?
Carriage House shingles (and all luxury shingles) are larger and thicker than 3-tab and architectural shingles. The two full-size shingle base and 4-layer coverage (with underlayment) means Carriage House shingles should last 30 years.
In the right conditions, they can potentially get close to 40 or 50 years. I can’t be exact because of the many factors that impact the life of a roof.
However, you should have no problem getting to the 30-year mark as long as Carriage House asphalt shingles are properly installed and your attic has adequate ventilation.
Can you get an enhanced material warranty on Carriage House shingles?
You already know Carriage House shingles come with an algae, wind, and CertainTeed’s lifetime-limited warranty and the 10-year SureStart™ warranties. However, Carriage House asphalt shingles can also qualify for a 50-year non-prorated enhanced SureStart PLUS warranty.
To get the enhanced warranty, the shingles must be combined with certain accessories from CertainTeed to form a complete roof system. Everything must also be installed by a CertainTeed-certified contractor and registered with CertainTeed before going into effect.
The SureStart Plus warranty takes the original protection and extends full coverage for up to 50 years. However, improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation void any material warranty provided by CertainTeed.
How much does a Carriage House shingle roof cost?
Unfortunately, I can’t give you an exact price for Carriage House shingles due to area-specific pricing and all the other factors that affect a new roof’s cost. However, I can give you a general idea of the budget you’ll need if you choose Carriage House asphalt shingles for your roof replacement.
A Carriage House asphalt shingle roof costs around $8.00-$10.00 per square foot, but can be a little lower or higher based on your roof and the roofer you hire. You’ll be on the higher end of the price range if you invest in copper flashing, need to replace a lot of decking, or add upgrades.
To put it into perspective, this is around double the cost of an architectural shingle roof. Unfortunately, this pushes Carriage House shingles out of many homeowners’ budgets.
So, are CertainTeed’s Carriage House shingles worth it?
While I prefer Belmont or Grand Manor shingles, CertainTeed Carriage House shingles are well worth the investment if you have the budget. The high curb appeal, warranties, and lifespan make them a great shingle option.
The Class 4 Impact Rating also means they stand up well to storm damage, which also makes them long-lasting and durable. However, I never recommend going well over budget just to get Carriage House asphalt shingles.
If Carriage House shingles don’t fit your budget, there are more affordable options with CertainTeed’s high quality.
What other CertainTeed shingles should you consider?
After reading this article, you should have a good idea of whether CertainTeed's Carriage House shingles are right for you. The big thing to consider is your budget, especially with the investment they require.
But what if they’re out of your price range?
One of the main reasons CertainTeed is my preferred brand is the quality of its products across all shingle lines. They have plenty of options to fit any style or budget.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the other CertainTeed shingles to help you determine which one is right for you.
Check out The Top 5 CertainTeed Asphalt Shingles to learn the other great CertainTeed options and how they compare on key factors.