Top Roofing Shingle Brands: Who Makes the Best Asphalt Shingles in 2024?

Want to upgrade the look of your home with a new roof? Need to replace your roof following storm damage? What are the best asphalt shingles for your home? We have you covered.

The following guide will answer all your questions about the best roofing shingles brands.

Due to their durability and cost, asphalt shingles are installed on 80% of US roofs. Because asphalt shingles are so prevalently available, homeowners have many choices of asphalt shingles brands, styles, and colors. Many products are readily available when speaking with a quality roofing company. Very few products are available at home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. You will need to talk to a roofer to see the most comprehensive selection.

Like with many home renovation projects, there are different ranges in quality and design, each with its own cost. The more basic, the lower the price. Selecting a premium design or shingles with impact resistance will be more expensive. It is rarely a good idea to choose the cheapest shingles, as the roof’s cost of ownership over many years will cost more than the added shingles material costs. Beyond just the shingles, additional cost considerations like warranties can impact the total price, whereas top shingle brands will likely offer more extended warranties.

Depending on what specifics you’re seeking, there may not be a clear answer of which asphalt roofing shingle is the best, but we will help with evaluating the best shingles from the top roofing shingle brands.

So, who makes the best roofing shingles? Read on.

Top 10 Factors to Consider When Choosing Asphalt Shingles

Many homeowners overlook their roofs until there is an issue like a leak. When they learn of a problem and determine that it’s time to replace their roofs, the process can be overwhelming.

The following is a list of top considerations when choosing the best asphalt shingles for your home.

Asphalt Shingle Brand

Shingle manufacturers like GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning invest heavily in advertising and marketing to industry professionals. Each wants to take market share, increasing revenue and boasting it has the top-selling asphalt shingle brand in the US or North America. For example, GAF promotes that its Timberline architectural shingles are North America’s #1 selling shingle on their website. Other brands like Malarkey are known among roofers for superior product quality but spend less on marketing.

Owens Corning has done an excellent job selling into home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s, cornering the consumer market. Thus, homeowners looking to purchase shingles themselves will only find the Owens Corning brand. Brands like GAF and CertainTeed are sold via roofing supply distributors like ABC and Beacon, targeting roofing contractors and home builders.

Asphalt Shingle Aesthetics

80% of homes in the US have asphalt shingle roofs. Thus, manufacturers offer various designs or shingle aesthetics to meet tastes. All manufacturers provide basic 3-tab shingles and architectural shingles. Each also offers different designs for its premium or luxury lines.

No matter which style you select for your home, you will want to ensure the color works with your home’s exterior. That’s why the asphalt shingle aesthetics are so important.

Climate and Asphalt Shingle Ratings

Certain asphalt shingles perform better in specific climates. Most asphalt shingle manufacturers offer cool, more reflective shingles for higher reflectivity reducing temperatures in your attic and helping save on air-conditioning costs.

Additionally, shingle manufacturers make impact resistant shingles, designed to withstand hail, called Class 4 shingles. Class 4 shingles are tested using a steel ball to simulate resistance up to 2″ hailstones. Class 4 impact resistant shingles are popular in hail-prone regions, and in some markets like Fort Collins, these shingles are required for all new installations and roof replacements.

Many Colorado markets require a minimum 110-mile-per-hour wind resistance rating for wind uplift. The most basic 3-tab shingles do not meet this minimum requirement and cannot be installed during a roof replacement.

Asphalt Shingle Durability

Asphalt shingles have different life expectancies and costs. Most 3-tab shingles have 25-year life expectancies and associated warranties and are the thinnest shingles manufactured.

A step up from the entry-level 3-tab shingles are architectural or dimensional shingles that provide more contour and architectural appeal and a higher life expectancy, averaging 30 years.

Best-in-class is impact-resistant and luxury shingles with up to 50-year life expectancies. For example, the CertainTeed Presidential IR is extra thick and manufactured to meet Class 4 impact resistance.

Asphalt Shingle Warranty Coverage

More premium shingles typically have better warranties. We recommend selecting premium roofing materials with high-quality warranty coverage. You may save a few dollars with lesser quality products upfront but will be sorry later with future issues.

