Do brand names matter when replacing your roof?

Does Brand Matter when Buying A Roof?

A GLS Crew member installing shingles during a roof replacement.

When replacing your roof, selecting brand name manufacturers offers us a chance to have blanket opinions when faced with many specific choices. In the case of roofing, without one dedicated brand there would be countless choices on the shingles, underlayments, caps, nails, and venting. Most major manufacturers create their brands around a whole roof system. By installing their system they back the installers with additional warranties. Which in turn protects your investment as a homeowner. 

The warranty and the backing that it provides is one of the greatest reasons to consider the brands when purchasing a new roof. 

Most manufacturers will distinguish themselves in a few ways: 

Warranty package

Many years ago most architectural style asphalt shingles carried a 20 year warranty, which was reasonable for the time it would be exposed and on your roof. Then manufacturers started pushing it out to 25 and 30 years, and then now they have pushed it to 50 years and “lifetime”. In many cases it may not last 50 years, but it will experience less manufacturing defects within that 50 years. Be aware that a warranty may be sold as a lifetime guarantee when it only covers manufacturing defects and not the labor and workmanship. 

Wind Resistance and hail resistance

If you live in an area, like much of the midwest United States, that is prone to wind and hail events this is especially important. Insurance companies are becoming more aware of these attributes and advances in technology that allow for a roof to last longer even given these “acts of god”. These technologies can take a lot of different forms from changes in nailing technology, to changes in the makeup of the shingles. 

Nail strip or nailing zone

Some brands such as GAF have widened their common bond area of the nailing zone, thus allowing nails to be placed in a larger area while still holding the shingle to the roof, with these advancements they offer an unlimited wind warranty. They will tell stories of tornado events going through areas and you can see their Timberline HDZ shingle still holding strong on the roofs in the area. Other brands such as IKO and Owens Corning have developed a nail strip. The Owens Corning nail strip acts as a nail guide as well as an added area of adhesion for the shingles in the row above it. These advances lead back into the need to have longer warranties, because they are going to stay on your roof longer. 

Makeup and style of asphalt 

Brands like Malarkey are leading the way with SBS modified asphalt that integrates rubber into the asphalt mix. This allows for a greater hold on the granules as well as greater resistance to hail hits. I’ve seen markets where most roofs needed to be replaced due to hail and yet the malarkey roofs were nearly undamaged. 

Word of Warning 

Be aware of the brands you are choosing, some may have class action lawsuits that affect old shingle varieties, for the most part they are responsible with these issues and will make the necessary changes to prevent them in the future. 

Conclusion 

In the end it is important to consider the many factors of the shingle and the technology offered in the total roofing system. A great roofer is one who uses systems and is accredited by the manufacturer. 

Learn More