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Asphalt Roof Shingle Comparison: Owens Corning vs. CertainTeed vs. GAF

September 18, 2026 | By Pat Ward

There are a lot of asphalt roofing companies out there, each with subtle differences across performance. How can you realize which is best for your home?

At C&L Ward, we’ve helped more than 3,500 households install a new roof. Though we are an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, we do also offer CertainTeed and Tamko shingles. We want homeowners to understand and have the choice of a range of options, so they can pick what’s best for them.

That’s why we compare the ‘Big Three’ shingle manufacturers here—including choices we don’t carry—so you can decide best for you. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have a better understanding of how three of the most popular, quality shingle series compare.

Quick Answer:

For Michigan’s climate, these three manufactures each offer great and very similarly performing products. 

  • Owens Corning: Best for Overall Warranty
  • CertainTeed: Best for Energy Efficiency
  • GAF: Best for Color Selection

If you’re comparing Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and GAF shingles, pick what best fits your budget and aesthetic.From there, installation quality, proper ventilation, and hiring a brand-certified contractor matters most. Even the highest-quality product will fail if it isn’t properly installed.

To read more in-depth about how asphalt shingles compare to other materials, read our article, “Asphalt, Metal, or Slate: Which Roofing Material Is Best for Michigan Homes?”

Table of Contents

A Brief Introduction To Owens Corning, CertainTeed, And GAF’s Asphalt Shingles

Owens Corning is known for its Duration Series, CertainTeed for its Landmark Series, and General Aniline & Film (GAF) for its Timberline HDZ shingles. Though each manufacturer may offer more than one line, these are their most purchased. For the purposes of this article, we will directly compare these three series. 

What Matters Most In Asphalt Shingles?

We’ve compiled a list of qualities to compare what homeowners value most when choosing a shingle manufacturer. Once you understand what matters most to you, you can start weighing and comparing options in the following sections.

1. Durability

The performance of a roof is often measured in lifespan and wind resistance. Lifespan refers to how many years you can expect your roof to protect your home from the elements. Wind resistance is the force your shingles have been tested against and are able to withstand. 

2. Energy Efficiency

The way a roof reflects solar energy back into the atmosphere and its ability to radiate heat can be measured in one value—the Solar Reflectance Index (SRI). The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) is a nonprofit that measures and shares SRIs for different manufacturers and product lines.

A roof’s SRI can fall anywhere from 0 (absorbs all heat, hot) to 100 (reflects all heat, cool). The average asphalt shingle will fall somewhere in the 14 – 34 range after three years of weathering. A higher range indicates that your roof is good at maintaining the temperature inside your house and keeping the outdoor temperature outside. 

The exact SRI of shingles vary drastically by color and series. We have provided a range of each line’s SRI values in the table below. If you have an exact shingle in mind, you can check its performance online with the CRRC Roof Directory.

3. Cost

Asphalt shingles are priced per square foot, not at a flat rate per roof. The prices provided in the table below include installation in the cost. These numbers may vary depending on the exact shape of your roof and the installer you use.

4. Warranty

All three companies offer a manufacturer warranty, which protects your product from any failures resulting from the manufacturing process. Not all offer a workmanship warranty, which protects you from damages resulting from improper installation.

  • Owens Corning offers basic workmanship warranty protections to clients, and offers advanced warranty protections free of charge to those who use a Platinum Preferred contractor.
  • CertainTeed does not offer a workmanship warranty.
  • GAF does offer a workmanship warranty, provided the client (1) hires a certified contractor and (2) purchases a warranty upgrade. Because this warranty is a premium, not included, it is not reflected in the table below. 

If you choose a reputable contractor, workmanship warranties are typically provided by the roofing installation company.

To learn more about different warranties and what they do, read “What are the Different Types of Home Exterior Improvement Warranties and What do they Protect?”

5. Color Options

Your roof and siding work together to turn your home into a statement piece. While the color of your shingles is more aesthetic than function, it’s something you’ll come home to every day. Many homeowners value a wide variety of color options in order to pick the best match to suit their tastes.

The manufacturers may offer more colors than what is reflected in the table below. The numbers provided are for the series specified above, not a reflection of all product lines.