Beyond the product warranty, hire a professional roofing contractor that can offer elite workmanship or labor warranties. Some roofers earn premium contractor status with specific manufacturers, such as Owens Corning Preferred Contractor status, and can offer their customers even more premium warranties than others, with further extended coverage.

Be sure to speak with your selected roofing contractor and understand any installation requirements to qualify for the warranty. For example, some manufacturers require a minimum number of additional roofing products to be installed along with the roof shingles to be eligible for the desired warranty.

Asphalt Shingle Energy-Efficiency

Roofing shingle manufacturers offer cool or energy-efficient shingles that are more reflective on the roof and keep your home’s attic cooler, thus saving homeowners on air conditioning bills.

The roof shingles or any roofing material type is just one of three major components of your roof’s efficiency. Ventilation and insulation are additional critical components. Proper ventilation allows your home’s roof to breathe through intake and exhaust vents. And adequate insulation will keep the hot air inside your home in winter and cool air inside your home in winter.

Speak with a qualified roofing company to better understand how your roof, ventilation, and insulation best work together and for a free assessment.

Asphalt Shingle Weight

Asphalt shingles are lightweight compared to other roofing materials like concrete or slate tiles. When considering changing from lighter weight to a heavier weight roofing material, it’s best to speak with a roofing company and, ideally, a structural engineer to confirm the roof can handle the additional weight.

Regardless of the weight of the shingles for your roof replacement, it’s best to only have a single layer of shingles on your roof. As professional roofers, we regularly inspect homes with installed three or more layers of roofing materials. These additional roofing layers are bad as the house is unlikely to be designed to support this added weight. It also makes finding a roof leak and performing maintenance nearly impossible.

For roof replacements, most roofers will remove all existing roofing layers down the roof’s deck and then install the new shingles. Local building codes typically do not allow multiple roofing layers.

Asphalt Shingle Maintenance Requirements

Maintenance is essential to maintaining your home. A roof is no different. We recommend annual roof inspections and performing regular roof maintenance to ensure flashings, vents, and nails maintain proper sealing.

Additionally, we advise homeowners to regularly clean their home's gutters and downspouts, which can cause trouble with water backup, ice damming, interior leaks, and even fascia and decking rot. Because roof maintenance can be dangerous, we recommend calling a professional roofing company for your shingle maintenance needs.

Asphalt Shingle Grade and Budget

It’s best to establish a reasonable budget for your roof replacement. You will find a wide range of prices during your research, from cost-effective 3-tab shingles to designer luxury products. With increases in quality and grade, so increases the product cost.

Additional materials may be beyond the roof shingles required for more premium shingles. For example, selecting the CertainTeed Presidential shingles will require an additional starter course compared to 3-tab or architectural shingles. So, the added material costs will be more than just the incremental price in the field shingles.

Depending on your budget, you may find It worth the additional cost to purchase and install more premium shingles with a higher total ownership cost over several decades. Speak with a trusted roofing contractor like Metro City Roofing to discuss your roofing project in more detail.

Asphalt Shingle Cost of Labor

The labor cost is typically consistent for 3-tab and architectural shingles but higher for more premium shingles due to the additional labor effort needed.

Homeowners will quickly learn many variables that factor into the price of a new roof. The asphalt shingles are the first thing that comes to mind. Still, homeowners will need to consider their overall project goals, including how long they intend to live in the home, weather considerations that require more premium shingles, and more.

Grades of Asphalt Shingles

There are three main types of grades of asphalt shingles. The most cost-effective is the 3-tab roof shingles or 3-tab asphalt shingles. A step up is the architectural roof shingles, also known as dimensional roof shingles. Architectural shingles are the most popular shingles style today. Luxury asphalt shingles or designer roof shingles are for discerning homeowners who want to stand out from their neighbors. There are numerous styles from which to choose.

All shingle styles are available in multiple colors, so homeowners will find something to meet their taste and budget.

