CertainTeed is considered one of the asphalt shingle industry’s top-tier manufacturers for quality and performance. But is it?
Lines like Presidential Shake and super-premium Grand Manor shingles live up to CertainTeed’s reputation; the brand’s largest line, the mid-level Landmark shingles, don’t get the ratings you might expect – ratings are discussed below.
Overview of Options and Cost
CertainTeed carries a huge selection of shingle products from their luxury, mid-grade dimensional or designer shingles, to their standard strip shingles, aka 3-tab shingles.
CertainTeed products tend to be slightly more expensive than most other brands at the top end. But these premium shingles do get generally high marks for durability and longevity. And they are backed by Lifetime warranties.
Asphalt Shingles
$8,500 Average Cost |
Metal Roof
$15,500 Average Cost |
Flat Roof Membrane
$11,500 Average Cost |
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All lines considered; CertainTeed shingles typically cost between $4.00 and $8.50 per square foot installed – that’s the same as saying $400 to $850 per square (100 square feet of roofing) installed.
This comprehensive CertainTeed shingles guide provides information on all their roofing products, shingle costs, and pros and cons, so you can make the best decision for your home and even compare CertainTeed to GAF, Owens Corning, Atlas, and Malarkey.
In this review we start with CertainTeed Landmark shingles then move to the premium or luxury shingles, and then the standard strip or 3-tab shingles.
What’s available where you live? Not all products and shingle colors are available in all areas. For instance, Solaris, which are cool roof shingles, aren’t sold outside the sunbelt/West. And ClimateFlex shingles are mainly a cold-climate shingle.
Landmark Series
The Landmark Series shingles cost between $75 and $175 per square for just the shingles, depending on the specific line. You’ll find pricing for all the Landmark shingles in the chart below.
Landmark shingles in eight lines are CertainTeed’ best sellers. They are mid-level dimensional shingles and offer a lot of options including algae and impact resistance. The dual-layer construction is designed to “emulate the dimensionality of true wood shakes” including the shadowing you get with thicker layers and tabs.
Is it true? CertainTeed claims that these dual-layer shingles have the toughest fiberglass mat in the industry at their core – though it’s unclear whether that’s been demonstrated in independent testing.
Landmark
Standard Landmark shingles are very basic shingles.
Construction includes CertainTeed’s NailTrak reinforced nailing area with bright lines indicating its location. This helps contractors quickly and accurately nail the shingles in place. Landmark basic shingles are available in 24 color choices total but expect to find 10-16 offered where you live.
Are Landmark shingles any good? They are mediocre at best. One independent testing agency with a good reputation, Consumer Reports, places these shingles near the bottom of its architectural shingle list with a score of 53. Owens Corning Duration, GAF Timberline, Atlas Pinnacle Pristine and even Tamko Heritage outperformed them in testing.
Landmark TL
Landmark TL is a triple-layer shingle with a high-contrast color palette. The purpose of these features is to give it the roof thicker dimension and further enhance the look of cedar shakes. While you won’t mistake them for wood shakes, the thicker shingles do make for a more robust appearance.
Landmark Pro
These shingles feature the same construction as the Landmark but with thicker layers of asphalt for more durability and come in Max Def (maximum definition) colors including Espresso, Coastal Blue, and Red Oak. Max Def colors are created through a richer mixture of surface granules providing added visual dimension to the shingle.
Landmark Premium
Landmark Premium is a very heavy shingle, and at 300 pounds per square, outweighs most other 2-layer shingles. It is also available in a wide range of Max Def colors.
Landmark ClimateFlex
Landmark Climate Flex uses a polymer-modified asphalt resulting in a shingle that offers a Class 4 impact resistant rating for excellent protection against hail. Landmark ClimateFlex also provides a high level of granule adhesion and crack and shrink resistance.
ClimateFlex remains pliable in cold weather allowing year-round installation without the shingles becoming stiff and brittle.
Landmark Solaris
A good choice for hot, sunny climates, Landmark Solaris uses “cool roof” technology to create an asphalt shingle with a cedar shake inspiration. The Solaris can reflect up to 44% of solar energy, depending on shingle color, reducing the temperature of the roof and heat transfer into living spaces, saving on air conditioning costs.
Landmark Solaris shingles are rated by the Cool Roofing Rating Council and comply with cool roof requirements. These shingles may also qualify for LEED, NAHB, and other green programs.
