Best Asphalt Roof Shingle Brands: Performance Factors and Installation Quality 2025

Choosing the right roof shingles is a critical decision for homeowners looking to protect their investment while enhancing curb appeal. With numerous materials, brands, and styles available, navigating roof shingle options can be overwhelming. This article examines the most popular roof shingle types, reviews top brands, and provides essential information to help you make an informed decision for your roofing project. Whether you’re building a new home or replacing an aging roof, understanding the performance, durability, and value of different shingles will guide you toward the optimal choice for your specific needs.

Shingle Type	Lifespan	Cost Range	Durability Rating
Asphalt	15-30 years	$100-$150 per square	Good
Wood	20-40 years	$250-$600 per square	Moderate
Metal	40-70 years	$300-$1,000 per square	Excellent
Slate	75-200 years	$600-$1,500 per square	Superior
Composite	30-50 years	$300-$650 per square	Very Good

Understanding the different types of roof shingles available is the first step in making an informed decision. Each type offers unique benefits, aesthetics, and performance characteristics that may be better suited to particular climates and architectural styles.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles remain the most popular choice for American homes, accounting for approximately 80% of residential roofing installations. They come in two main varieties: three-tab and architectural (dimensional). Three-tab shingles are flat, single-layer products that offer basic protection at an economical price point. Architectural shingles are thicker, multi-layered products that create a more dimensional appearance and typically offer enhanced durability.

Major manufacturers like GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed consistently receive positive reviews for their asphalt shingles, with consumers praising their balance of affordability and performance. The average lifespan ranges from 15-30 years depending on quality, with prices typically between $100-$150 per square (100 sq. ft.).

Wood Shingles and Shakes

Wood shingles offer a natural, rustic aesthetic that many homeowners find appealing. Typically made from cedar, redwood, or cypress, these shingles weather to a silverish gray over time. Wood shakes are similar but are split rather than sawn, creating a more rustic, hand-hewn appearance.

While beautiful, reviews often highlight maintenance concerns, as wood shingles require regular treatments to prevent moss growth and rot. They generally last 20-40 years with proper care and cost between $250-$600 per square. Many jurisdictions have fire code restrictions on wood roofing, so check local building codes before considering this option.

Metal Shingles

Metal roofing has gained significant popularity, with metal shingles offering the durability of metal with the aesthetic versatility of traditional shingles. Available in steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc alloys, these shingles can mimic the appearance of asphalt, wood, or slate while providing superior longevity.

Consumer reviews consistently praise metal shingles for their 40-70 year lifespan, excellent wind and fire resistance, and energy efficiency. Brands like Metal Sales, Edco, and Interlock receive particularly strong feedback. Prices range from $300-$1,000 per square, depending on the material and style.

Slate Shingles

Slate is considered the premium option in roofing materials, offering unmatched elegance and extraordinary longevity. Natural slate shingles can last 75-200 years, making them potentially the only roof a home will ever need. Reviews consistently highlight their beauty, fire resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements.

The primary drawbacks noted in reviews include high cost ($600-$1,500 per square) and significant weight, which often requires additional structural support. Leading slate providers include Vermont Structural Slate Company, Greenstone Slate, and Newmont Slate, all of which receive excellent quality ratings.

Composite/Synthetic Shingles

Composite shingles represent the newest innovation in roofing, manufactured from recycled materials and polymers to mimic the appearance of natural materials. Brands like DaVinci Roofscapes, CertainTeed Symphony, and GAF Timberline offer synthetic products that emulate slate or wood with significantly less weight and maintenance.

Reviews praise these products for combining aesthetic appeal with modern performance benefits, including impact resistance and UV stability. With lifespans of 30-50 years and prices ranging from $300-$650 per square, they represent a middle ground between asphalt and premium natural materials.

Top Asphalt Shingle Brands and Reviews

As the most common roofing material in the United States, asphalt shingles deserve closer examination. Here’s how the major manufacturers compare based on consumer and professional reviews.

GAF

GAF consistently ranks as America’s largest roofing manufacturer, offering a wide range of products across price points. Their Timberline HDZ shingles receive particularly strong reviews for their dimensional appearance and StainGuard Plus technology that fights algae. Consumers appreciate the company’s comprehensive warranty options, including their Golden Pledge warranty that covers both materials and workmanship.