Good: Three-Tab Asphalt Shingles

3-tab shingles are commonly referred to as strip shingles. 3-tab shingles are the most cost-effective asphalt shingle available. For homeowners who have pitched roofs on a budget, 3-tab shingles are the way to go. They are the thinnest of all shingles, with a flat design highlighting three consistent tabs per shingle. Strip shingles have declined in popularity in the last decade, with new home construction and roof replacements.

Most asphalt shingles manufacturers offer 3-tabs with lower wind-resistance ratings, typically 60 to 80 miles per hour. Most 3-tab shingles will not meet local building codes across the Front Range of Colorado, which helps to explain their reduced popularity in favor of architectural shingles. Further, most 3-tab or strip shingles have a lower life expectancy than architectural shingles at 25 years.

Pros of 3-Tab or strip shingles:

• Cost-effective, entry price point of asphalt shingles
• 25-year life expectancy and warranty, more than enough for many homeowners
• Available in many colors to provide a design aesthetic to any home exterior
• Moderate to high quality

Cons of 3-Tab or strip shingles:

• Lowest average lifespan and warranty
• Flat design
• Lowest wind and impact-resistance ratings of all shingles and may not meet local building codes in high wind or Class 4 markets

Better: Architectural/Dimensional Roofing Shingles

Architectural shingles are also known as dimensional or laminate shingles. Today, architectural shingles are the most popular and frequently installed style for new home construction and roof replacements. Available in many profiles and colors, architectural shingles have more premium warranties, wind resistance and impact resistance ratings, and longer lifespans.

Pros of Architectural/Dimensional shingles:

• Medium to high quality
• Highest wind and hail impact resistance
• Extensive color range to suit any home design

Cons of Architectural/Dimensional shingles:

• More expensive than 3-tab shingles
• Higher wind or impact resistance may provide a false sense of security
• Heavier than 3-tab shingles

Best: Premium, Luxury, or Designer Shingles

Luxury asphalt shingles are the thickest of all shingles, often designed to look like wood shake or slate tile. Manufacturers offer various designs, with more options to meet any design aesthetic and curb appeal. Many premium shingles also have the most extended warranties, lifespans, impact resistance, and wind resistance.

Pros of Luxury or Designer shingles:

• Widest range of design options
• Highest wind and impact resistance ratings
• Lighter than stone or tile that they mimic

Cons of Luxury or Designer shingles:

• The most expensive of all shingles
• Additional labor requirements than less expensive shingles and therefore most cost to the homeowner
• Heavier than 3-tab or dimensional shingles

Whichever style you select for your home, all asphalt shingles are manufactured with a fiberglass base mat layered with a waterproof, fire resistant, and UV protective asphalt and granular coating. Speak with a reputable local roofing company to discuss the best shingles for your roofing project.

How to Choose the Best Asphalt Shingle Manufacturer?

Certain asphalt shingle brands are more popular than others. Popularity can be misleading for quality, as some brands invest more in advertising, marketing, and distribution than others, like availability at home improvement retailers. So how does one differentiate between the top asphalt shingle manufacturers?

There is no one clear best shingle manufacturer, as there are numerous criteria to consider like price, quality, availability, warranty, and more.

Each brand has its pros and cons. All offer various products in many colors to meet any design style and budget.

The following provides a shingle brand comparison of the top roofing shingle manufacturers.

Top Roofing Shingle Manufacturers

Homeowners and building owners have numerous choices when considering the asphalt roofing shingle manufacturers. Each has its pros and cons, but all offer various designs, styles, and colors.

Below are the top roofing manufacturers we will explore in more detail.

Owens Corning Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Owens Corning is a leading manufacturer of asphalt shingles, residential and commercial insulation, and fiberglass composite materials. It has a strong brand association with the Pink Panther, which it has been using since 1980 to promote the sale of its pink fiberglass insulation.

Homeowners looking to replace their roof can find Owens Corning asphalt shingles ranging from 3-tab to architectural to luxury. Luxury shingles are designed to appear like wood shakes or slates in many cases. There are fewer designs or styles of Owens Corning asphalt roofing shingles than other brands.