Landmark TL Solaris
The triple-layer Landmark TL is available with Solaris cool roof technology creating a heavy, durable shingle that reflects solar heat.
Landmark Pro Solaris
The Landmark Solaris Pro is exactly the same as the Landmark Solaris but is available in Max Def cool-roof color choices.
Landmark Warranties
All Landmark shingles hold a Lifetime, transferable warranty against manufacturing defects, a 10-year SureStart warranty (it isn’t prorated for the first decade), a 15-year 110 mph wind resistance warranty that increases to 130 mph with additional nails. You get a 10- or 15-year algae warranty depending on the specific line.
Landmark Series | |
Landmark | Basic Dimensional |
Colors | 24 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $75 – $90 per square |
Installed Cost | $335 – $495 per square |
Landmark TL | Triple Laminate |
Colors | 5 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $90 – $110 per square |
Installed Cost | $350 – $505 per square |
Landmark Pro | Max Def Colors |
Colors | 23 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $115 – $130 per square |
Installed Cost | $375 – $530 per square |
Landmark Premium | Heavy Weight |
Colors | 9 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $145 – $155 per square |
Installed Cost | $400 – $560 per square |
Landmark ClimateFlex | Polymer-Modified |
Colors | 6 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $160 – $175 per square |
Installed Cost | $415 – $585 per square |
Landmark Solaris | Cool Roof Rating Council |
Colors | 14 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $105 – $120 per square |
Installed Cost | $370 – $510 per square |
Landmark TL Solaris | Cool Roof Rating Council/Triple Laminate |
Colors | 3 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $120 – $140 per square |
Installed Cost | $395 – $535 per square |
Landmark Pro Solaris | Cool Roof Rating Council/Max Def Colors |
Colors | 8 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $140 – $160 per square |
Installed Cost | $420 – $550 per square |
Premium Luxury Shingles
While Landmark is a top seller in the midrange, dimensional shingle category, some homeowners prefer to pay a higher price for premium luxury shingles for their added thickness and appearance of depth.
Premium luxury shingles will cost somewhere between $150 and $250 per roofing square for just the shingles. And again, you will find more detailed costs below.
The most luxury shingles of any brand. This is one area that sets CertainTeed apart. It offers a large selection of luxury shingles with a variety of options including dual and triple layer construction, algae, and impact resistance, as well as Cool Roof Rating Council choices.
The Presidential Series
CertainTeed’s other large shingle series is the Presidential Shake series. These are all premium, luxury multi-layered shingles with sculpted tabs and deep shadow lines with the intent of replicating the dimensionality and feel of a cedar shake. The Presidential shingles are some of the heaviest asphalt shingles on the market weighing in at between 350 and 470 pounds per square.
Presidential Shake
This shingle offers fiberglass-based, dual-layer construction and is made with additional asphalt for extra protection against heavy weather. The thicker layers might also better insulate your attic against heat penetration.
Presidential Shake TL
Presidential Shake TL has triple layers of fiberglass-core asphalt providing additional strength overall, storm and hail resistance. At about 470 pounds per roofing square, this is the heaviest shingle that CertainTeed makes.
Presidential Shake AR and Presidential Shake TL AR
These are algae resistant versions of Presidential Shake and Presidential Shake TL. They include StreakGuard, technology which provides reliable, long –term algae resistance through the use of granules layered with copper.
Presidential Shake IR
Presidential Shake IR gives you all the features and appearance of the Presidential Shake shingle. But it is upgraded along with superior impact resistance through the addition of a tough, fiberglass base sheet reinforcement added to the underside.
This shingle passes the UL 2218 Class 4 Impact-Resistant rating. This means that in testing, it withstood the impact of a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet high. The GAF Timberline AS II is another shingle with the same UL impact rating.
Will this save you money on insurance? In some areas known for high winds and wind-blown debris, you may be able to receive a discount from your homeowner’s insurance with this shingle.
Presidential Solaris and Presidential Solaris TL
If you live in a hot, sunny climate, and want a high-performing luxury shingle with cool roof technology, these shingles are good choices. Both use innovative technology to create a shingle that will reflect solar energy in traditional color choices. The colors are all rated by Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) and meet California’s Title 24 requirements for cool, steep slope roofing.
