Believe it or not, there are researchers, such as those from Consumer Reports, who do comprehensive tests on asphalt roofing shingles. The most recent occurred in 2019 to find which shingles held up against the competition and honored their claims. According to most manufacturers, asphalt shingles should be able to last between 10-50 years after installation. The less expensive the shingle, the less durability it has. Supposedly. Thus, the testing looked into the resilience of asphalt shingles in various weather conditions, such as precipitation and high winds.
Relevant: How To Select Shingles For Your Home
Which shingles came out on top? Would professional roofers recommend those shingles? Let’s find out!
How Shingles Are Tested and Rated
Three popular types of asphalt shingles were used in the research: architectural/laminated, multilayered architectural, and 3-tab. Presently, the most commonly used is the 3-tab asphalt shingle. Single-layer 3-tab shingles are rated for winds around 96 kph (60 mph) and can withstand moderate impacts from hail or debris. Architectural/laminated shingles are slightly stronger since they have several layers. The strongest asphalt shingle is multilayered architectural, which can withstand winds up to 177 kph (110 mph).
A machine called Instron is used to impact the thickest, strongest section of the shingle followed by an impact to the thinnest sections. Usually, it is the thinner areas, like the edges of a shingle, that are prone to cracking or tearing first, leading to leaks and other issues. Following that, free weights are dropped from various heights to see how the shingles respond to debris. Then, the shingles are exposed to 500 hours worth of intense UV rays. The cost of the shingle was also considered in.
Best Brands For Shingles
Here are the brands that come recommended by roofers and researchers alike:
CertainTeed
One of the most well-known and highly rated brands for residential laminate shingles. CertainTeed shingles come in an array of colors and styles, including cedar shake roofing (Landmark series). CertainTeed is considered top-of-the-line in North America, so you can count on excellent quality, craftsmanship, and long warranties (including a 15 year algae resistant warranty).
Recommended CertainTeed Shingles:
- CertainTeed Grand Manor – multilayered laminated shingles that come with a 10 year warranty and multiple color choices. Rated excellent in performance.
- CertainTeed Presidential Shake
- CertainTeed Landmark – comes with 44 color options.
- CertainTeed Landmark Premium
- CertainTeed XT-25
GAF-Elk
GAF-Elk offers designer-quality shingles with beautiful colors and durability all at an affordable price. Their Timberline series is 47% larger than other shingles of similar construction. If you install Lifetime shingles, you get covered by a lifetime warranty, too.
Recommended GAF-Elk Shingles:
- GAF-Elk Royal Sovereign – 3-tab roofing shingles that are lightweight but resilient.
- GAF-Elk Timberline Natural Shadow – laminated shingles that come in 7 different colors.
- GAF-Elk Camelot Lifetime Designer
Owens Corning
Often compared to GAF-Elk, Tamko, and Atlas, Owens Corning makes multiple kinds of shingles for every type of home and aesthetic. The brand’s composition shingles have both budget-friendly and luxury priced options.
Recommended Owens Corning Shingles:
- Owens Corning Berkshire Collection – heavy duty multilayered laminate asphalt shingles. These shingles were rated as one of the best options for performance, aesthetics, and quality.
- Owens Corning Oakridge
- Owens Corning Duration
How To Choose The Best Shingles For Your Home
Now that you have seen the roofer’s top choices for shingles for your home, it is important to learn how to choose the best shingle out of the bunch. No two homes are truly alike, since your needs will differ from other homeowners. That being said, there are common considerations you need to keep in mind when searching for your next shingles.
It can seem daunting. You need to think about composition, price, style, colors, and climate. Keep in mind that the cheapest shingles are not going to last as long as pricier options.
Cost
The above mentioned brands all have ranges of shingles that can meet your budget. Although one section of shingles might appear affordable, remember that you need to calculate the total surface area of your roof. Once you have figured out the total roofing area of your home, add 10 percent to that number, since you may make mistakes. Multiply the total by the cost of a single square of shingles to get a rough estimate. You may also want to consider the cost of maintenance in the long run.
Warranty
Usually, the more expensive a shingle is per square, the longer it will last. This is due to a number of things, such as the thickness of the shingle or the materials it is made from. Most manufacturers have 30 year warranties, but some may provide a lifetime warranty, so if anything unfortunate happens to your roof, you’re covered. If you are concerned about a company honoring their warranty, it is best to stick with a trusted, reputable name brand rather than a lesser known start-up.
Shingle Type
Next, consider type of shingle you want. As stated previously, there’s three: 3-tab, laminate, and multilayered architectural. 3-tab is considered standard and are always a great choice for affordability matched with durability. Laminates come with the durability of 3-tab shingles but have a nicer look overall. Some laminates are shakes or come with unique shapes (rectangular, triangular, scalloped). Others are embossed to look like stone. Keep in mind that the materials used for certain shingles will increase the price and longevity.
Colors
Different brands provide different color options. You may even be able to request customized palettes, depending on the manufacturer. Choose a color that fits the style of your home.
Conclusion
Next time you find yourself shopping for roofing, think like your friendly neighborhood roofer and compare ratings online. A little research will get you much farther, because you will see how each type of roof performs. Now that you know the top-rated kinds of shingles available, you should be able to make a more informed choice.
If you need help selecting shingles and would like advice from a qualified roofing contractor, send us a message or call! We’re more than happy to answers your questions.
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