You might think all shingles are made the same. After all, shingles generally have the same flat, rectangular shape and thickness, right? The truth is that, throughout the years, many brands have formulated their own unique shingles, each with strengths and weaknesses, as well as different colors, pricing, and material types. That is why you need to do your research to figure out which reputable brand is going to have the shingles you need.
Today, we’re going to look at a comparison of two trusted brands—Owens Corning and CertainTeed. Is Owens Corning better than CertainTeed or is the opposite true? Let’s find out.
About CertainTeed Shingles
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CertainTeed is a leading brand of shingles available throughout North America and has been around since the 1940s. The company also offer three major categories of shingles: dimensional shingles, strip shingles, and luxury shingles.
CertainTeed’s strip shingles include CT20 and XT20. They are made with a single layer, are lightweight, and relatively cheap when compared to other heavier shingles. As the name suggests, these are 20-year shingles.
CertainTeed’s Landmark series (including Landmark Pro, Landmark Premium, and Landmark TL) is more heavy duty than their CT20 and XT20 series. The regular Landmark shingles are rated as 30-year shingles, while Landmark Pro and Landmark Premium are 40- to 50-year shingles.
Luxury shingles by CertainTeed include Grand Manor, Carriage House, and Arcadia Shake shingles. These shingles are by far the heaviest and offer high quality protection, an amazing range of colors, and fantastic warranties.
All CertainTeed shingles have a guarantee against mold growth (StreakFighter). These shingles are also most popular for sloped roofing.
About Owens Corning Shingles
Found in 1938, Owens Corning is another manufacturer of trusted shingles. Specializing in fiberglass products, the company has long been known for high quality insulation and their Surenail technology. There are two basic styles of shingles available from Owens Corning: Laminate shingles and 3-tab shingles.
The Owens Corning 3-tab shingles use fiberglass within the core and are enveloped by asphalt, gravel seals, and a mineral surface. They have a 60 mph wind resistance and are covered by a 25-year limited warranty. They also have a 10-year algae resistance warranty.
The laminate shingles from Owens Corning are made from two bonded shingles, making them heavier and more durable than the single-layer 3 -tab shingles. They have a wind resistance of 130 mph and 15 years of guaranteed algae resistance.
CertainTeed vs. Owens Corning: Which is Better?
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Which brand is the best? By looking at the warranties available, features, colors, pricing, weight, and other factors, you can easily determine which brand of shingles is correct for you. That said, here are some pros and cons of each brand.
Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning offer unique roofing systems for total protection. CertainTeed uses their own ridge caps, their WinterGuard waterproof barrier, DiamondDeck (synthetic water-resistant barrier), ridge vents, and hip shingles to deliver extraordinary protection. On the other hand, Owens Corning created the Total Protection roof, using a basic underlayment made of felt, ProArmor synthetic, and Deck Defense. Owens Corning also offers WeatherLock barriers to keep out moisture and cold air. This is ideal for houses built in regions with a freeze/thaw cycle. Both allow for enhanced ventilation and both have their own specialty crafted hip/ridge shingles and starter shingles.
CertainTeed has a better warranty than Owens Corning by offering more coverage within their lifetime limited warranties than Owens Corning. However, both have enhanced warranties if you use a certified contractor. Both companies offer transferable warranties on their pricier shingles.
Shingle Selection
Does Owens Corning beat CertainTeed when it comes to colors, textures, and types of shingles? Possibly. CertainTeed has a tremendous line of shingles, ranging from budget-friendly to specialty, allowing you to select shingles that will last longer than average in your region’s climate or your home’s location.
However, Owens Corning makes 7 distinct shingle lines, each one with a range of 4-14 different colors (with availability dependent on where you live). Owens Corning makes impact-resistant shingles, Energy Star rated shingles, ones with better wind protection, and ones with enhanced StreakGuard protection, which lasts for 15 years. Other shingles only have 10-year protection.
To compare, CertainTeed shingles all come with 15-year StreakFighter protection, minus their 20-year shingles and 30-year Landmark shingles. Additionally, all CertainTeed shingles have received as Class A fire rating.
CertainTeed shingles are some of the heaviest shingles on the market today. They weigh around 30 percent more than other brands. This means that they offer more shielding from debris. Owens Corning, on the other hand, is noted to be on the thin side.
This brings us to one resounding negative with Owens Corning shingles: noted defects in their shingles. While CertainTeed has had a fair share of manufacturing issues, Owens Corning shingles have color variation problems (where people do not get the color they ordered) as well as installation and manufacturing defects.
Because of this home inspectors tend to favor CertainTeed shingles over Owens Corning shingles. However, this may change depending on your region. It is best to read other reviews from previous buyers to see what common problems are between the two brands then make your choice from there.
Conclusion
So, are CertainTeed shingles better than Owens Corning shingles? Both shingles are made well and come with competitive warranties, similar color choices, and quality. That said, CertainTeed shingles are heavier, offering more protection, and seem to hold up to wear and tear much better than Owens Corning shingles.
Have more questions about Owens Corning shingles or CertainTeed shingles? Check out our other blogs. And be sure to fill out the contact form so you can receive updates and other news from us!