Presidential Warranties
All Presidential shingles carry a Lifetime Limited, transferable warranty on any manufacturing defects. Presidential shingles also all carry 10-year SureStart protection and a 10-year 110/130 mph wind resistance warranty which is upgradable to a 10-year 130 mph resistant warranty with specific installation.
In addition, the Presidential Shake AR and Presidential Shake TL AR also hold 15-year algae resistance StreakFighter warranties.
Presidential Series – | |
Presidential Shake | Dual Laminate Luxury |
Colors | 7 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $160 – $185 per square |
Installed Cost | $445 – $580 per square |
Presidential Shake TL | Triple Laminate Luxury |
Colors | 5 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $170 – $190 per square |
Installed Cost | $460 – $615 per square |
Presidential Shake TL Solaris | Cool Roof Rating Council/Triple Laminate Luxury |
Colors | 4 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $180 – $205 per square |
Installed Cost | $495 – $640 per square |
Presidential Shake IR | Impact Resistant Luxury |
Colors | 4 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $200 – $235 per square |
Installed Cost | $520 – $690 per square |
Presidential Solaris | Cool Roof Rating Council/Dual Laminate Luxury |
Colors | 4 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $195 – $220 per square |
Installed Cost | $500 – $675 per square |
Grand Manor
Grand Manor is Cetainteed’s top-of-the-line premium shingle. It is constructed with two full-sized fiberglass-based shingles fused together. The top layer includes randomly applied tabs for a more authentic shake look. The result is 5 layers of roof protection when installed with an underlayment
Grand Manor shingles are made algae-resistant with copper layered granules to prevent discoloration or streaking and are resistant to blow-off in 110 mph winds with normal installation. They come with a Limited Lifetime, transferable warranty, a 15-year algae warranty called StreakFighter™, a 10-year SureStart ™ warranty that provides 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects, and a 15-year 110/130 mph wind resistance warranty.
Carriage House
These luxury shingles feature deep 8-inch tabs, cut-away corners, and wide shadow lines. The goal is to create the look of a scalloped-edge slate roof with a Victorian feel. Carriage House shingles are made with 2 full-size shingles fused for four-layer roof protection.
Carriage House are Class A fire rated, rated to withstand 110 mph winds, and are algae resistant. They come with a Limited Lifetime, transferable warranty, Cetainteed’s 15-year algae warranty- StreakFighter, and a 10-year SureStart non-prorated warranty that provides 100% replacement and labor costs due to manufacturing defects.
Belmont/Belmont IR
The Belmont, made with deep shadow lines for a dimensional, slate appearance, is a high-performing asphalt shingle. The Belmont IR shingles are constructed with a tough fiberglass base mat and a durable reinforcement on the underside providing a Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating available.
Belmont and Belmont IR shingles are both algae resistant, Class A fire rated, and standard 110 mph wind warranty that can be upgraded to 130 mph with enhanced installation. They carry a Limited Lifetime, transferable warranty against manufacturer defects, a 10 year SureStart warranty, and a 15 year algae warranty.
Northgate ClimateFlex
Northgate ClimateFlex uses a premium roofing asphalt with a specialized SBS modifier. Slightly heavier than the Landmark ClimateFlex, this shingle is a dependable choice for homes located in cold climates where high winds are common.
The added strength of the SBS modifier provides more tear and nail-pull resistance and allows the shingles to remain flexible at a temperature of 0°F.
Northgate ClimateFlex is also algae resistant. Warranties include a Limited Lifetime, transferable warranty, a 15-year StreakFighter warranty, a 10-year SureStart warranty.
Grand Manor | Luxury Slate-Look |
Colors | 8 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $250 – $295 per square |
Installed Cost | $560 – $815 per square |
Carriage House | Luxury Scalloped Corners |
Colors | 8 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $245 – $275 per square |
Installed Cost | $580- $770 per square |
Belmont | Luxury |
Colors | 6 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $240 – $290 per square |
Installed Cost | $575 – $785 per square |
Belmont IR | Luxury Impact Resistant |
Colors | 6 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110/130 |
Retail Cost | $255 – $295 per square |
Installed Cost | $590 – $800 per square |
Northgate ClimateFlex | SBS-Modified |
Colors | 11 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110 |
Retail Cost | $240 – $280 per square |
Installed Cost | $570 – $775 per square |
Strip Shingles
CertainTeed offers three choices in strip or 3-tab shingles with costs for materials ranging between $115 and $155 per square. See the chart below for individual product costs.
