Whether installing a new roof or replacing your old one, there are many roof shingle companies to choose from.
CertainTeed and Owens Corning are among the most popular choices for homeowners and homebuilders nationwide.
Both companies offer a wide range of shingle products known for their durability and quality, so choosing between CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles for your roofing project boils down to the nuances.
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CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Average Cost
Regardless of the brand you choose, the exact cost of a roofing project will depend on several factors.
These include the home’s square footage, the complexity of the roof, the shingles you choose, and the local labor rates.
CertainTeed shingles are known for their superior quality.
However, this quality comes at a cost.
On average, installing CertainTeed shingles on a 2,000-square-foot roof will cost between $8,000 and $18,000.
This estimate includes the materials and a professional installation.
The total cost estimate is significantly lower when discussing Owens Corning shingles.
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $4,000 and $10,000 to cover their 2,000-square-foot roof with these shingles.
| Roof Shingle Brand | Average Material Cost per Square Foot | Average Labor Cost per Square Foot | Average Total Cost for a 2,000-Square-Foot Roof |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Corning | $0.50-$2.50 | $1.50-$2.50 | $4,000-$10,000 |
| CertainTeed | $1-$4 | $3-$5 | $8,000-$18,000 |
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CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles Cost Breakdown
When installing a new asphalt shingle roof, homeowners must consider two costs: the materials and labor.
A professional installation of an asphalt shingle roof typically runs between $1.5 and $2.5 per square foot.
However, if you want to hire a CertainTeed-certified roofer for the job, be prepared to pay more. These installations will make you eligible for extended warranties but can cost up to $5 per square foot.
Other factors that can raise the labor cost include:
- Roof accessibility issues
- Multiple house stories
- Many roof valleys and penetrations
- Damaged roof substrate
- Removing multiple layers of old roofing
As for the materials, CertainTeed shingles range from $1 per square foot for 3-tab shingles to $4 per square foot for luxury architectural shingles.
This translates to a $100-$400 range per roofing square for CertainTeed shingles.
In contrast, Owens Corning shingles range from $0.50 per square foot for 3-tab shingles to $2.50 per square foot for the brand’s premium offerings.
So for Owens Corning shingles, homeowners can expect to pay between $50 and $250 per roofing square.
When it comes to bundles, their prices vary dramatically based on the shingle count and roof coverage.
What’s the Roof Coverage per Bundle?
As a rule of thumb, three bundles of roof shingles should cover one roofing square.
In roofing terms, a square refers to 100 square feet of roofing areas, so each bundle should cover approximately 33.33 square feet.
However, CertainTeed and Owens Corning rarely stick to this rule with their bundles of asphalt shingles.
Most CertainTeed bundles cover 25 square feet or less, so you’ll need at least four or five bundles to cover a roofing square.
As for Owens Corning, some shingle series follow the traditional three-bundles-per-square rule. However, there are also product lines that cover less than 20 square feet, so you’ll need to purchase six bundles to cover a square.
Pro Tip: To avoid issues with material quantity, always measure your roof first. Then, check product specifications to determine how many bundles you’ll need per square. Both companies provide guidelines and a roofing shingle calculator on their websites to make estimating the total amount of bundles you’ll need easier.
What’s the Roof Shingle Count per Bundle?
CertainTeed and Owens Corning are pretty reliable when it comes to shipping the exact number of shingles in a bundle, as stated in the product specification.
However, these numbers vary dramatically depending on the style of the shingles you choose.
For Owens Corning, this number ranges from nine to 25 shingles per bundle.
CertainTeed manufactures smaller bundles, ranging from 10 to 16 shingles.
CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Quality
Regarding quality, CertainTeed and Owens Corning are neck and neck.
In fact, these two brands often take turns being the No. 1 and No. 2 highest quality asphalt shingle manufacturer on the market, according to numerous testing agencies and roofing contractors.
Although both companies dominate the rankings, slight differences can be spotted in the quality of their products.
For instance, Owens Corning shingles outperform their CertainTeed competitors when it comes to impact resistance.
These shingles can withstand extreme weather conditions and handle all the elements while staying attached.
Another aspect where Owens Corning shingles have a slight advantage in quality is granule loss.
Shingles keeping their granules intact is essential for the roof’s durability. Owens Corning shingles are known for having minimal granule loss, which translates to superior durability and longevity.
Did you know? A certain amount of granule loss is inevitable with asphalt shingles. For this reason, many companies manufacture their shingles with more granules than necessary to account for granule loss during the installation process and beyond.
CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Color/Look Options
Although a roof primarily serves to protect your home, you also want it to look great.
After all, the roof is a prominent element of a home and can contribute immensely to the property’s curb appeal.
Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning offer an impressive range of colors and design options in their shingle assortment.
CertainTeed provides at least seven color options for most shingle lines it offers.