Owens Corning has done an excellent job securing product positioning at top home improvement retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s. It is the only brand homeowners can find at these chains when looking at roofing materials. Product and color availability is limited to their more basic architectural shingles, the Oakridge, and more premium Duration and Duration STORM. When wanting a more comprehensive selection, homeowners need to speak with a roofing contractor to discuss and review samples for all their options and colors.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing Owens Corning Asphalt Shingles

Owens Corning shingles are well known for high quality with their reputable architectural series. Their entire product line is smaller than competitors, and their 3-tab shingles are limited to one product with a 60 mile per hour wind resistance. By comparison, competitors have more comprehensive selections of products are wind resistance ratings that go to 80 miles per hour. This is important in markets with local building code requirements above the Owens Corning option.

The architectural series has many options, from the entry Oakridge to the premium and impact resistant Duration FLEX. The Duration STORM and FLEX are Class 4 shingles, meeting the UL 2218 highest impact resistance rating.

A key focus for Owens Corning is its Top of the House approach to how roofing, ventilation, and insulation all work best to protect a home. As a top manufacturer of insulation and asphalt shingles, this makes sense.

Compared to others, a differentiator with Owens Corning shingles is its patented SureNail technology that features a wide, highly visible engineered fabric strip in the nailing area for a consistent, quality installation, and superior gripping power.

All shingles come with a standard roofing warranty, but more extended, premium warranties are limited to elite contractors who have earned Preferred or Platinum Preferred contractor status. And to qualify for the more premium warranties, homeowners need to select multiple additional products beyond the shingles.

It’s best to speak with an Owens Corning certified contractor to discuss your roofing project in more detail before getting started.

GAF Asphalt Roofing Shingles

GAF promotes itself as North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. The most popular GAF asphalt shingles are its Timberline architectural product line, which ranges from basic to specialty like its Class 4 impact resistant product. GAF is well-known by roofing contractors for high-quality shingles with minimal product defects or recalls.

GAF asphalt roofing shingles meet different ASTM D7158 ratings, the industry-standard test method for wind resistance of asphalt shingles. For example, the GAF Timberline HDZ product has a 130 mile per hour wind rating and warranty and achieves the top ASTM D7158 Class H rating.

By contrast, its 3-tab shingles, like the Royal Sovereign and Marquis WeatherMax, have lesser wind resistance and withstand wind speeds up to 60 mph and 80 mph, respectively. Knowing your local building code requirements when working with a budget is essential.

Like Owens Corning’s SureNail nailing zone, GAF promotes its StrikeZone nailing area, claiming 30% increased nail fastening speed and 99.9% nail placement accuracy.

GAF is a popular choice for homeowners and building owners with an extensive product range combined with strong brand marketing.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing GAF Asphalt Shingles

Homeowners will find an extensive product line of GAF asphalt shingles, with two options for 3-tab shingles, a wide variety of architectural shingles, and several premium products.

GAF shingles have lifetime warranties that are transferrable to a new owner when executed through the Smart Choice Protection Period. For all warranties, we strongly recommend reading through all fine print to determine any qualifiers like a required number of GAF installed products to qualify for the warranty like field shingles, ridge cap, underlayment, starter strip, and more. GAF has a strong roofing contractor network, given its claim as North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, with its most popular Timberline HDZ.

Many GAF shingles are slightly more expensive than Owens Corning shingles, whether by the bundle or square (a roofing measurement used to indicate 100 square feet of roof coverage). It is essential to evaluate the slightly higher price for the total project, not just the shingles. To find GAF shingles, you will need to go to a roofing supply distributor like ABC or Beacon instead of seeing them at home improvement specialty retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s.

CertainTeed Asphalt Roofing Shingles

CertainTeed manufactures an extensive selection of residential and commercial building products focused on exteriors and interiors. Products include roofing, siding, insulation, ceilings, trim, drywall, solar, fencing, decking, railing, and sheathing.

CertainTeed asphalt shingles are known for high quality and some of the industry’s most popular luxury product lines, like the Presidential and Highland Slate. Like their competitors, CertainTeed asphalt roofing shingles are available in three primary categories, 3-tab, architectural, and luxury.

