When it’s time to replace your roof, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is choosing the right roofing material. For most homeowners, asphalt roofing shingles offer an excellent combination of durability, appearance, performance, and affordability.
But not all asphalt shingles are the same. Different styles, construction methods, and performance features can affect how your roof looks, how well it stands up to the weather, and how much you’ll spend.
CertainTeed offers asphalt roofing shingles ranging from basic strip shingles to architectural and luxury products. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right shingles for your home, budget, and local climate.
Why Are Asphalt Roofing Shingles So Popular?
Asphalt shingles are the most popular residential roofing material in North America. They are relatively affordable, easy for experienced roofing contractors to install, and available in a wide range of colors and styles. They also require minimal maintenance compared with many other roofing materials.
Today’s asphalt shingles can also provide the appearance of more expensive roofing materials, including natural wood shakes and slate, without the cost, weight, or maintenance requirements associated with those materials.
For homeowners, that means you don’t have to choose between performance and curb appeal. There are asphalt roofing shingles available for almost every architectural style and budget.
What Are Asphalt Roofing Shingles Made Of?
Asphalt shingles are composite roofing products. Although construction varies by product, architectural shingles are typically made using a fiberglass mat covered with water-resistant asphalt and protective mineral granules.
Each component serves an important purpose.
The fiberglass mat forms the foundation of the shingle and provides strength and stability. Asphalt provides the waterproofing that helps protect your home from rain and moisture. Mineral granules form the exposed surface of the shingle, helping protect it from the sun while providing its color and finished appearance.
Together, these materials create a roofing product designed to withstand years of exposure to sun, rain, snow, wind, and changing temperatures.
The Three Main Types of Asphalt Roofing Shingles
When it comes to asphalt shingles, you’ll usually come across three main categories: strip, dimensional, and luxury shingles.
Strip Shingles
Strip shingles, commonly known as 3-tab shingles, are the most basic type of asphalt shingle. They are made from a single layer and create a relatively flat, uniform appearance.
The fact they use less material makes strip shingles lighter and cheaper than dimensional or luxury shingles. If keeping your initial costs low is your top priority, they may be worth considering, but they may not be the best choice for those seeking a more stylish roof.
CertainTeed’s XT™ 25 is an example of a strip shingle.
Dimensional or Architectural Shingles
Dimensional shingles, also called architectural or laminate shingles, are the choice for most homeowners at the moment.
Unlike basic flat shingles, architectural shingles are made from two or more layers of material that have been laminated on top of each other to give the roof more depth and some subtle shadows. They create a natural look that can even be reminiscent of wood shakes, without all the hassle.
CertainTeed’s Landmark® shingles are the best example of this type of shingle. The Landmark family has the appearance of wood shakes, but with better performance, easier maintenance, and color choices that come with asphalt.
For many homeowners, architectural shingles strike a perfect balance between being affordable, looking good, and doing the job in the long term.
Luxury Shingles
Luxury asphalt shingles, often referred to as premium laminated shingles, have a distinctly high-end look and feel. One of the key benefits they offer is a much more dimensional and visually striking appearance compared to standard shingles.
You can even get luxury shingles to mimic the look of more expensive roofing options like natural slate and real wood shakes. CertainTeed’s Grand Manor® and Carriage House® are examples of high-end architectural shingles that give you the look you want.
Luxury shingles do come with a higher price tag, but it’s worth it, especially if your roof is a major architectural feature of your home or you’re looking to enhance its curb appeal.
Understanding the CertainTeed Landmark Shingle Options
When it comes to choosing architectural shingles, you’ll definitely come across the CertainTeed Landmark product line. There are many choices within the Landmark family, which means you can find a shingle that fits your budget, how you want your roof to look, and your performance needs.
- Landmark® is the foundation of the product family. It offers a dual-layer design that gives the look of real wood shakes.
- Landmark® PRO is thicker and heavier than standard Landmark shingles. It offers richer color combinations through CertainTeed’s Max Def color palette.
- Landmark® Premium uses additional high-grade asphalt and a heavier multi-layer construction for increased protection.
- Landmark® TL is a triple-laminate luxury shingle. It is designed for homeowners who want even more dimension and an authentic wood shake look.
CertainTeed also offers Landmark® ClimateFlex®, which adds rubberizing polymers to the asphalt for better flexibility and extra resistance to the elements and impact.
The right choice isn’t necessarily the most expensive shingle. Your roofing contractor will be able to help you pick the one that is best for you, considering your home’s architecture, location, budget, and how it’s exposed to weather conditions.
Look Beyond the Color of Your Shingles
Color is certainly important. Your roof is a significant piece of your home’s exterior, so the shingles you choose can dramatically change how it looks. But performance should be just as important as color.
CertainTeed incorporates several technologies into its Landmark shingles that can tackle a few of the biggest roofing headaches. Depending on the product and region, these can include StreakFighter® technology to help protect against black streaks caused by algae, CertaSeal™ adhesive to help stop wind damage and moisture infiltration, and QuadraBond™ technology to help keep laminated shingle layers securely bonded together.
CertainTeed’s NailTrak® technology also provides contractors with a defined nailing area to help improve installation accuracy.
When comparing shingles, ask your contractor which features are most important for your home and location.
Consider Impact Resistance
If your home is located in an area that experiences hail or severe storms, impact resistance may be an important consideration.
Impact-resistant shingles are designed and tested to withstand greater impact than conventional roofing shingles. CertainTeed offers products with enhanced impact ratings, including Landmark ClimateFlex and other premium options. Some Class 4 impact-resistant products may also qualify homeowners for insurance discounts, depending on the insurance company and location.
Before choosing an impact-resistant roof specifically for an insurance discount, check with your insurance provider to determine whether your policy qualifies.
Don’t Forget About the Complete Roofing System
Your shingles may be the most visible part of your roof, but they are just one part of the system that protects your home.
A properly installed roof also includes components such as underlayment, water protection, starter shingles, ventilation, and hip and ridge shingles. CertainTeed refers to its coordinated approach as the Integrity Roof System™, which combines roofing components designed to work together.
This is why choosing the right roofing contractor is just as important as choosing the right shingle. Even a high-quality roofing product needs to be installed correctly to perform as intended.
How Do You Choose the Right Asphalt Roofing Shingle?
Start by thinking about what matters most for your home.
- If budget is your primary concern, a basic asphalt shingle may provide the protection you need.
- Looking for a balance of durability and curb appeal? An architectural shingle such as CertainTeed Landmark may be a better fit.
- If appearance, added protection, or impact resistance are priorities, consider upgrading to a premium or specialty shingle.
You should also consider your home’s architectural style, roof pitch, surrounding homes, local weather conditions, and how long you plan to stay in your home.
And don’t choose your shingles based on a small sample alone. Colors can look completely unique when installed across an entire roof and under different lighting conditions. CertainTeed offers its ColorView® visualization tool to help homeowners see how different roofing colors and styles may look on their homes.
Choosing a Roof You’ll Be Happy With for Years
Replacing your roof is a major financial outlay, and the last thing most homeowners want is to have to make another decision about it anytime soon. Don’t just go for the cheapest or most color-appealing option without taking the time to understand the different types of asphalt shingles on the market.
CertainTeed offers an array of choices that range from basic strip shingles to premium products that give you the look of wood shake and slate. The key is to pick one that gets the perfect balance of protection, looks, and performance at a price that works for your home.
Talk with an experienced roofing contractor and ask them about the state of your current roof, what your home needs, and what CertainTeed shingle options are available. With the right shingles and a proper installation, your new roof will be protecting your home without compromising on curb appeal for years to come.