Highland Slate
Highland Slate is an oversized strip shingle with an extra-heavy fiberglass mat intended to improve performance in high winds and other heavy weather.
At 240 pounds per square, it’s likely the heaviest 3-tab shingle on the market. These shingles are manufactured with the texture, tone, and appearance of natural slate with dark shadow lines and individually colored tabs.
The shingle is single-layer fiberglass-based construction, is algae resistant, holds a Class A fire rating, and a Limited Lifetime warranty, a 15-year StreakFighter warranty, a 1 year Sure Start warranty, and a 15-year 110 mph wind resistant warranty.
Patriot
Patriot is a beefy, single-layer, asphalt, strip shingle with the look of an architectural shingle. It’s created to mimic a multi-layered shingle through the use of CertainTeed’s color technology which blends intricate color drops with intermittent shadow lines. Patriot shingles come with a 30-year Limited, transferable warranty, a 10-year StreakFighter warranty, a 10-year 110mph warranty, and an 8-year SureStart warranty.
XT25
This is CertainTeed’s most economical shingle. Let’s make that “cheapest” shingle. However, this makes it a top-seller. The XT25 is a traditional or strip shingle with a fiberglass base and comes with a 25-year Limited, transferable warranty, a 5-year SureStart warranty, a 10-year StreakFighter warranty, and a 5-year, 60 mph wind resistance warranty.
Avoid this shingle! The XT25 is by far Consumer Reports’ lowest rated 3 tab shingle, garnering a 41 score compared to 60 for Atlas Glassmaster, 59 for Owens Corning Supreme and 52 for GAF Royal Sovereign. The XT25 scores especially low on overall strength and impact resistance.
Highland Slate | Slate-look Strip Shingle |
Colors | 5 |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110 |
Retail Cost | $140 – $155 per square |
Installed Cost | $420 – $560 per square |
Patriot | Architectural – Style Strip Shingle |
Colors | 3 |
Warranty | 30 Year Limited Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 110 |
Retail Cost | $135 – $150 per square |
Installed Cost | $420 – $550 per square |
XT25 | Economical Strip Shingle |
Colors | 16 |
Warranty | 25 Year Limited Transferable |
Wind Speed Warranty | 60 |
Retail Cost | $115 – $135 per square |
Installed Cost | per square |
Asphalt Shingles
$8,500 Average Cost |
Metal Roof
$15,500 Average Cost |
Flat Roof Membrane
$11,500 Average Cost |
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Integrity Roof System
All major manufacturers have complete deck to ridge product lines. Integrity is CertainTeed’s. The idea, in addition to getting homeowners to pay for more products, is that a set of materials designed to work together will perform better. Count us as skeptics.
The Integrity Roof System includes:
WinterGuard waterproof shingle underlayment preventing leaks from wind-driven rain and ice dams.
- A second layer of water-resistant underlayment over the roof deck provides an additional barrier against leaks.
- Starter shingles designed to complement and work together with CertainTeed shingles.
- CertainTeed roof shingles.
- Hip and Ridge Caps to coordinate with CertainTeed shingles.
- Proper roof ventilation.
Warranty Limitations
Some of the limitations on CertainTeed’s warranties require that their shingles be installed following their recommended installation instructions, that a CertainTeed-approved roof deck be used, and that the roof be properly ventilated.
Non-compliance may cause the warranty to be void. The full warranty is available on the CertainTeed website.
SureStart Warranty
The SureStart warranty covers 100% of shingle replacement cost and labor if there are manufacturer’s defects. The original warranty is for 10 years on all products except for the XT25, which is for 5 years. The warranty can be upgraded to a SureStart Plus warranty of 20 or 50 years.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
CertainTeed shingles come with many positives including these features:
CertainTeed Shingles Are Heavy
CertainTeed manufactures its shingles with more asphalt than other brands. More weight ideally makes them more durable, impact and wind tear resistant, and longer lasting.
The luxury and dimensional shingles weigh between 250 and 470 pounds per roofing square and even the strip shingles weigh 200 plus pounds per square. Other brands weigh about 160 to 300 pounds per square.
StreakFighter
Algae will stain shingles and degrade their ability to reflect sunlight. All of CertainTeed’s shingles, even the strip shingles, are made with StreakFighter technology in the granules.
This treatment includes a layer of copper oxide, a proven algaecide, between the mineral core and the ceramic pigment coating. The slow-release copper oxide provides long-term protection against algae.