The Landmark architectural shingles are its best-selling line with its five products, several of which focus on premium colors than other intangible product differences. All are manufactured with CertainTeed’s StreakFighter technology that protects black streaks caused by algae formation.

Its ClimateFlex shingles are similar to Owens Corning Duration FLEX or GAF AS II shingles, high-quality Class 4 shingles that offer enhanced resistance to damaging hail with superior surface granule adhesion. CertainTeed’s ClimateFlex technology provides cold-weather-friendly pliability, allowing roofing contractors to handle and install these asphalt shingles in low temperatures, making standard shingles stiff and brittle.

At Metro City Roofing, we install CertainTeed regularly for discerning homeowners who want the luxury design and quality best known with the Presidential products.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing CertainTeed Asphalt Shingles

CertainTeed asphalt shingles have a fiberglass base covered with dual layers of waterproof asphalt topped with ceramic-coated granules for color. Several products like the Landmark ClimateFlex IR and Presidential IR are Class 4 shingles, the industry’s top shingles with impact resistance.

Like Owens Corning’s Supreme 3-tab shingles, CertainTeed’s XT 25 3-tab shingles have a 60 mile per hour rating and a 25-year limited transferable warranty. All architectural shingles have a 110 mph rating with the option of increasing the resistance to 130 mph using a 6-nail application.

All CertainTeed asphalt shingles have a 10-year SureStart Protection Plan that provides 100% coverage of manufacturer defects. Further, all CertainTeed shingles have a warranty for algae protection – 10-years for the ClimateFlex and Landmark lines; 15-years for all other lines.

Like GAF shingles, you will not find CertainTeed products at Home Depot or Lowe’s. Instead, roofing contractors and homeowners will need to purchase them from specialty roofing supply distributors. But the biggest drawback to selecting CertainTeed shingles is the price. Some products are competitive, like the 3-tab and architectural shingles. But many others are higher priced, like the Presidential IR.

Malarkey Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Malarkey asphalt shingles have a strong following among professional roofers. While homeowners who have Malarkey asphalt roofing shingles on their roofs will likely share their happiness with this product, professional roofing companies and distributors sing the praise of Malarkey.

The consensus is that while Malarkey shingles are more expensive than competitors like Owens Corning or GAF, they are worth the extra price with higher product quality and a longer lifespan on a roof, backed by superior warranties.

Malarkey spends less on advertising and marketing than competitors, thus having less brand recognition outside of roofing industry professionals.

All Malarkey shingles are made with rubberized asphalt for greater durability, using upcycled rubber and plastics to reduce landfill waste. Further, it includes industry-leading smog-reducing granules that help clean the air.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing Malarkey Asphalt Shingles

Unlike some competitors, Malarkey produces a smaller range of roofing products, although roofing professionals view every product as top quality, including the entry 3-tab. For example, its Dura-Seal AR is the industry’s only Class 4 shingles for 3-tab style, although availability is limited to specific markets. For example, this product is not offered in Colorado. The Legacy and Legacy ScotchGard are Class 4 architectural shingles. The Windsor ScotchGard is Malarkey’s single luxury product, but it is a Class 4 impact resistant rated shingle.

All Malarkey shingles are manufactured with their industry-leading NEX rubberized asphalt and smog reducing granules that help clean the air of emission pollutants. This NEX polymer-modified asphalt allows increased flexibility with less tearing or cracking during extremely cold weather or high winds and is more resistant to hail, tree limbs, and more. Malarkey promotes that its smog-reducing granules are the equivalent of planting 1 million trees to help clean the air, which equals 2 trees per roof.

Malarkey has strong product warranties, with the architectural and designer shingles having a lifetime warranty with 100% coverage for multiple years followed by a prorated warranty for the remainder of the term. Its warranty is transferrable once.

Malarkey is higher-priced than many of the competitors. Still, their superior products make the cost well-spent, and the overall price of a new roof installation of roof replacement includes far more than just the shingles. It’s best to secure a quote for different brands and then determine if the additional cost is a worthwhile investment.