6. Streak or Stain Protection

Moisture, shade, and the organic materials your roof are exposed to can cause algae to grow on your roof. This can leave black stains or streaks on your shingles, which copper can help to prevent. The Big Three shingle manufacturers each design their products to resist algae growth.

  • Owens Corning StreakGuard™ Algae Resistance Protection: Owens Corning® shingles use a specialized copper-lined granule to prevent algae growth.
  • CertainTeed StreakFighter®: CertainTeed’s granules feature a mineral interior, coated in copper, inside a ceramic exterior.
  • GAF StainGuard Plus™: GAF uses a “Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology” that releases thousands of copper microsites over time to fight algae growth.

7. Trademarked Technology

Each of the Big Three shingle manufacturers offers something unique about how their shingles are secured to your roof.

  • Owens Corning SureNail® Technology: Owens Corning’s SureNail Technology is an engineered fabric that reinforces the nailing zone. It helps to resist nail pull-through, nail blow-through. and delamination.
  • CertainTeed QuadraBond™ Adhesive Technology: QuadraBond holds shingles together at four points of adhesion, seen in blue. This advanced layering is complemented by a bright nail line for easy installation.
  • GAF LayerLock™ and Advanced Protection Technology: GAF’s LayerLock fuses shingles together, asphalt-to-asphalt, where they overlap. This bonded overlap becomes a strong, wide nailing area.

Quick Comparison Chart: Owens Corning Vs. CertainTeed Vs. GAF Asphalt Shingles

This table shows durability, energy efficiency, cost per square foot, product warranty, workmanship warranty, color options, protections, technology, and a “best for” ranking for each manufacturer. Owens Corning’s Duration Series: 25 to 20 years, withstands winds up to 130 miles per hour, 15 to 17 SRI, $4.75 to $8.50 per square foot, 10 to 50 Year Limited product Warranty*, 10 Years to Lifetime Limited Workmanship Warranty*, 25+ TruDefinition® colors, StreakGuard™ Algae Resistance Protection, SureNail® Technology, and Triple Layer Protection®, best for Overall Warranty CertainTeed’s Landmark Series: 25 to 30+ years, withstands winds up to 110 mph, 15 to 30 SRI, $5.00 to $11.00 per square foot, Lifetime Limited Warranty, 20+ Max Def colors, StreakFighter®, QuadraBond™ adhesive technology, best for Energy Efficiency GAF’s Timberline HDZ: 20 to 30 years, withstands winds up to 130 mph, 16 to 24 SRI, $4.50 to $9.00 per square foot, Lifetime Limited Warranty, 35+ colors, StainGuard Plus™, LayerLock™, Advanced Protection Technology, best for Color Selection

*As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, C&L Ward is proud to offer a 50 Year Product warranty and a Lifetime Workmanship Warranty on our roofs and roofing systems.

What Type Of Maintenance Is Required For An Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Or GAF Asphalt Roof?

Each of these three shingle manufacturers offer a minimal-maintenance product. Your roof should be regularly inspected by a professional, especially if you notice any leaks or damage. Broken shingles need to be replaced, and gutters should be cleaned regularly to prevent water damage. 

Your roof may require occasional cleaning. Remove any large branches promptly—even if the branch doesn’t damage your roof when it falls, the wood may trap moisture that can damage shingles.

How Does Each Asphalt Shingle Perform In Michigan’s Climate?

Asphalt can withstand strong winds, hot summers, cold winters, and even hail. However, proper ventilation is essential. Without it, moisture may become trapped and damage your roof and shingles more quickly. 

In all honesty, these three manufacture great but very similar performing products. If you’re comparing Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and GAF shingles, pick what best fits your budget and aesthetic.

From there, installation quality, proper ventilation, and hiring a brand-certified contractor matter most. Even the highest-quality product will fail if it isn’t properly installed.

How To Compare Roofing Costs And Installers

Now that you understand the differences between asphalt shingle brands, you might feel ready to start researching, “How Much Does a New Roof Really Cost in Michigan?” You can also visit C&L Ward’s Roofing Pricing page to explore options and receive an instant price range for what you can expect to pay for your project.

If you’re ready to start considering contractors, we recommend reading our article, “Who Are the Best Roofing Installers in Southeastern Michigan?”