GAF and CertainTeed are two of the biggest shingle brands in the country. So, it makes sense that you’re trying to learn more about these top manufacturers.
It also makes sense that you’re comparing them to determine which one has the better product(s). The answer isn't necessarily straightforward, but that’s what we’re here for.
For over 30 years, the team at Bill Ragan Roofing has given homeowners like you unbiased and honest information about the roofing industry. Because of this, I’ll help you understand which shingle brand is considered “better”.
This article covers:
- Are GAF or CertainTeed shingles better?
- How to choose between GAF or CertainTeed shingles
- Why a roofing contractor would recommend a specific shingle brand
Are GAF or CertainTeed shingles better?
The truth is that both GAF and CertainTeed are great shingle brands. Because of this, it wouldn’t be fair for me to say which is better.
However, my preferred brand is CertainTeed. Keep in mind that this is my subjective opinion, and every roofing contractor has a preferred brand for various reasons.
I just believe in CertainTeed’s products and what they have to offer to homeowners. Plus, they have a wide selection of shingles and colors.
But just because I prefer CertainTeed doesn’t mean GAF’s shingles are bad or not worth it. We install GAF shingles if that’s what the homeowner prefers.
At the end of the day, the top shingle manufacturers are around the same quality and have pretty much the same functionality.
How do I choose between GAF and CertainTeed shingles?
So, how do you choose which one to go with if one of the shingle brands isn’t better than the other? The best way is to compare the brands and their products on two things to find the right fit for you.
But before we do that, you need to know that I, unfortunately, can’t give any pricing information. The prices for materials vary by area and availability of the product.
With that out of the way, let’s match up GAF and CertainTeed shingles on two important decision-making factors.
Does GAF or CertainTeed have more shingle options?
GAF and CertainTeed have different “lines” or shingles, but they both offer all three types (3-tab, architectural, and luxury) of asphalt shingles. However, CertainTeed has more lines of shingles to choose from.
GAF’s Timberline architectural asphalt shingle line is one of the most popular in the country and offers 5 different variations. On the other hand, CertainTeed’s main architectural asphalt shingle line, Landmark, offers 8 variations.
CertainTeed also offers a much wider range of luxury (aka premium or designer) asphalt shingles. You have to take this with a grain of salt because the availability of specific shingles depends on the area.
Just know that CertainTeed does have a bigger shingle selection and more color options than GAF. For some homeowners, this is important; for others, it’s not.
Some don’t like having a lot of choices because it’s overwhelming. The important thing is to pick the shingle, the color, and the style you like from either brand.
Even if that specific shingle isn’t available, a roofing contractor can find another shingle comparable within the brand or from another brand.
How do the warranties on GAF and CertainTeed shingles differ?
Once you pick out the shingle (or shingles) from each brand, you’ll need to compare their warranties and the features for that specific shingle. Both GAF and CertainTeed offer material warranties and “functions” specific to their brand.
However, most of them are pretty much the same and just called something different. For example, CertainTeed and GAF have an algae protection feature and warranty.
CertainTeed’s is called StreakFighter (15 years), and GAF’s is called StainGuard (10 years or 25-year limited warranty on StainGuard Plus). They also each offer limited lifetime warranties if you invest in an entire roof system and the roofing contractor you hire is certified by them.
Both GAF and CertainTeed shingles offer good warranties and protections. They just have different names, and the number of years may differ on certain shingles.
Did a roofing contractor recommend GAF or CertainTeed shingles?
As I said, GAF and CertainTeed are two of the biggest shingle brands in the country. But did a roofing contractor recommend one of them to you?
When a homeowner is turned on to GAF or CertainTeed specifically, it’s usually because a roofing contractor recommended them. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, why would they recommend a specific shingle brand?
This honestly depends on the roofing contractor and what the brand means to them. They could really believe in the product and think it’s the best shingle brand around.
It could also be that the product is readily available and the manufacturer isn’t experiencing shortages. Some roofing contractors even get certified by the manufacturer(s), so they can offer the best material warranties the brand has to offer.
Some get kickbacks or rebates for selling a certain amount of a specific brand. Whatever the reason a roofing contractor recommended GAF or CertainTeed, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
They’ll be able to find something in your budget that gives your roof the look you want, no matter which brand you choose.
Does the brand of shingle really matter?
After reading this article, you should have a good understanding of the differences between GAF and CertainTeed. Remember, one isn’t necessarily better than the other.
But if one isn’t better than the other, does the shingle brand really matter? The simple answer is yes, it does.
But the real answer is a little more complicated. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down how important choosing the brand of shingle really is.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has provided high-quality asphalt roof replacements to thousands of Homeowners in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee areas since 1990. No matter what shingle you choose, you can count on our workmanship to maximize your investment.
Check out Shingle Brand vs. Roofing Contractor: Which is More Important to learn how important the brand of shingle is compared to the roofing contractor you hire.