TAMKO Asphalt Roofing Shingles

TAMKO is a residential roofing manufacturer focused on steep-slope and low-slope roofing, primarily associated with asphalt shingles and waterproofing products. TAMKO asphalt shingles include entry 3-tab, architectural, and luxury product lines like other roofing manufacturers. It has been making asphalt shingles for more than 75 years and is a prominent supporter of veterans, which represent 15% of the company’s workforce. TAMKO also provides financial and product donations to wounded servicemembers and the nonprofits that support them. For this reason, it boasts that it is “America’s Shingle.”

The Heritage line is TAMKO’s most popular architectural shingle, although TAMKO does not offer as many product lines as some competitors. Something unique to TAMKO is their steel shingle line called MetalWorks, which includes the StoneCrest Slate, StoneCrest Tile, and StoneCrest AstonWood Cedar Shake products. These products are made of metal instead of asphalt. No matter the TAMKO product you select for your home, you will get a basic warranty and can choose a more extended warranty for a premium cost.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing TAMKO Asphalt Shingles

TAMKO is popular with homebuilders and budget-conscious homeowners as TAMKO asphalt shingles are lower-priced than competitors. Unfortunately, TAMKO has earned a reputation for inferior quality with numerous product recalls and defects in recent years. Its product warranties are among the best amongst competitors but may be considered necessary given TAMKO’s quality reputation.

The product line is smaller than manufacturers like GAF and CertainTeed and more comparable to Malarkey, making fewer asphalt shingles. This brand has its entry 3-tab shingles, the Elite Glass-Seal, which is available in 8 colors and has 25-year limited warranties. The Heritage line has multiple variations and is its most popular architectural shingle.

Many competitors offer algae resistance protection to defend against black streaks on a roof found in claims with high humidity and rain. Most of TAMKO’s shingles do not have similar algae resistance protection.

Atlas Asphalt Roofing Shingles

Atlas manufactures residential and commercial roofing materials, from asphalt shingles to insulation. Like its competitors, Atlas asphalt shingles include its 3-tab, architectural, and luxury asphalt shingles.

Unlike Owens Corning or others with more extensive lines, Atlas manufactures a more limited product line like Malarkey and TAMKO. For example, Atlas’ premium line is limited to its StormMaster slate shingles. Homeowners looking for more affordable Atlas asphalt shingles will find the GlassMaster 3-tab shingles.

It is important to consider weather conditions and code requirements in specific markets when selecting asphalt shingles or any roofing product. For example, the GlassMaster 3-tab shingles have 60 mile per hour wind resistance ratings. This wind speed rating may be acceptable in specific markets but may not meet local building codes in others. Across the Front Range in Colorado, 60 mile per hour wind resistance will unlikely be allowed, inhibiting a homeowner’s selection.

Atlas’s unique attribute or differentiator is its patented process of applying ScotchGard on its shingles, protecting against black algae streaks.

Of the 4 Atlas shingles product lines, two are Class 4 shingles, the StormMaster Slate and StormMaster Shake.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing Atlas Asphalt Shingles

Atlas promotes its Scotchgard protection on asphalt shingles against algae, allowing shingles to avoid dark streaks and appear newer for more extended periods. Celebrity construction contractor Mike Holmes has a relationship with Atlas to promote its shingles, which adds credibility.

Atlas shingles have quality warranties compared to some competitors, offset by quality issues and its reputation for honoring warranties. We recommend purchasing a more extended warranty when installing the complete Atlas Signature Select System. This extended warranty is superior to several competitors.

Like other products, Atlas asphalt shingles are found primarily through roofing specialty distributors, so many homeowners will likely not have heard of Atlas for roofing.

Homeowners will find a smaller product line compared to GAF with limited colors. But the colors are the frequent top selections, so fewer choices should not be an issue with finding the right option for your home.

Atlas is one of the industry’s top shingles manufacturers, with pricing lesser than CertainTeed or Malarkey.

It’s best to speak with a professional roofing company before finalizing your asphalt shingle roof brand and reviewing the warranty requirements before purchase.

