GAF vs. Owens Corning vs. CertainTeed: Which Shingle Brand Is Best?

GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed are the three largest asphalt shingle manufacturers in North America, and together they account for the vast majority of residential shingles installed each year. All three make quality products, but they differ in their product lines, warranty structures, contractor programs, and pricing.

This guide compares the three brands across the factors that matter most to homeowners choosing shingles for a new roof.

Company Overviews

GAF

GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, producing roughly one out of every four shingles installed in the United States. The company has been in business since 1886 and is now owned by Standard Industries. Their flagship product, the Timberline HDZ, is the best-selling shingle in North America. GAF operates multiple manufacturing plants across the U.S., ensuring wide availability.

Owens Corning

Owens Corning is a Fortune 500 company best known for their pink fiberglass insulation but equally significant in roofing. They manufacture shingles, underlayment, ventilation, and accessories. Their Duration series is their most popular architectural shingle line. Owens Corning's distinctive advantage is that they manufacture their own fiberglass mat (the base material in asphalt shingles), giving them control over a key raw material.

CertainTeed

CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest building materials companies. They've been manufacturing roofing products since 1904. Their Landmark series is their core architectural shingle, and their premium lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House) are widely regarded as some of the most aesthetically impressive asphalt shingles available. CertainTeed also manufactures siding, trim, and other exterior products.

Product Lines Compared

Standard Architectural Shingles

GAF Timberline HDZ: Features LayerLock technology that creates a mechanical bond between shingles for enhanced wind resistance (up to 130 mph). StainGuard Plus algae resistance comes standard. Available in 20+ colors. The HDZ is the current generation, replacing the popular Timberline HD.

Owens Corning Duration: Known for SureNail technology — a reinforced nailing strip that provides a visible target for accurate nail placement and a strong bond. TruDefinition color technology creates richer color blends. Rated for 130 mph winds. Available in 20+ colors.

CertainTeed Landmark: Features Max Def color technology with a wide range of color options (24+ colors in most markets). Dual-layer construction with a 110 mph wind rating. CertainTeed offers one of the broadest color selections in the industry.

Premium/Designer Shingles

GAF: Camelot (slate look), Grand Sequoia (wood shake look), Grand Canyon (extra-thick dimensional). Premium prices but strong aesthetics.

Owens Corning: Berkshire (slate look), Duration Premium (enhanced architectural). Fewer premium options than GAF or CertainTeed.

CertainTeed: Grand Manor (slate look), Carriage House (wood shake look), Presidential Shake (thick cedar shake look). CertainTeed is widely considered to have the strongest premium shingle lineup of the three.

Impact-Resistant Shingles

All three offer Class 4 impact-resistant shingles for areas prone to hail:

• GAF: Timberline AS II (ArmorShield)
• Owens Corning: Duration FLEX
• CertainTeed: Landmark IR

Warranty Comparison

All three brands offer limited lifetime warranties on their architectural shingles, but the details and conditions differ:

GAF Warranty System

GAF's base warranty (standard limited warranty) covers manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the original owner. To get enhanced warranty coverage, the installation must be performed by a GAF-certified contractor:

• System Plus: Certified contractor uses at least 3 GAF accessories. Adds 50-year coverage on materials and workmanship.
• Silver Pledge: Master Elite contractor uses at least 3 GAF accessories. Adds workmanship coverage.
• Golden Pledge: Master Elite contractor uses full GAF roof system. 25-year workmanship coverage, 50-year material coverage with no deductible, fully transferable for 20 years.

Owens Corning Warranty System

Owens Corning's base warranty covers manufacturing defects. Enhanced coverage through their Preferred Contractor program:

• Preferred Protection: Limited lifetime coverage with 10-year workmanship warranty when installed by an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor.
• Platinum Protection: Platinum Preferred Contractors can offer lifetime material warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage with an Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System.

CertainTeed Warranty System

CertainTeed offers one of the most comprehensive warranty programs, especially through their contractor tiers:

• SureStart: Standard warranty with full material and labor coverage during the initial SureStart period (varies by product, typically 10 years), then prorated material coverage.
• 5-Star: SELECT ShingleMaster contractor installs a qualifying CertainTeed system. 15-year SureStart plus 25-year workmanship coverage.

Contractor Programs

Each manufacturer operates a tiered contractor certification program that affects the warranty level available to homeowners:

GAF: Certified → Master Elite (top 2% of contractors nationally). Master Elite status requires proven volume, proper licensing/insurance, and commitment to ongoing training.

Owens Corning: Preferred → Platinum Preferred. Requires demonstrated competence, proper licensing, and commitment to the Owens Corning system.

CertainTeed: ShingleMaster → SELECT ShingleMaster. Requires credentialing exams and proven expertise.

From a homeowner's perspective, the contractor's certification level directly determines the warranty coverage you receive. A contractor certified at the highest tier with any of these manufacturers can offer you the best available warranty.

Price Comparison

Pricing varies by region and market conditions, but in general terms:

• GAF Timberline HDZ: Typically the most competitively priced of the three flagships due to GAF's massive production volume and wide distribution
• Owens Corning Duration: Priced similarly to or slightly above GAF in most markets
• CertainTeed Landmark: Often the most expensive of the three standard lines, though the difference is typically modest ($5-15 per square more than GAF)

On a typical 25-square roof, the material cost difference between brands for comparable products is usually $125-375 — a small fraction of the total project cost. Labor, tear-off, underlayment, and accessories account for the majority of a roof replacement cost.

Which Brand Should You Choose?

The honest answer: you can't go wrong with any of the three. All produce quality architectural shingles that perform well and carry strong warranties. The decision often comes down to practical factors:

Choose GAF if:

• Your contractor is GAF Master Elite certified and can offer Golden Pledge warranty
• You want the broadest color selection in the standard line
• Price competitiveness matters — GAF often comes in at the lowest price point

Choose Owens Corning if:

• Your contractor is Owens Corning Platinum Preferred
• The SureNail technology and visible nailing line appeal to you
• You value the TruDefinition color depth and appearance

Choose CertainTeed if:

• Your contractor is CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster
• You want premium or designer shingles — CertainTeed's top-tier products are hard to beat aesthetically
• Color selection is important — CertainTeed offers one of the widest palettes

The most important factor in your roof's performance isn't which of these three brands you choose — it's the quality of the installation. A properly installed roof with any of these shingles will outperform a poorly installed roof with any of them.

See Samples and Get a Quote

Peak Roofing installs all three brands and can show you samples of each during your free estimate. We'll help you compare colors, product features, and warranty options to find the best fit for your home and budget.

Call us at (704) 313-9341 or request your free estimate online.