The company’s coveted Landmark Pro series offers over 20 color choices.
However, most color options across the brand’s offer are more muted, like shades of gray and black.
If you want a more striking color, your choices of shingles are somewhat limited. You’ll only find gorgeous colors like Victorian Blue, Red Oak, or Sherwood Forest green in a few shingle lines.
Things are pretty much the same when it comes to Owens Corning.
There’s no shortage of blacks, browns, and grays in the company’s offer.
But if you want to add dramatic color contrast to your roof, you’ll have to choose your shingle carefully.
For example, for a beautiful purplish Midnight Plum color, captivating Chateau Green, or a warm and earthy Terra Cotta red, you’ll have to choose the Duration series.
CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Shingles Style Selection
Not all shingles are created equal.
Different styles of roof shingles can be used to achieve different aesthetic effects.
Besides aesthetic preferences, different styles of shingles can be better suited for specific climates.
In this department, CertainTeed scores a landslide victory.
The brand manufactures as many as 20 different styles of roof shingles, which is more than double what Owens Corning offers.
Some of the most popular CertainTeed shingles include:
- CertainTeed Landmark. The Landmark line is CertainTeed’s top seller and a staple product for the brand. These dimensional shingles come with a limited lifetime warranty and are available in 24 colors, ranging from Cinder Black to Silver Birch. Thanks to the popularity of the Landmark series, CertainTeed has added several other product lines to the Landmark family. These include the Landmark PRO line with thicker shingles and the Landmark ClimateFlex line featuring shingles with superb all-weather performance.
- CertainTeed XT25. XT25 shingles are traditional 3-tab shingles with exceptional resistance to the elements. They are available in 16 visually appealing colors.
- CertainTeed Highland Slate. The Highland Slate shingles are 4-tab shingles made to mimic the appearance of natural slate. They are thicker and provide better wind resistance. These shingles are available in five color options.
- CertainTeed Presidential Shake. The Presidential Shake shingles are high-quality 2-tab shingles with the performance of asphalt but the curb appeal of cedar shake roofing. These stunning shingles are available in seven colors. The Presidential Shake product family also spawned a few additional shingle lines, including the Presidential TL shingles with three layers for added weather protection and the Presidential IR shingles with modified asphalt for enhanced impact resistance.
As for Owens Corning, the most popular shingle lines are as follows:
- Owens Corning Duration. Owens Corning’s top-selling product, Duration architectural shingles, comes in 15 colors and provides ultimate protection and impressive curb appeal. Several other lines have joined the Duration product family, including the Duration Storm shingles with Class 4 impact resistance and Duration Designer shingles with spectacular curb appeal.
- Owens Corning Supreme. Supreme shingles are traditional, non-dimensional 3-tab shingles produced in 11 colors, from Shasta White to Onyx Black.
- Owens Corning Oakridge. The Oakridge dimensional shingles are immensely popular thanks to their warm and inviting look and wood shake appearance. They come in six color options.
- Owens Corning Berkshire. The Berkshire shingles represent the brand’s premium line of architectural shingles. They resemble natural slate and feature unique shadow lines for added dimension. These shingles are available in five colors.
Note that not all shingle lines and colors will be sold everywhere.
The availability of specific lines depends mainly on the region but also on the availability of the shingles themselves.
For instance, the Owens Corning Berkshire shingles are generally limited in availability and will be more challenging to acquire.
Pro Tip: If you’re shopping for roof shingles online, order samples to ensure you make the right choice for your roofing project. For those shopping in person, trade shows are an excellent opportunity to inspect their chosen shingles closely.
Cost per sq. ft.
Roof Size:
Roofing Material:
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CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Warranty
Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning offer excellent roofing warranties with no troublesome language or questionable exclusions.
However, Owens Corning offers more opportunities for extended warranties with impressive coverage length.
Pro Tip: Avoid basing your final decision solely on the company’s warranty. Unfortunately, most warranty claims end up being denied unless the manufacturer defect is severe and evident. This rings true for most roofing brands, not just CertainTeed and Owens Corning. Since most claims are denied based on installation errors, hiring an experienced roofer with a proven track record for your project is essential.
CertainTeed offers several types of warranties:
- SureStart warranty. This is CertainTeed’s basic warranty covering all shingle products. It lasts between five and 10 years, depending on the chosen line. CertainTeed will reimburse customers for full material and labor costs during the SureStart protection period, provided it determines that the shingles are defective.
- Limited wind warranty. This warranty guarantees that the CertainTeed shingles will resist blow-off damage when faced with winds up to 110 miles per hour. All shingles are covered by this warranty, except the XT25 series, which can withstand winds up to 60 miles per hour.
- Limited algae warranty. CertainTeed warrants that their shingles will remain free from blue-green algae growth, which can affect the roof’s overall appearance, for 10 to 15 years, depending the shingle series.
