In the world of roofing shingles, the top brands are Malarkey and CertainTeed, followed closely by better brands like Atlas, GAF, Tamko, and Owens Corning - the topic of today's review. Who is Owens Corning, and should you choose this company as your roofing supplier? Keep reading to find out in this Owens Corning shingles review.
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning is a global leader in fiberglass composite (the world's largest manufacturer), insulation, and roof materials manufacturing. Now there are over 30 composite factories, 31 insulation facilities, and 16 roofing plants worldwide, with a high concentration in the US.
And best of all, they have the Pink Panther on their staff! Who doesn't love that cute pink cat?
This company performs so well that they've been a consecutive repeat member of the Fortune 500 since 1955 - 66 straight years and counting. Creating products that are good for the environment is the basis of all of Owens Corning's vast product lineup.
Owens Corning Types and Product Line
There are 7 different lines of shingles available. These products fall into a standard three-tier of basic, better, and best.
3-Tab Asphalt Shingle (Basic)
For a traditional 3-tab asphalt shingle, you'll enjoy the Owens Corning Supreme product line.
Affordable, weather-resistant, classic in design, and available in 9 colors, the Supreme suits most homeowners' needs. This line has a 10-year warranty for algae and a 25-year limited lifetime (LL) warranty.
Supreme® Metric three-tab shingles can range from $75 to $90 a roofing square - 100 square feet. This line is the basic level shingle in the tiered platform, chosen for function more than aesthetic. However, it's only rated for 60 mph winds, making it largely unsuitable for climates with significant weather.
Pros
- Affordable
- Multiple color options
- 10-year algae resistance
CONs
- Low wind resistance
- Doesn't do much for aesthetics
Best For: Homeowners shopping on a budget who live in locations with mild weather and winds less than 60 mph. This option usually serves as a simple roof covering without providing much in terms of looks.
Architectural Shingle (Better/Best)
Architectural shingles have interesting dimensions, shadows, and dramatic colors, as well as their performance. OC offers 4 architectural product lines.
Brand | Colors | Warranty | Wind Resistance | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Oakridge | 6 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Better |
Duration Cool | 9 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Best |
Duration | 9 | Limited Lifetime | 130 mph | Better |
Duration Designer | 8 | Limited Lifetime | 130 mph | Best |
If you want the look of architectural shingles but you're not ready to pay the big bucks, try the basic level Oakridge shingles. These laminated shingles have AR, LL warranty, and 110-130 mph wind resistance.
Available in 12 natural tones, dark colors include the usual black and gray named Onyx Black and Estate Gray, as well as brown colors like Teak and Driftwood. In addition, there are light browns such as Ameber and Cliffside Gray, golds Desert Tan and Golden Meadow, and lighter shades such as Shasta White and Sierra Gray. Dark colors go well with any architectural style and are very common. Light colors have more personality and are suitable for hot areas.
Pros
- Affordable architectural style
- Algae resistant warranty for 10 years
CONs
- Limited natural tone colors
- Requires six nails to increase wind resistance
Best For: Customers who want a dimensional style shingle without paying the cost for the best tier shingle. These shingles have a higher wind rating, allowing for more versatile use in locations that experience moderate storms.
The Duration products (better on the 3-tiers) feature Streakguard Algae resistance (AR) with a 10-year warranty and a wind resistance of up to 130 mph. It's also Class A fire-rated, with a limited lifetime warranty, and available in 9 dynamic TruDefinition colors for dramatic curb appeal.
There are 8 lines under the Duration name, with many being limited to specific regions.
Pros
- TrueDefinition colors
- Class A fire-rated
- Streakguard Algae resistance
CONs
- Most expensive
- Class A rating does not include hail damage
Best For: The Duration is a better-tier product for customers who want a dynamically colored architectural style shingle. This brand is suitable for most locations, although it's not the right choice for coastal areas or hurricanes. And you can pick from specific lines to get advanced features like impact resistance or COOL colors.