The primary criticism in reviews concerns inconsistent installation quality from certified contractors, highlighting the importance of contractor selection regardless of shingle brand. GAF’s products generally score 4.3-4.7 out of 5 stars in aggregated reviews.

Owens Corning

Owens Corning earns praise for their innovative TruDefinition Duration shingles, which feature SureNail Technology for enhanced wind resistance (up to 130 mph). Reviewers consistently mention the vibrant color options and impressive impact resistance, making them popular in hail-prone regions.

Their Platinum Protection warranty receives positive mentions, though some customers note limitations in coverage for certain types of damage. Overall satisfaction ratings typically range from 4.2-4.6 out of 5 stars, with particular strength in customer service responsiveness.

CertainTeed

CertainTeed’s Landmark series earns recognition for superior durability and aesthetic appeal. Their premium Landmark Pro and Landmark Premium lines consistently receive high marks from professional roofers for installation ease and performance. The company’s 4-layer Landmark TL shingles are frequently cited as the most realistic dimensional shingles on the market.

While slightly more expensive than comparable GAF or Owens Corning products, reviewers often justify the premium for CertainTeed’s quality control standards and comprehensive StreakFighter warranty against algae. Consumer ratings average 4.4-4.8 out of 5 stars.

IKO

IKO offers competitive pricing that makes them popular among budget-conscious consumers. Their Cambridge architectural shingles receive solid reviews for their value proposition, balancing reasonable cost with acceptable performance. The Dynasty line with ArmourZone technology has garnered better feedback for enhanced wind resistance.

Reviews suggest slightly more variation in product consistency compared to industry leaders, with ratings typically ranging from 3.8-4.3 out of 5 stars. Many consumers note that proper installation is particularly important with IKO products to ensure maximum performance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Roof Shingles

Beyond brand reviews, several key factors should influence your shingle selection decision.

Climate Considerations

Your local weather patterns should heavily influence your shingle choice. In hurricane-prone regions, impact and wind-resistant options from manufacturers like GAF and Owens Corning receive the strongest recommendations. For hot, sunny climates, reflective “cool roof” shingles from brands like CertainTeed Solaris and GAF Timberline Cool Series earn praise for energy efficiency.

In regions with freeze-thaw cycles, reviews suggest fiberglass-based shingles outperform organic asphalt varieties. Coastal homeowners report better performance from copper, zinc, or specially-treated shingles that resist salt spray degradation.

Budget and Long-term Value

While initial cost is important, calculating the lifetime value provides a more accurate picture of roofing expenses. Reviews frequently mention that premium architectural shingles from brands like CertainTeed and Malarkey offer better value despite higher upfront costs due to their extended lifespan and reduced maintenance needs.

• Entry-level three-tab shingles: $70-$100 per square
• Standard architectural shingles: $100-$150 per square
• Premium architectural shingles: $150-$200+ per square
• Designer specialty shingles: $200-$300+ per square

When factoring installation costs, reviewers recommend obtaining multiple quotes from certified contractors, as labor typically represents 60-70% of total project costs.

Warranty Considerations

Warranty coverage varies significantly between manufacturers, with prorated versus non-prorated terms being a critical distinction. GAF’s Golden Pledge and CertainTeed’s 5-Star warranties receive the strongest reviews for comprehensive coverage, including workmanship guarantees when installed by certified contractors.

Consumer reviews frequently highlight the importance of understanding warranty transfer provisions if you plan to sell your home. Most premium warranties offer limited transferability to a subsequent homeowner, which can enhance resale value.

Installation Quality Impact on Shingle Performance

Even the highest-rated shingles will underperform if improperly installed. Reviews consistently emphasize that installation quality often matters more than brand selection. Manufacturer-certified contractors typically provide better results, with GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, and CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster contractors receiving the strongest recommendations.

Common installation issues mentioned in negative reviews include improper nailing techniques, inadequate ventilation, and incorrect underlayment application. Most roofing experts and consumer reviews recommend investing in quality installation rather than cutting corners on labor costs.

When evaluating installers, look for manufacturer certification, local references, and specific experience with your chosen shingle type. Many homeowners report greater satisfaction when using contractors who specialize in a particular manufacturer’s products rather than generalists who install multiple brands.