IKO Asphalt Roofing Shingles

IKO asphalt shingles are a popular choice for affordable roofing shingles. It is a leading manufacturer of residential and commercial roofing products, including waterproofing, insulation, asphalt roofing shingles, and DECRA residential steel shingles.

IKO asphalt roofing shingles are available in 3-tab like its Marathon Plus AR, designed with contrast to enhance a home’s curb appeal, unlike other traditional 3-tab shingles, to its Cambridge architectural to luxury products like the Crowne Slate, designed to mimic the look of slate tiles.

Several premium products like the Crowne Slate and the Armourshake have Class 4 impact resistance.

Homeowners will find that IKO offers a range of products at reasonable prices. IKO asphalt shingles come with a SuperWind Resistance limited warranty of up to 130 mph and have built-in algae resistance and UV protection.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Choosing IKO Asphalt Shingles

IKO is a top reputable brand of asphalt shingles. Its shingles are lower in pricing than competitors like GAF and CertainTeed but have a reputation for warranty and product quality issues. IKO has strict requirements for transferring its roof warranty, requiring that transfer requests be made within thirty (30) days of the real estate transfer. It is critical to know when selling or buying a home so that the new owner assumes the warranty with confidence in the new roof for years to come.

As for product quality issues, all asphalt shingles fuse when exposed to heat after installation along a tar line. IKO has struggled with improper sealing along this tar line, which leads to lifted shingles during strong winds. Improper sealing would naturally be covered under the IKO warranty but adds stress and possible repair costs.

It’s important to remember that homeowners will have different objectives when replacing a roof, not just for IKO but for all asphalt shingles. Some may be to upgrade the look of the existing roof. Some may simply want to replace exactly what they have. Others may need to replace their roof as part of a pending home sale, and thus a more expensive shingle or top-quality is irrelevant.

Separate from asphalt shingles, IKO offers DECRA metal shake and shingle tiles. These are an excellent premium choice for homeowners where budget is less important to design.

The Best Asphalt Shingles on The Market in 2024

A roof is more than a component of your home; it’s what protects your home from nature’s elements like hail, wind, and rain. Replacing a roof is expensive, so it’s essential to decide on the best asphalt shingles that meet your needs, taste, and budget.

We’ve covered the pros and cons of the top roof manufacturers, but which are the best shingles on the market today?

There are various questions to consider before answering this question.

• What are your objectives?
• Do you have a budget?
• How long do you intend to live in your home?
• Are there any building code requirements that dictate or limit your roofing options?
• Are there additional regional considerations based on where you live, like a need to protect against hail, severe winds, black streaks caused by algae, and more?

80% of US homes have asphalt shingles roofs, so they are the most popular roofing material type. Let’s continue looking at the best asphalt roof shingles 2024.

What are The Top-Rated Roofing Shingle Brands?

Until now, we’ve focused on the top asphalt shingles manufacturers. We’ll now shift focus to the top-rated shingles brands. Within each manufacturer, homeowners and roofing contractors will have many choices of top-rated asphalt shingles. Let’s look at two options per manufacturer to consider for your next roofing project.

Who Makes the Longest Lasting Asphalt Roofing Shingles?

Most asphalt shingles have similar life expectancies and associated warranties, ranging from 20 to 50 years. The life expectancy will vary based on where you live and the frequency of storms like hail, wind, extreme heat, and humidity in specific markets. For example, many 3-tab or strip shingles will last approximately 20 years, while architectural shingles will last 22 to 25 years.

Homeowners should consider these brands and the associated additional costs when intending to remain in their homes for many years. The return on investment should be a top consideration.

Thicker and heavier shingles will perform better and last longer with their three-piece laminated fiberglass construction. Class 4 shingles will also last longer with their UL 2218 resistance up to 2” hailstones, simulated with a steel ball test.

Beyond the asphalt shingles, installation by your selected roofing contractor plays a significant factor in the lifespan of your roofing shingles.

Who Makes the Cheapest Roofing Shingles?