The premium pick for dimensional (architectural) shingles is the OC Duration Designer, costing between $84 and $120 a square. This line also features AR Streakguard (10-year warranty), 8 TruDefinition colors, and a limited lifetime warranty, with a wind resistance of 130 mph. These multi-toned shingles add dimension and character to flatter your home's aesthetic.
Pros
- Eight TruDef colors
- Best dimensional design
- AR Streakguard
CONs
- Most expensive
- Some people might not like the color variations versus a single solid shade
Best For: The Duration Designer line is perfect for customers who don't mind shelling out the extra costs to achieve a flattering dimensional roof with TruDef colors in locations with winds no greater than 130 mph, making it suitable for most homes.
For a better pick of the Oakridge shingles, consider the TruDefinition® DURATION® COOL, which has all the features mentioned above of the Oakridge line, with dynamic EnergyStar colors made with TruDefinition tech.
This line comes in 10 vibrant color choices, including Shasta White and Chateau Green. These shingles also have a double-layer nail zone allowing for 110 to 130 mph wind speeds.
Pros
- Double-layer nail zone for a stronger hold
- TruDefinition colors
- EnergyStar colors lower energy bills
CONs
- More expensive
- Colors may not be true
Best For: The TruDefinition DURATION® COOL line is ideal for customers who want a dramatic roof to add curb appeal and attract attention. Dynamic EnergyStar colors make this the perfect choice for homes in hot climates with moderate to severe weather.
Specialty (Better/Best)
Specialty shingles offer advanced performance and protection for specific criteria. Your location and needs can help you narrow down if this type of shingle is your match.
Brand | Colors | Warranty | Wind Resistance | Tier | IR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TruDef Duration Flex | 9 | Limited Lifetime | 130 mph | Better | Class 4 |
TruDef Weatherguard HP | 7 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Better | Class 4 |
Woodcrest | 9 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Best | None |
Devonshire | 4 | Limited Lifetime | 130 mph | Best | None |
Berkshire | 5 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Best | None |
Woodmoor | 9 | Limited Lifetime | 110-130 mph | Best | None |
OC offers a line named TruDefinition Duration Flex, a Class 4 impact resistant (IR) asphalt shingles made with a unique SBS polymer modified asphalt blend. This AR blend also gives the shingles flexibility, combined with SureNail technology to withstand heavy storms and winds up to 130 mph. TruDefinition tech ensures vibrant, dimensional roofs in 11 colors.
Pros
- SBS polymer for flexibility
- Superior resistance to storms
- SureNail technology
CONs
- Limited colors
- Not Energy Star certified
Best For: Homeowners who need a roof that can withstand heavy weather conditions like tornadoes, hurricanes, or significant snowfall. You get added protection and a great look.
Pro Tip: Many insurance companies offer discounts when using shingles with a Class 4 impact rating in some locations.
If you need an asphalt shingle that can handle significant weather conditions, consider the Owens Corning TruDefinition Weatherguard HP. Available in 7 colors with TruDefinition and Streakguard, these shingles will look great for years. An integrated polymeric backing provides a Class 4 impact rating with wind resistance between 110 and 130 mph.
Pros
- Class 4 impact rating
- TruDefinition colors
- Streakguard algae resistance
CONs
- Limited colors
- Impact resistance might not withstand hail damage
Best For: The TruDefinition Weatherguard HP is another superior shingle for areas with extreme weather up to 130 mph, including hail and broken tree limbs.
Another premium designer shingle is the Woodcrest, which comes in 9 colors. This dimensional shingle has unique angles and textures that give you magnificent dimension and depth. These Class A fire-rated, 110-130 mph wind-rated shingles come with a 10-year AP and one-owner limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Unique dimension and depth
- High wind rating
- Streakguard algae resistance
CONs
- Premium costs
- Not extreme weather rated
Best For: The OC Woodcrest is the perfect premium dimensional shingle for homeowners who don't mind dropping a large chunk of money on a unique architectural shingle.
