Is it time for a new asphalt shingle roof? Are you wondering what the longest lasting type of asphalt shingle is?
An asphalt shingle roof is a big investment. Because of this, it makes sense that you want to find a shingle that lasts a long time.
After all, the longer your roof lasts, the more money you save in the long run. However, there are three different types of asphalt shingles. The differences between the three is drastic, especially when it comes to lifespan.
So, what is the longest lasting type of asphalt shingle?
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has helped homeowners find the perfect asphalt shingle fit for their roof replacement. That's why I'll break down the longest lasting asphalt shingle and the specific options you should consider.
By the end of this article, you'll learn:
- What is the longest lasting asphalt shingle?
- What are the best luxury asphalt shingles?
What is the longest lasting asphalt shingle?
The longest lasting type of asphalt shingle are luxury (also called designer or premium) asphalt shingles. A properly installed luxury asphalt shingle roof should last 30 years with the potential to reach between 40 and 50 years.
The reason they're the longest lasting comes down to the thickness and weight. Most of them even come with a Class 4 impact resistance rating (the highest possible), depending on manufacturer.
Just keep in mind that multiple factors impact a roof’s lifespan, so it’s always possible for premature failure. But as long as the luxury shingles are properly installed and your attic is adequately ventilated, they're by far the longest lasting asphalt shingle.
What are the best luxury asphalt shingles?
So, luxury asphalt shingles are the longest-lasting type of asphalt shingle. For many homeowners, a luxury asphalt shingle roof will most likely be the last roof they ever have to get.
However, there are multiple brands and lines to choose from. That's why you need to know what options are available if you're genuinely considering luxury shingles.
Let's look at the best luxury asphalt shingles, what they offer, and what warranties they come with.
CertainTeed Grand Manor 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 mean they’re extremely durable against storm damage. On top of that, it also makes them a very long-lasting asphalt shingle option.
Homeowners can count on Grand Manor to provide:
- 9 color options (availability varies by location)
- Tear resistance
- Class 4 Impact-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class A Fire-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class F Wind-Resistance (110 mph)
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. CertainTeed will even provide a 10 or 25-year workmanship warranty if they’re installed with a 5-star certification.
CertainTeed Belmont IR shingles
CertainTeed’s Belmont luxury asphalt shingle is a luxury asphalt shingle designed to look like natural slate with multi-positioned tabs that provide realistic depth and dimension. They are manufactured with top-grade asphalt on a strong fiberglass base mat and are also designed to resist algae growth.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
The algae resistance is great, but Belmont luxury asphalt shingles also offer:
- 5 color options (availability varies by location)
- Tear resistance
- Class 4 Impact-Resistance Rating
- Class A Fire-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class F Wind-Resistance (110 mph)
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)
Belmont IR shingle colors are limited due to the slate look. However, the added reinforcement gives them a Class 4 Impact-Resistance (highest possible), which means they'll stand up well to whatever mother nature throws at them.
CertainTeed Carriage House 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, which provides a unique handcrafted look.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
The one-of-a-kind look is one thing, but Carriage house shingles also come with:
- 9 color options (availability varies by location)
- Tear resistance
- Class 4 Impact-Resistance Rating
- Class A Fire-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class F Wind-Resistance (110 mph)
- Wind-driven rain resistance
Like all CertainTeed shingles, they come with the standard lifetime-limited transferable warranty. However, they Carriage House 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 (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.
CertainTeed Presidential Shake 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 unique multi-layer design.
(Photo provided by certainteed.com)
The installation also creates a "locking system", which ensures Presidential Shake shingles withstand wind and heavy rain. Presidential Shake shingles also come with:
- 6 color options (availability varies by location)
- Tear resistance
- Class 3 Impact-Resistance Rating
- Class A Fire-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class F Wind-Resistance (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.
GAF Grand Sequoia AS 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, these luxury shingles come with:
- 5 color options (availability varies by location)
- Tear resistance
- Class 4 Impact-Resistance Rating
- Class A Fire-Resistance Rating (highest rating available)
- Class F Wind-Resistance (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.
Are luxury asphalt shingles right for you?
After reading this article, you now know that luxury shingles are the longest lasting shingle type and the best luxury shingles to consider. However, knowing them and deciding if they're right for you are completely different.
In fact, the long lifespan comes at a price that 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.