Several roofing manufacturers are known to offer lower prices than others based on the shingle thickness, durability, and brand reputation. So, which are the cheapest roofing shingles available that still provide quality protection for your home? Atlas, IKO, and TAMKO are the three cheapest asphalt shingles of our brands listed in this article. These brands are priced lesser than competitors like Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, and Malarkey but are also known for quality and defect issues.

That may be fine depending on how long you intend to live in your home and the objective when replacing your roof. For example, if you are replacing your roof and plan to sell the house in the next few years, it may not be worth the added cost of the more expensive shingles. A buyer will not consider the shingles brand installed during a home inspection, only that the roof is in good functioning order. However, suppose you intend to live in your home for many years. In that case, it is likely a wise investment to buy better-quality roof shingles and ensure you select a reputable roofer for installation.

At Metro City Roofing, we proudly install only the top brands and choose not to install products that are more likely to become an issue for our customers. As such, we steer customers to brands like Owens Corning and Malarkey.

Which Companies Produce the Best Class 4 Shingles?

Each of the manufacturers listed in this article offers an extensive range of asphalt shingles, from the basic 3-tab to Class 4 impact resistant shingles. All Class 4 shingles brands must meet the same industry standard UL 2218 classification for impact resistance.

The Underwriters Laboratory standard text provides a way to complete product performance in a controlled environment to replicate hailstone impacts using a steel ball test on roof coverings. Class 3 shingles have been tested to withstand damage up to 1.75 inches in diameter, where Class 4 is up to 2 inches.

The Owens Corning Woodmoor or CertainTeed Presidential IR are great examples of premium Class 4 shingles that are beautiful in design and best withstand roof damage. Malarkey is also a top brand among roofers and industry insiders for producing excellent asphalt shingles and specifically superior Class 4 shingles.

Making Your Final Decision: What Brands of Asphalt Shingles Are the Best for Your Roof?

What brand of roofing shingles is best? The answer is an individual decision based on your budget, design preference, region in which you live, and how long you intend to live in your home.

Homeowners have many choices of asphalt shingles brands, from the basic 3-tab shingles to architectural to luxury or designer styles. Some are designed specifically for higher wind resistance, impact resistance to hailstones, algae resistance, or even cooling your roof. Thicker premium products require more materials or achieve higher thresholds, like higher wind resistance will naturally cost more than others. Your local building code may limit your choices if you live in a known region for high winds or hail. For example, the building code in Fort Collins, Colorado, requires all new roof installations or roof replacements to use Class 4 shingles. Upgrading your roofing shingles may pose an issue to your budget, so it is vital to consider code requirements.

Further, if you intend to live in your home for only a few years, selecting the least expensive shingles is likely an intelligent decision. A new roof will help you sell your home and avoid losing a sale at the last minute towards your closing.

We recommend spending your money wisely on roofing materials and selecting a high-quality roofing contractor. Consider a roof replacement as an investment in your home and protecting your family.

Choose the Best Asphalt Shingle Roofing Contractor in Denver Metro Area

A high-quality new roof depends on the quality of roofing materials and the installation. No matter the cost and quality of materials, the new roof will depend on quality roofing installation.

At Metro City Roofing, we are incredibly proud of our award-winning, industry-leading reputation in the Denver metro area. Our expert roofers only do business in Colorado, unlike other roofing companies that chase storms all over the country. We are licensed everywhere we inspect a roof and pull a building code permit with every roof replacement, so you can be confident your roof replacement is installed to meet the current code requirements.

Every sales and project team member is a licensed adjuster where we inspect your roof with the same process as your insurance company. Local insurance agents refer their customers to Metro City Roofing due to our reputation, the trust we’ve built over time, and our 99% success rate in getting the roof claim approved when we recommend filing a claim. With more than 20 years of professional experience, our team has the expertise to guide our customers through the entire insurance claims process, getting your claim approved, settled, and paid by the insurance company.

Now that you better understand the top asphalt shingles brands and specific products from which to choose, you can decide what roofing product to select for your roof replacement and contact Metro City Roofing for professional advice and roof installation.

The professionals at Metro City Roofing look forward to discussing your next roof replacement project.