SureStart
All CertainTeed shingles include a SureStart warranty period. During the warranty period, the warranty is not prorated and provides 100% of both the cost of shingles and the labor, to either repair or replace them, if they are defective.
QuadraBond
QuadraBond technology firmly bonds the layers of the shingle together providing better performance in wind and weather, and allows them to resist delamination, i.e. shingle layers coming apart.
CertaSeal
Every asphalt shingle from every brand has an adhesive strip on the back of it to bond it to other shingles and to the roof. CertaSeal is CertainTeed’s high-grade adhesive made from a mix of asphalts and polymers that seals shingles in place primarily to resist shingle uplift caused by high winds.
NailTrak
The NailTrak wide nailing area on shingles includes three bright, well-defined lines providing roofing contractors the ability to install the roof quickly and accurately.
Disadvantages
The biggest concern with CertainTeed is whether the higher cost is backed with superior quality.
CertainTeed shingles typically cost more than other brands. In some lines, particularly the Presidential Shake and Grand Manor, the higher cost is backed by excellent quality.
With the XT25 and the Landmark shingles, paying more doesn’t get you more. They probably aren’t worth it.
Homeowners should know that CertainTeed’s extended warranties are expensive and can add up to 15% to material cost.
The extended warranty requires you to have the roof installed by a qualified CertainTeed installer which will likely add to labor costs. Plus, a complete tear-off must be done, and then you must use CertainTeed products from underlayment to ridge shingles to qualify.
What CertainTeed Shingles Are Available in Your Area?
It varies quite a lot, especially in which lines are offered. Color options differ too. Here’s a quick sampling from around the country – the number and names of the lines available in each place.
- Boston, MA – 10 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont, Presidential Shake & TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Northgate ClimateFlex and XT25).
- Charlotte, NC – 12 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont & IR, Presidential Shake/IR/TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Highland Slate and XT25).
- Miami, FL – 12 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont & IR, Presidential Shake/IR/TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Highland Slate and XT25).
- Chicago, IL – 13 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont & IR, Presidential Shake/IR/TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Highland Slate, XT25 and Northgate ClimateFlex).
- Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX – 13 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont & IR, Presidential Shake/IR/TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Highland Slate, XT25 and Landmark ClimateFlex).
- Oklahoma City, OK – 14 Lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Belmont & IR, Presidential Shake/IR/TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium, Highland Slate, XT25, Northgate ClimateFlex and Landmark ClimateFlex).
- Seattle, WA – 13 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Presidential Shake & TL, Landmark/Pro/Premium/Solaris, Highland Slate, XT25, Patriot, Northgate ClimateFlex and Landmark ClimateFlex).
- Los Angeles, CA – 14 lines (Grand Manor, Carriage House, Presidential Shake/Solaris/TL/TL Solaris, Landmark/Premium/TL/Solaris/TL Solaris/Pro/Pro Solaris, Highland Slate).
CertainTeed Solar Roof Systems
Yes, CertainTeed makes Solaris cool-roof shingles.
But the company also offers true solar roofing systems. In our opinion, this is one of the best things about this brand that otherwise is known for average-to-good asphalt shingles at prices higher than average.
You have three options for integrating solar into your roof.
Apollo II Solar Shingles and Apollo II Tiles
The visual appearance of the shingles and tiles are slightly different, but the shape of the products and their specifications are identical.
These are 73-watt shingles and tiles designed with a flatter profile than panels. The 2.7 pounds per square foot weight of the shingles is about the same as asphalt, lighter than many of CertainTeed’s shingles. Tiles weigh 3.1 pounds per square foot.
The solar shingles and tiles clip together for easy installation and to give you the total wattage you want. The system mounts directly to the roof deck.
The Apollo II shingle and tile systems include these components:
Monocrystalline shingles, waterproof underlayment, flashing, wind clips, wiring, optional inverter, and optional monitoring system. Your solar installer will need to supply the energy storage equipment.
Solstice Solar Panels – Current System Upgrade Only
These are traditional, low-profile solar panels. They are designed to be added to an existing solar power system rather than being a stand-alone option. PV modules/panels, the mounting system, and inverters or microinverters are system components. Solstice does not offer an energy storage system.
If your solar energy system is owned by a third party such as your utility company, it is unlikely that your contract allows you to upgrade it using Solstice panels.