- Limited lifetime warranty. This warranty covers all shingle products CertainTeed offers. However, the exact duration of this warranty depends on the product line but ranges from 25 years to 50 years.
Owens Corning offers similar warranty protection.
The coverage period for each warranty depends on the number of products bought and the required certification for your contractor.
- TRU PROtection. Equivalent to the SureStart, this plan offers complete warranty protection. At Owens Corning, this period can be extended to 50 years under the right circumstances.
- Blow Off Coverage. Similar to CertainTeed’s wind warranty, this protection lasts for the first 15 years for all shingle lines.
- StreakGuard Algae Resistance. This warranty does the same as the limited algae warranty from CertainTeed but covers the shingles for up to 25 years.
- Limited lifetime warranty. All Owens Corning shingle warranties are lifetime, covering manufacturing defects as long as you own your home.
CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Reputation
Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning have an excellent reputation among roofers and homeowners alike.
These companies are known to offer excellent customer service and manufacture only high-quality products.
CertainTeed vs Owens Corning Shingles: Resale Value
A new roof is a substantial investment that will significantly enhance your home’s resale value.
However, the cost-to-value return for asphalt shingles rarely surpasses 70%, regardless of the brand you use.
So, you will have trouble recouping your money if you choose the high-end, costly shingles from either brand.
Pro Tip: If you’re looking to resell, it’s better to go for a popular mid-range shingle, such as CertainTeed Landmark or Owens Corning Duration. With these shingles, you’ll be able to achieve the maximum return on investment.
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Benefits Of CertainTeed
CertainTeed has been manufacturing roofing products for over 100 years.
Few companies could survive such a long period without offering superior products.
The company stands out for the following reasons:
- CertainTeed offers some of the heaviest shingles in the industry, making them highly durable and resistant.
- The company offers unique designer shingles that few other manufacturers can replicate.
- CertainTeed shingles come with multiple layers of protection, reducing the risk of a leak.
- CertainTeed shingles are covered by extensive warranties, some of the best in the industry.
Benefits Of Owens Corning
Although Owens Corning joined the roofing game a little later than CertainTeed, the company has had no trouble catching up.
Today, Owens Corning is one of the leading roofing manufacturers in the industry, and for a good reason:
- Owens Corning offers excellent value for money, manufacturing durable and high-quality products at relatively affordable prices.
- The company offers some of the best transferable warranties in the roofing game, with coverage periods few competitors can match.
- Owens Corning shingles include waterproof base layers and ventilation, making them highly protective.
- Thanks to their impressive features, Owens Corning’s premium-quality shingles create a weather-proof roof.
What Shingles Are Better: Owens Corning Or CertainTeed?
There’s no doubt both CertainTeed and Owens Corning manufacture shingles of exceptional quality.
After all, the brands have been around for decades, giving them enough time to master their manufacturing processes.
However, Owens Corning shingles have a slight edge compared to CertainTeed.
They suffer less granule loss, have higher impact resistance, and are covered with more extensive warranties.
Still, CertainTeed offers a broader selection of shingle colors and styles.
So ultimately, the choice boils down to your preferences.
When Owens Corning Is a Better Choice
Owens Corning shingles are a better choice for:
- Homeowners who want to DIY the roof installation project. These shingles have a wider nailing zone, allowing an easier installation.
- Homeowners on a budget. Owens Corning offers more budget-friendly options as well as better value for money overall.
- Homeowners living in an area susceptible to high winds. The Owens Corning Duration series features the company’s patented SureNail technology that guarantees impressive wind resistance.
When CertainTeed Is a Better Choice
Homeowners should choose CertainTeed shingles if:
- They want an upscale look without breaking the bank. CertainTeed manufactures several super-premium lines that can perfectly mimic more expensive roofing materials like slate.
- They are worried about warranty coverage. Although Owens Corning offers more extended coverage periods, CertainTeed also warrants its products for workmanship. As long as homeowners hire one of the company’s certified roofing contractors, they have nothing to worry about regarding product and installation errors.
A Tight Race
As you can see, CertainTeed and Owens Corning have been competing for the top spot in the roof shingle industry for a reason.
Therefore, it’s safe to say you can’t go wrong by choosing either brand.
You can make the final decision by defining your priorities and checking which brand matches them more closely.
If you’re still unsure of the right choice, you can consult a professional roofer familiar with both brands.
These professionals can visit your property to evaluate your roof and give you an expert opinion on the best roofing materials for your home.
For over 20 years Leo has run a successful roofing business in New England, specializing in metal roofing, as well as cool flat roofing technologies. Having replaced and installed hundreds of roofs in New England, Leo has first hand experience with pretty much every residential roofing material and roofing manufacturer available in the US.