The Devonshire line resembles a slate with a 10-year algae warranty, a limited lifetime warranty restricted to one owner, and a maximum 130 mph wind rating. You can get this shingle in 4 color choices.
Pros
- 10-year algae protection
- Clipped tabs give a unique look
- Resembles real slate
CONs
- Limited color options
- Not extreme weather rated
Best For: The OC Devonshire is perfect for customers who want the look of a slate roof without the extreme price of the real thing. Although limited to four colors, these dimensional shingles with clipped tabs will set any roof apart from the neighborhood.
For an oversized slate shingle, try the Berkshire. These shingles have a 110 to 130 mph rating depending on a 4-nail or 6-nail application. You can get this premium (and most expensive) OC shingle in 5 colors, with an original owner lifetime warranty and 10-year algae protection.
Pros
- 10-year algae protection
- Clipped tabs give a unique look
- Resembles real slate
CONs
- Limited color options
- Not extreme weather rated
Best For: The OC Berkshire is a larger tab slate shingle that looks superb on larger style homes but might not look right on low-pitched roofs on smaller houses.
Owens Corning Advantages
Let's look at some of the advantages of choosing Owens Corning as your asphalt shingle supplier, based on Owens Corning shingles reviews by verified customers.
Total Protection Roofing System
A significant feature of purchasing your roofing shingles from Owens Corning is the Total Protection Roofing System, which consists of multiple components made by the same company for complete protection and the highest warranties.
We want to point out that other roofing companies also offer programs like this, so it is not unique to Owens Corning. OC's motto for their program is "Seal, Defend, Breath." standing for underlayment products, shingles, and roof ventilation. This company also offers Weatherlock ice and water barrier with three tiers, with the Flex (premium) designed for use in extreme cold.
Certified Contractors
Owens Corning follows the same standards for offering access to certified contractor programs. Installers that belong to this network have received training for the proper way to install all OC products.
When you choose a certified OC installer, not only do you get peace of mind knowing that the roofer knows their stuff, but you can also get access to higher warranties. You might even get discounts on your homeowner's insurance.
Owens Corning Disadvantages
Before you decide on Owens Corning for your asphalt roof shingles, check out these few disadvantages.
Color Differences
Many customers filed complaints regarding the color difference between the installed product and how it looked on the computer when ordering.
As with most shopping, things don't always look like they do in a picture. If you want to ensure that the color you choose is the right one, look at actual color samples in person.
Improper sealing
As the OC shingle warranty states, there must be direct sunlight for the shingles to seal correctly for several days - referred to as Thermal sealing.
Having your shingles installed during cool weather can cause the asphalt sealant not to melt correctly, resulting in a poor seal. Improper sealing is not a manufacturer's defect. Therefore any damage will not fall under your warranty coverage. You'll have to pay for any damages that occur out of pocket.
Owens Corning Pricing by Product
Brand | Professional |
|---|---|
OC Supreme | $75-$90 a square (100 square feet) |
OC Duration | $80-$115 |
OC Duration Designer | $84-$120 |
Oakridge | $90-$105 |
TruDef Oakridge | $96-$117 |
Owens Corning Warranties
Owens Corning offers four tiers in terms of warranties.
- Standard Roofing warranty
- System Protection warranty (applicable with Seal, Defend, Breathe products only) - Not required to have an Owens Corning Preferred contractor (OCPC)
- Preferred Protection System (offered by OCPC)
- Platinum Protection System (provided by Platinum OCPC)
You can only qualify for the enhanced warranties if you used the Total Protection products. If you mixed brands, you would not be able to get extra protection. But enhanced warranties also mean higher costs. You must review the protection exclusions for each warranty before you choose to purchase one. They may not cover the factors you want, meaning you'll waste money.
Conclusion
In the world of roofing, Owen Corning is among the best, passed only by larger companies like CertainTeed. This brand compares equally among competitors like Atlas, GAF, and Tamko.