When your contractor hands you a shingle sample board, you are probably looking at three brands: GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. These three manufacturers account for the vast majority of residential shingles installed on Charlotte roofs. They all make quality products, but they are not identical — and the differences matter more than most homeowners realize.
Here is an honest side-by-side breakdown of what each brand offers, where they differ, and which one might be the right pick for your home.
Quick Overview of the Big Three
GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. Their Timberline series is the best-selling shingle in the country. They have been around since 1886 and their products are available through virtually every roofing contractor in Charlotte.
Owens Corning is one of the most recognized names in building materials — the pink panther branding is everywhere. Their Duration series is their flagship shingle line and it is specifically engineered for wind resistance. They are also one of the biggest fiberglass insulation manufacturers, which gives them a unique material science advantage.
CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a French building materials company with over 350 years of history. Their Landmark series is their bread-and-butter shingle and it is known for having a wider range of color options than the competition. CertainTeed tends to be the premium pick among the three. For a full overview of these and other roofing material brands, visit our roofing brands page.
Product Lines Compared
GAF Shingle Lineup
- Royal Sovereign: Their 3-tab shingle. Basic, affordable, 25-year warranty. Being phased out in favor of architectural lines.
- Timberline HDZ: The workhorse. Architectural shingle with a lifetime limited warranty, StainGuard Plus algae protection, and LayerLock technology for wind resistance up to 130 mph. This is what goes on most Charlotte roofs.
- Timberline AS II: A step up — same as HDZ but with a wider exposure for a more pronounced shadow line. Looks closer to natural wood shake.
- Camelot II: Designer shingle that mimics slate. Thick, heavy, dramatic look. Popular in upscale neighborhoods like Ballantyne and Weddington.
- Grand Sequoia: Their premium designer line with an oversized profile. Makes a bold statement but costs 40-60% more than Timberline.
Owens Corning Shingle Lineup
- Supreme: Their 3-tab option. Budget-friendly, 25-year warranty. Same story as GAF Royal Sovereign — builders use it, most homeowners pick architectural instead.
- Duration: Their flagship architectural shingle. Patented SureNail Technology — a reinforced nailing strip built into the shingle that gives it 130 mph wind resistance right off the bat. This is the direct competitor to GAF Timberline HDZ.
- Duration FLEX: More flexible than standard Duration, designed for roofs with complex angles. Good for homes with dormers, valleys, and hips.
- Berkshire: Their premium line mimicking natural slate. Gorgeous, heavy, expensive. CertainTeed's Grand Manor is the direct competitor here.
- TruDefinition Duration: Same as Duration but with a wider range of granule colors for a more dimensional look.
CertainTeed Shingle Lineup
- XT 25: Their 3-tab shingle. 25-year warranty, basic performance.
- Landmark: Their main architectural shingle. Known for the broadest color selection among the big three — over 20 color options in most markets. Carries a lifetime limited warranty and Max Def technology for a more vivid appearance.
- Landmark PRO: Step up from Landmark with thicker construction, better algae resistance, and a wider weather exposure. Competes directly with GAF Timberline AS II.
- NorthGate: A heavy-duty SBS polymer-modified shingle built for impact resistance. This is the go-to for homeowners worried about hail damage — and Charlotte gets its share of hail.
- Grand Manor: Their ultra-premium designer shingle. Mimics the look of natural slate with a multi-layered construction. The thickest, heaviest shingle CertainTeed makes.
Warranty Comparison
All three brands offer "lifetime" limited warranties on their architectural shingles, but the fine print matters:
- GAF: Lifetime limited warranty with a 10-year 100% coverage period (through their Golden Pledge or Silver Pledge programs when installed by a certified contractor). After 10 years, coverage is prorated. Wind warranty up to 130 mph with Timberline HDZ.
- Owens Corning: Lifetime limited warranty. Their Preferred Protection period covers the first 10 years at 100% on materials and labor if installed by a Platinum Preferred Contractor. Their SureNail Technology includes a 130 mph wind warranty.
- CertainTeed: Lifetime limited warranty. Their SureStart period covers 100% of materials and labor for up to 10 years on Landmark and 15 years on Landmark PRO. Wind warranty up to 110 mph on Landmark, 130 mph on Landmark PRO.
The key difference is that the best warranty coverage requires installation by a manufacturer-certified contractor. This is not just marketing — certified installers have been trained and vetted by the manufacturer, and the warranty coverage is significantly better than what you get from a non-certified installer. When you are getting quotes for a roof replacement in Charlotte, ask which manufacturer certification the contractor holds.
Contractor Certification Programs
Each manufacturer has a tiered certification system for contractors. Higher tiers mean more training, stricter requirements, and better warranties for you:
GAF Contractor Tiers
- Certified: Base level. Has completed GAF training and can offer standard warranties.
- Master Elite: Top 2% of roofers in North America. Must carry insurance, have a proven track record, and maintain ongoing education. Can offer GAF's best warranty — Golden Pledge, which covers materials AND labor for 25 years (non-prorated for the first 10).
Owens Corning Contractor Tiers
- Preferred Contractor: Base certified level. Can offer extended warranties.
- Platinum Preferred Contractor: Highest level. Requires excellent customer feedback scores, insurance verification, and ongoing training. Offers the best Owens Corning warranty package — Platinum Protection with 50-year non-prorated coverage.
CertainTeed Contractor Tiers
- ShingleMaster: Base level for residential installers. Can offer standard warranties.
- SELECT ShingleMaster: Higher tier. Requires more training and better customer feedback. Can offer the SureStart PLUS warranty extension.
- Master Shingle Applicator (residential): The top tier. Must demonstrate expertise through testing and maintain high customer satisfaction. Qualifies you for the best warranties.
In the Charlotte area, you will find roofing companies with certifications from all three brands. Some contractors carry certifications from two or even all three manufacturers, which gives them (and you) more flexibility in choosing materials.
Pricing Comparison
For a typical 2,000 square foot Charlotte home, here is what you can expect to pay for the most popular product from each brand (materials and installation):
- GAF Timberline HDZ: $10,000 – $13,500
- Owens Corning Duration: $10,500 – $14,000
- CertainTeed Landmark: $10,500 – $14,000
- CertainTeed Landmark PRO: $11,500 – $15,000
The price differences between brands at the same tier are small — usually $500-$1,500 for a whole roof. The bigger cost factor is the contractor you choose, not the brand. For a full breakdown of what drives roofing costs, check out our 2025 Charlotte roof cost guide.
Which Brand Works Best for Charlotte's Climate?
Charlotte sits in climate zone 3A — hot, humid summers, mild winters, and regular severe thunderstorms with hail and high winds. Here is how each brand addresses those conditions:
Wind resistance: All three offer 130 mph wind warranties on their flagship products. GAF's LayerLock and Owens Corning's SureNail are both mechanical reinforcement systems that keep shingles from lifting in high winds. CertainTeed's Landmark achieves wind resistance through their quad-sealant adhesive. All three work well — Charlotte has seen 80+ mph straight-line winds in severe storms, and all three brands hold up when properly installed.
Algae resistance: Those black streaks you see on older roofs are actually algae (Gloeocapsa magma) that thrives in Charlotte's humidity. All three brands now include copper or zinc granules in their shingles to prevent algae growth. GAF's StainGuard Plus, Owens Corning's StreakGuard, and CertainTeed's StreakFighter all come standard on their architectural lines. Charlotte homeowners should make sure their shingle has algae protection — it is a real issue here, especially in shaded areas in neighborhoods like Dilworth and NoDa where mature trees are everywhere.
Impact resistance: If hail is your biggest concern, CertainTeed's NorthGate shingle is the standout. It carries a Class 4 impact rating (the highest), which can get you a discount on your homeowner's insurance premium. GAF and Owens Corning offer impact-resistant options too, but NorthGate is the one Charlotte roofers recommend most for hail-prone areas.
So Which One Should You Pick?
Honestly, you cannot go wrong with any of the three. They all make excellent shingles that hold up well in Charlotte's climate. Here is a rough guide to help you narrow it down:
- Pick GAF Timberline HDZ if: You want the most widely available shingle with the broadest contractor support. Nearly every roofer in Charlotte can install it. The LayerLock technology is proven and the color options are solid.
- Pick Owens Corning Duration if: Wind resistance is your top priority. The SureNail strip is the best mechanical fastening system on the market. If you live in an exposed area near Lake Norman or on a hilltop, this is a strong choice.
- Pick CertainTeed Landmark if: Color selection and aesthetics matter most to you. CertainTeed offers the widest range of colors and their shingles tend to have a slightly more textured, dimensional look. If you are matching an HOA color requirement, CertainTeed gives you the most options.
The most important decision is not the brand — it is the contractor. A well-installed GAF roof will outperform a poorly installed CertainTeed roof every time. Focus on finding a roofing company you trust in Charlotte, make sure they are certified by the brand they recommend, and ask to see their recent work in your neighborhood. You can also compare costs in our metal versus asphalt shingles breakdown if you are considering stepping outside the traditional shingle market entirely.