CertainTeed Landmark vs. GAF Timberline HDZ

CertainTeed and GAF are two of the biggest asphalt shingle manufacturers in the country. So, it’s no surprise to see CertainTeed’s Landmark line and GAF’s Timberline HDZ line among the most popular architectural asphalt shingles on the market. 

They’re both great shingle options, but roofing contractors tend lean one way or the other. While it’s great to have an opinion or preferred product, they do this without giving you all the facts so you can make an informed decision.

For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has taken pride in providing homeowners with unbiased and transparent information. That’s why I’ll give you an honest overview of both products and my opinion on why I prefer one over the other. 

This article covers the following:

• The facts about CertainTeed Landmark asphalt shingles
• The facts about GAF Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles
• CertainTeed Landmark shingles vs. GAF Timberline HDZ shingles
• Are Landmark shingles or GAF Timberline HDZ shingles better?

The facts about CertainTeed Landmark asphalt shingles

CertainTeed’s Landmark® architectural asphalt shingle is the most popular asphalt shingle our customers choose. 

(Photo courtesy: certainteed.com)

It offers a dual-layered design with the dimension a cedar shake roof provides. Landmark shingles are also the heaviest and offer the widest array of color options in their class. 

Below are performance perks that CertainTeed’s Landmark asphalt shingles offer:

• CertaSeal to safeguard against wind uplift, shingle blow-off, and moisture infiltration
• NailTrak® for speed, accuracy, and confident installation
• QuadraBond technology to firmly secure the layers of a shingle together
• Certified as meeting the industry's toughest third-party (UL) manufacturing quality standards
• Dual-layered construction provides extra protection from the elements
• Class A fire-resistance rating

All Landmark shingles include CertainTeed's lifetime-limited warranty to back up this performance. But that’s just one type of warranty they come with. 

Landmark asphalt shingles also come with the following warranties:

• 10-year SureStart™ warranty (covers 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
• 25-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)

CertainTeed’s Landmark asphalt shingle line is a high-quality, reliable choice and, most importantly, affordable. There’s a reason Landmark shingles are incredibly popular with our customers.

The facts about GAF Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles

GAF’s Timberline HDZ® architectural shingle is one of the best-selling asphalt shingles on the market. It offers your roof a high-dimensional wood-shake look that gets paired with GAF’s patented High Definition® shadow bands to create exceptional depth and dimension. 

(Photo courtesy: gaf.com)

Below are the performance perks that GAF’s Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles offer:

• Patented LayerLock™ Technology and StrikeZone™ 
• Advanced Protection Shingle with GAF Dura Grip Adhesive
• Class A fire-resistance rating

Like CertainTeed offers a lifetime-limited warranty on their Landmark shingles, GAF also offers a lifetime-limited warranty on their Timberline HDZ shingles. On top of this warranty, Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles also come with the following warranties:

• 10-year Smart Choice Protection Period (pays a “reasonable” price for replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects)
• 10-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty against blue-green algae discoloration
• 15-year, 130 mph WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty (requires a combination of GAF accessories)

With a focus on affordability, GAF Timberline HDZ offers your home advanced roof protection from eave to ridge. 

CertainTeed Landmark shingles vs. GAF Timberline HDZ shingles

Now you know the key facts about CertainTeed’s Landmark shingle and GAF Timberline HDZ shingle. Both asphalt shingles are great choices, but which is better?

Let’s quickly review how these shingles compare to each other based on the above facts.

Looking at this table, there’s not much difference between the two. However, there’s a big difference in how they handle warranty claims for manufacturer defects. 

They both offer a basic 10-year warranty for manufacturer defects, but GAF requires a “reasonable” price for the work required. This is incredibly subjective and could mean anything they want it to mean. So, a reasonable price from your roofing contractor might not be reasonable to them, which leaves you paying out of pocket to cover the difference. While the protections on your investment is important, so is the protection both shingles offer your home. 

The simple fact is that CertainTeed Landmark shingles are more durable and stand up better to extreme weather than GAF Timberline HDZ shingles. This is because Landmark shingles meet the roofing industry's toughest manufacturing quality standards and have a dual-layered design. 

Are Landmark shingles or GAF Timberline HDZ shingles better?

The truth is, both CertainTeed Landmark and GAF Timberline HDZ shingles are great options. However, CertainTeed is more upfront about their warranties and what it takes to get them. 

CertainTeed’s Landmark line also provides a couple more colors than GAF’s Timberline HDZ line, but the color availability depends on the region and suppliers in your area. As I said, CertainTeed Landmark shingles are our preferred architectural asphalt shingles.

My subjective opinion is that CertainTeed Landmark shingles are better than Timberline HDZ shingles because of the durability it offers. That’s simply my opinion based on working in the roofing industry for 30-plus years and using different shingle brands. 

Just know that every roofing contractor has a preferred brand they like to use for various reasons. When this happens, take the roofing contractor’s recommendation, ask questions, get the facts, look at alternatives if needed, and then make the right decision for you.

Should you care more about the shingle brand or roofing contractor?

Now you know that my opinion is CertainTeed Landmark shingles are better than GAF Timberline HDZ shingles. While Timberline HDZ are quality shingles, CertainTeed's products have not let me down for the 30-plus years we’ve been in business.

On top of that, their warranty department is great and responsive. With this information, you should feel confident deciding if Landmark or Timberline HDZ shingles are right for you. 

Just know that both shingle brands can only perform as well as their installation. You can even buy the most expensive and best quality shingles, but it’ll mean nothing without a good roofing contractor properly installing them.

Unfortunately, some homeowners get enamored with a specific shingle without considering who installs them. This leads to massive problems if you don’t do your due diligence. 

That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the importance of finding a happy medium between your preferred shingle brand and a potential roofing contractor. 

Check out Shingle Brand vs. Roofing Contractor to learn which one you should focus on when going through the decision-making process.