Trying to pick the right shingle for your upcoming roof replacement? Are you deciding between CertainTeed's Landmark shingle and GAF's Timberline HDZ shingle?
CertainTeed and GAF are two of the biggest asphalt shingle manufacturers in the country. So, it’s no surprise that you're considering CertainTeed’s Landmark shingle and GAF’s Timberline HDZ shingle.
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 35 years, 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:
CertainTeed’s Landmark® shingle is an architectural shingle with a multi-layered design on a tough fiberglass base and protective outer layer. They come with CertainTeed’s StreakFighter® algae resistance against black streaks caused by algae growth.
On top of algae resistance, CertainTeed’s Landmark asphalt shingles also offer:
Landmark shingles come with CertainTeed's lifetime-limited warranty, but they also come with specific warranties to back up the performance features.
These warranties include:
CertainTeed’s Landmark asphalt shingle line is a high-quality and reliable choice for residential roof replacement. However, their affordability is a big reason Landmark shingles are incredibly popular.
GAF’s Timberline HDZ® is an architectural shingle that is one of the best-selling asphalt shingles on the market. It offers your roof a high-dimensional wood-shake look paired with GAF’s patented High Definition® shadow bands to create exceptional depth and dimension.
Timberline HDZ shingles also come with GAF’s trademarked StainGuard to protect against algae growth. However, their impact resistance rating makes them a more durable GAF shingle option.
On top of this, Timberline HDZ shingles offer homeowners:
Like all GAF products, Timberline HDZ shingles come with a lifetime-limited warranty. On top of this warranty, they also come with the following warranties:
With a focus on affordability, GAF Timberline HDZ is a quality shingle option. And with their recent qualification for the Class 3 Impact Rating, they're more durable in 2026 than in years past.
Now you know the key differences between CertainTeed Landmark and GAF Timberline HDZ shingles. You can't go wrong with either, but let's dig deeper into the things that matter the most for homeowners.
Let's compare Landmark and GAF Timberline HDZ on:
CertainTeed and GAF provide a variety of warranties for all their shingles. Both manufacturers offer a come with basic a lifetime-limited transferable warranty, but they also offer others on algae resistance and wind warranties.
The table below compares these warranties for Landmark and Timberline HDZ shingles:
CertainTeed Landmark Warranties |
GAF Timberline HDZ Warranties |
| 10-year SureStart™ protection period | 10-year Smart Choice Protection Period |
| 25-year StreakFighter® Algae Resistance warranty | 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty |
| 15-year 110 mph wind warranty (upgradable to 160 mph) | 15-year 110 mph wind warranty (upgradable to 160 mph) |
Key takeaway: Landmark and Timberline HDZ shingles pretty much come with the same warranties, but GAF's are more limited in cost coverage.
Both Landmark and Timberline HDZ both have the Class 3 rating, which means they're durable. However, Landmark shingles are the heavier and thicker shingle.
So, they do offer a little more durability. The problem is that it's not enough of a difference to quantify or stand behind, which is why they don't have a higher rating than GAF Timberline HDZ.
Key takeaway: Landmark and Timberline HDZ are very durable shingles, but Landmark can technically offer more durability in situations.
Color selection is always in the eye of the beholder and greatly varies based on the specific home's style. When it comes to numbers, Landmark has 21 options while Timberline HDZ has 19 standard options and 4 Bold Definition colors.
Both Landmark and Timberline HDZ have a very large color selection compared to other shingle manufactures. However, the availability of colors heavily depends on your area and what suppliers have in stock.
Key Takeaway: When it comes to colors, CertainTeed Landmark and GAF Timberline HDZ are comparable in number of options. However, Timberline HDZ has the Bold Definition selection that offers higher contrast options.
GAF Timberline HDZ and CertainTeed Landmark are pretty price comparable. Depending on your location, either one can be more expensive, but just slightly.
For most budgets, you won't find a better option than the standard Landmark shingles. However, GAF Timberline HDZ is still a good option at the same or less than Landmark shingles.
Key takeaway: Landmark and Timberline HDZ shingles are pretty price comparable, but your budget and style choices are the key deciding factors to keep in mind.
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.
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 35-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.
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 35-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.