Are you trying to cut roofing costs but worried that a budget shingle won’t hold up in Seattle’s harsh, wet climate? Have you seen a dozen similar-looking shingles and still have no idea which one will actually last or which warranties will protect you if something goes wrong?
We know how tempting it is to go with the cheapest roofing option—especially when a new roof in Seattle can cost $35,000 or more. But saving money up front can cost you more in the long run if the shingle doesn’t hold up to heavy rain, algae growth, or poor installation.
At RoofSmart, we match hundreds of customers every year with the best roof for them by making recommendations based on their budget, needs, and preferences. We believe that you should understand exactly how your shingle performs in Seattle weather (including the pros and cons) before buying it.
In this article, we’ll break down the most popular budget shingles for Seattle homeowners, highlighting their pros, cons, and real-world performance, so you can choose the one that gives you the most value without sacrificing peace of mind.
Are budget shingles worth it in Seattle’s climate?
It’s no secret that Seattle has a high cost of living, which means that the cost of installing new shingles on your roof is going to be pretty high (typically around $35,000).
Some Seattle homeowners try to lower roofing costs by choosing the budget shingle option, which (with all other components unchanged) will usually save no more than 5-8% on the project. But will budget shingles protect your roof from Seattle’s rain and wind?
Budget shingles are made as thin as legally possible to meet the ASTM rating threshold, meaning that they cut back on strength, durability, and quality. Typically, when we inspect roofs, we notice that budget shingles only last about 10 years before they begin to experience serious granule loss and other issues.
We don’t recommend choosing budget shingles because there are better, more durable options for just a little bit more. I’m going to give you the truth, and at the end of the day, the decision is up to you. So if you’re looking for a budget shingle, this article will help you compare your options.
Which budget shingle is best for my Seattle home?
Although most manufacturers are reducing production of budget shingles, there are still a fair number of options available. To help you find the best option for your home, we’ve created a list of pros and cons for the most popular budget shingle options for Seattle area homeowners.
Malarkey Highlander AR
The Malarkey Highlander AR is their entry-level architectural shingle. It has a classic shingle look and, like all of their shingles, is polymer-modified for added durability.
Pros:
- Made with algae-resistant technology
- Looks good enough from far away
- Eco-friendly: This shingle is made with granules that fight emission air pollution, cleaning up the air in your neighborhood.
- Rubberized for durability: All of Malarkey’s shingles are rubberized, which is rare for budget shingles. This gives the shingle better impact resistance and flexibility in cold weather.
Cons:
- Only been out for one year (it was reformulated, formerly a strip shingle and we don’t know how it will perform over the years)
- Warranty coverage isn’t as strong as others: Malarkey offers multiple levels of coverage for their shingles, but they don’t have as many coverage options as their top competitors. And there’s a lot of exclusions for coverage.
PABCO Premier
The PABCO Premier is a laminated fiberglass shingle that offers 8 different color options and built-in algae resistance technology.
Pros:
- Thicker than other budget shingle options on this list: This gives the shingle a little bit of extra durability (but it’s still a thin shingle).
- Algae resistance - but not standard. They make it with and without, so buyer beware.
- Locally made in Tacoma: This makes it the go-to option for small local roofing companies.
Cons:
- Only offer a defect warranty: PABCO offers a standard warranty that protects against manufacturing defects, but there is no workmanship protection. Workmanship errors are more likely than product defects, so it’s nice to have coverage for them (especially in a rainy area like Seattle, where workmanship errors often result in leaks).
GAF Timberline NS
The GAF Timberline NS (Natural Shadow) shingles are one of GAF’s thinnest shingles. However, their design creates a dimensional look, elevating the look of classic shingles.
Pros:
- Good color variety: You get 7 color options to choose from, giving you the ability to match the aesthetic of your home.
- Top warranty access: When installed by a Weatherstopper Preferred Contractor, eligible for a 50-year defect warranty and 10-25 year workmanship warranty from GAF.
Cons:
- Only been out for about a year: This is a fairly new product, so we don’t know how it will perform over the years.
- Designed to be as thin as possible: This shingle has the look of a typical architectural shingle, but it is made to be much thinner.
CertainTeed Patriot XL
The CertainTeed Patriot XL shingles have tabs that are slightly larger than regular shingles, giving a unique twist to the classic asphalt shingle look.
Pros:
- A bit thicker than other options: Although it’s still a thin budget shingle, the Patriot XL has some added durability due to it being slightly thicker than a typical budget shingle.
- Affordable pricing: This is one of CertainTeed’s most affordable roofing materials.
- Top warranty access: When purchased through a SELECT Shinglemaster from CertainTeed, it is eligible for their 5-star warranty coverage.
Cons:
- Has only been around for a short time: Just like with other new budget shingles, we’ll have to keep an eye on this one in the coming years to get an actual sense of how it performs.
- Only comes in 4 colors: This shingle has significantly fewer color options than the other budget shingles on this list, so you’ll have to be ok with limited color selection.
- Made in Canada, so the price is impacted by tariffs: The price of these shingles is unstable at this time as manufacturers anticipate increases from tariffs.
- No algae resistance: CertainTeed does not offer algae resistance technology for this shingle. This is a bummer for Seattle homeowners because we live in a damp, shaded area that creates prime conditions for algae growth.
Owens Corning Oakridge
The Oakridge is Owens Corning’s thinnest and most affordable shingle. Because it’s technically a budget shingle, it has all of the benefits of an architectural shingle (like good warranty coverage and algae resistance).
Pros:
- Has been around for over a decade: Because this product has been around for a while, we actually know how it performs in Seattle weather over a long period of time (unlike the other new products on this list).
- Eligible for premium warranty coverage: Most budget shingles are only eligible for lower-tier warranty coverage. However, if you have an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor install your Oakridge shingles, you’ll have access to their premium warranty, which includes 25 years of coverage for workmanship errors in addition to a 50-year defect warranty.
- Lots of color options: With the Oakridge, you can choose from 9 different colors. This makes it easier to match the aesthetic of your home.
- Algae resistance technology: This shingle uses Owens Corning’s StreakGuard algae protection technology to protect your roof.
Cons:
- Lower wind resistance: The Oakridge shingles are advertised as having 110/130 mph wind resistance, which is a smidge lower than other options on this list that are rated at 110/150 mph (this all depends on how the shingles are installed and what accessories are used). But how likely are those wind speeds anyway?
How can you be sure your roofing contractor will properly install your budget shingles?
After reviewing the pros and cons of today’s top budget shingles, you have an idea of which one is right for you. But even the best low-cost roofing product won’t perform well if it’s installed incorrectly or not to code. And a great manufacturer's warranty won’t save you from that.
And in Seattle, where rain, wind, and algae are constant threats, installation matters even more than material quality. Budget roofing materials are already at a high risk for having problems, but adding a poor roofing job into the mix means that your roof doesn’t stand a chance.
If you’re seriously considering a budget shingle for your roof, your next step should be making sure the person installing it is actually qualified to do the job right.
Read our article “Is Your Seattle Roofer Actually Good? Here’s How to Tell Before It’s Too Late” to learn the must-ask questions, certifications, and red flags to look for so you don’t end up with a leaking roof and no warranty to back it up.
Topics:
