Architectural shingles are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to boost their home’s curb appeal and value. The highest-rated architectural shingle combines style and function to improve your house’s curb appeal for a long time. Many homeowners wonder how they can compare the leading brands and pick the best option. There are numerous types of asphalt shingles and manufacturers in the US. Out of these, we will discuss the top 5 architectural shingles of 2023.
At Epic Exteriors Roofing, we are dedicated to helping homeowners make the right roofing decisions. Being a family-owned business, we understand the value of the safety and comfort you want for yourself and your loved ones. If you are looking for new roofing shingles or you need a complete roof replacement, we are here with our brief guide on architectural shingles and how to pick the right roofing shingle for your home.
The top 5 shingles are from GAF, Owens Corning, Atlas, CertainTeed, and Malarkey. While the fire resistance of their laminated shingles is similar, what makes them different is their composition, nailing technology, color options, and cost.
GAF is the oldest and most advanced manufacturer of roofing materials. You might be surprised to know that the company was founded in 1886! GAF’s impressive portfolio includes the 2011 Innovation Award, the Architects Choice for Excellence Award, and the Builder’s Choice Award. Numerous studies mention GAF’s name with #1 ratings for quality and innovation.
GAF Timberline HDZ shingles currently sit at the top of the list for being America’s #1 selling architectural shingle in 2023.
These architectural shingles have the highest protection against algae or moss infestation. Their StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection technology has a 25-year warranty against dark algae stains, whereas other brands cover a shorter period.
Timberline has the industry’s widest nailing zone, the StrikeZone nailing area. With GAF’s LayerLock technology and Dura Grip sealant, Timberline HDZ currently offers the best possible shingle installation. LayerLock is a powerful technology that seals the dimensional shingles to each other during the installation.
While other shingle manufacturers have limited wind warranties, GAF stands out from the competition. The Timberline range has Infinite Wind Speed Protection- Industry’s first and highest wind warranty. This covers the maximum wind speeds and strong winds with hurricane force that can possibly hit your area.
Class A fire rating is the highest level of fire resistance for any asphalt shingle. This means Timberline architectural shingles pass the most severe fire tests designed by the US fire department.
GAF Timberline Solar is the future of clean energy and eco-friendly roofing. Where most people have solar panels on their roofs, you can save costs and stand out from the crowd by getting the first solar architectural shingles that are waterproof and easily nailable.
GAF Timberline shingles come with the widest and most appealing looks in the market. You can choose from over 20 colors and patterns, whereas most brands offer fewer choices.
GAF Timberline HDZ shingles fall in an economical range, making them all the more popular and the most reasonable choice for homes. On average, people spend between $6,000 to $8,000 on installing Timberline architectural shingles.
GAF offers 10, 30, and 50-year warranty periods. Prolonged warranties are applicable when you install a few essential shingle accessories provided by the brand and hire a GAF-certified roofing contractor. The Timberline range qualifies for all types of warranties.
Owens Corning is known to be the most affordable shingle manufacturer in the US. They are the winners of the 2023 Women’s Choice Awards for offering the most recommended shingles.
The cost to install Owens Corning Duration shingles is approximately $6,000 to $12,000 for an average American home with a 2,000-square-foot roof. The basic Owens Corning shingle warranty covers ten years.
CertainTeed is known to be among the high-end brands, as most of its products are priced higher than average. The same goes for the brand’s architectural shingles, as they cost more than the competitors’. The price difference is mainly due to CertainTeed’s quality standards and customization options for homeowners.
The cost to install CertainTeed Landmark Pro shingles runs between $12,000 to $15000. These have a 10-year starting warranty and are eligible for CertainTeed’s Lifetime Limited Warranty of 50 years on laminate shingles. However, people often find their extended warranties expensive.
While most shingles are made of recycled materials, Malarkey is among the premium shingle manufacturers known for their additional eco-friendly efforts. The brand plants two trees for each roof installed and utilizes plastic bags and tires from landfills.
The average cost of installing Malarkey Vista architectural shingles ranges between $10,000 to $12000.
Atlas is a comparatively new brand to manufacture shingles, but they have been contributing to the construction industry since 1982. They offer limited shingle lines, like Malarkey and CertainTeed, but are relatively more affordable than the two manufacturers.
There’s a slight debate on Atlas’ warranties, as multiple homeowners reported that the company rejected their warranties. So it’s better to consult your local roofing contractor who has installed Atlas roofing shingles before making any decisions.
While all the top manufacturers make sturdy shingles, two more factors affect brand warranties and determine how strong and long-lasting your roof will be.
Architectural shingles are also called dimensional shingles and laminated shingles. They are the upgraded version of the traditional 3-tab shingles with high-quality composition. The most noticeable difference between architectural and 3-tab shingles is their appearance.
All these qualities are why most homeowners choose architectural shingles for their homes. Below are the five highest-rated architectural shingles of 2023– based on performance and reviews.
The first factor is the installation quality and the roofing contractor you choose. Extended and lifetime warranties are only applicable when you select brand-certified or preferred contractors. Certified contractors are trained and qualified to work with high-quality asphalt shingles and provide flawless installation. It’s almost as important as the manufacturer of roofing material in determining how well the shingles perform over time. Architectural shingles typically last for 30-40 years with proper installation and regular maintenance.
Another critical factor affecting shingle strength is your local climate. For example, if you live in an area where storms, high winds, flash floods, or heavy snow are expected every year, it’s better to pick shingles with the highest protection and warranty against such weather damage. If you live in coastal areas such as Ocean County, or Monmouth County in New Jersey, GAF will be your best option for architectural roofing shingles.
However, many homeowners ask us: What makes a good brand? Is it the product quality and cost or customer service and warranty? Well, the answer isn’t simple. A lot goes in, and it’s essential for you to know that your shingle brand is trustworthy.
At Epic Exteriors Roofing, we offer a free consultation to all homeowners. Our roofing experts are GAF-Certified Weather Stoppers, and we are proud of our dedication and expertise. Curious why we’ve chosen to work with GAF? It’s because our roofing experts have assessed that GAF is the best shingle manufacturer for New Jersey homes. Our team has been fortifying homes for years, and you can trust them just as we do.
Call us at (609) 342-9829, and one of our experts will answer all your questions about architectural shingles and the installation process. If you want to consider more options, we’ll help you choose the right asphalt shingles.
With high quality products and considerate service, we will work together with you to enhance your business and improve the efficiency. Please don't hesitate to contact us to get more details of asphalt shingles manufacturer.