Owens Corning vs. GAF vs. CertainTeed 50-Year Luxury Shingles: Which Is Right for Me?

Are you wondering if there is one 50-year luxury shingle that’s clearly better for homes in the Pacific Northwest, or if it’s all just personal preference? Worried you might pick the wrong brand and end up with a roof that doesn’t hold up to Seattle’s constant rain and wind?

When it comes to picking the right asphalt shingle for your home, it’s easy to become confused and overwhelmed because there are so many options, and all of them are fairly similar. This leaves you wondering what the differences are. 

At RoofSmart, we match hundreds of customers every year with their perfect roof using our SmartMatch Needs Analysis to find a roof based on their needs, preferences, and budget. During this process, we educate our customers on the pros and cons of each roof type and discuss how their roof options compare. 

This article will focus on the following shingles: the Owens Corning Duration Max, the Certainteed Landmark TL, and the GAF Timberline UHDZ. These luxury 50-year shingles were chosen for this article because they’re made by three top brands in the Seattle market. 

We offer all of these brands, as do most other local roofers in the area. So, I want to make sure you can understand and easily compare all of your options. 

In this article, you’ll be able to compare 50-year luxury shingles to see how they measure up in these categories: 

1. Realistic Life Expectancy
2. Aesthetics
3. Impact resistance
4. Algae resistance
5. Wind Resistance
6. Warranty Coverage

Each category will have a winner, showing you which shingle brand performs best in that specific category. 

By the end, you’ll be able to decide which shingle best aligns with your needs and preferences.

Want professional help deciding which shingle is right for you? Contact us today and schedule an inspection to get personalized roofing material recommendations from one of our roofing specialists. 

How do I pick the right shingle for my home?

There are a few differences between the shingles made by Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed, but overall, they’re very similar. This is because they compete with each other. 

This article will help you break away from that confusion by comparing the 50-year luxury shingles by Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed based on different categories:  

1. Realistic Life Expectancy (of 50 years) 

Winner- Certainteed Landmark TL

Certainteed Landmark TL shingles are triple laminated, meaning that they are made with 3 layers instead of 2 (which is what their competitors use). Certainteed is the only company to have a patent for the triple laminate shingle, meaning that this feature is only available in the Certainteed Landmark TL. 

The use of three layers allows Certainteed to include more asphalt in the shingle than you can get with only 2 layers. This is a big deal because the more asphalt, the longer it will take to wear through and fail, and it makes it more waterproof. 

The Owens Corning Duration Max and the GAF Timberline UHDZ are both thicker and heavier than a standard asphalt shingle, but they do not use triple laminate technology. They will last a lot longer than a standard shingle, but might wear out faster than the Landmark TL. 

2. Aesthetics

Winner: GAF Timberline UHDZ (for quantity of color options)

The Owens Corning Duration Max has 5 color options, the Certainteed Landmark TL has 4 color options, and the GAF Timberline UHDZ has 6 color options. 

These shingle options are pretty similar in design. They are meant to be an elevated designer shingle that is fancier than each manufacturer’s version of the standard shingle. 

They don’t have very many color options because they are a specialty version of regular shingles. 

Here’s how all these shingles look in their version of a dark gray (or black) shade: 

Owens Corning Duration Max- Carbon

Certainteed Landmark TL- Moire Black

GAF Timberline UHDZ- Charcoal

3. Impact Resistance

Winner: Certainteed Landmark TL

The Owens Corning Duration Max and the GAF Timberline UHDZ shingles are both rated Class 3 for impact resistance. However, the Certainteed Landmark TL shingle is rated Class 4. This makes them great impact-resistant shingles for windstorms.

These ratings come from the UL 2218 impact test, which is used to determine how well a shingle can withstand impact from debris. A steel ball is launched at the shingle, and it passes the test if there are no cracks. 

The highest rating is a Class 4. The other options are Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3. The class rating for the shingle changes based on the size of the steel ball used during the test. For example, a Class 4 rated shingle withstood impact from the largest steel ball option (2 inches in diameter). 

4. Algae Resistance

Winner: Certainteed Landmark TL

For great Seattle roof algae protection, consider Certainteed Landmark TL shingles. CertainTeed Shingles (including the Landmark TL) are protected from algae by their StreakFighter technology. In addition, CertainTeed offers a 30-year algae-resistance warranty. 

GAF Timberline UHDZ shingles have a 30-year warranty against algae, but they do not explicitly state on their website that this specific type of shingle has algae-fighting technology. 

Owens Corning Duration Max shingles do not include any algae-fighting technology, and the warranty protection for algae will vary depending on the level of warranty you’re eligible for (you get better protection if your shingles are installed by an Owens Corning Preferred Platinum Contractor). 

In a rainy, humid area like Seattle, algae growth is very likely to happen over time. Most roofers recommend getting shingles with built-in algae resistance. Otherwise, you’ll have higher maintenance costs to treat the roof and get rid of algae. 

5. Wind Protection

Winner: GAF Timberline UHDZ

GAF Timberline UHDZ shingles are protected under a 15-year wind warranty with no max speed (if you don’t meet the right warranty requirements, it’s limited to 130 mph). 

Owens Corning Duration Max shingles have a 15-year warranty for 130 mph winds, and Certainteed Landmark TL shingles have 110 mph coverage for 15 years (you can upgrade to 130 if you meet the right requirements). 

6. Warranty Coverage

Winner: Owens Corning Duration Max

All of these shingles have solid warranties, but the Owens Corning warranty stands out for having lifetime coverage for workmanship issues at the Platinum level. The others max out after 25 years. 

Other than workmanship coverage, the warranty coverage is pretty similar for each manufacturer. 

Here’s a comparison table showing you the coverage you get from both the lowest and highest level warranties offered by Owens Corning, GAF, and Certainteed. 

How much do 50-year luxury shingles cost?

Manufacturers do not include much cost information on their websites, which can make it difficult to know how much 50-year luxury shingles cost and to compare them to the prices of different brands. 

On average, 50-year luxury shingles cost around $40,000 to install in the Seattle area. They are more expensive than standard asphalt shingles. 

The Owens Corning Duration Max, the Certainteed Landmark TL, and the GAF Timberline UHDZ all cost around the same, so choosing between them will not make much of a difference in the total cost of your project. 

However, keep in mind that the cost of materials is only one part of the total cost of your roofing project. 

The best way to determine the cost of your project is to have a roofing contractor come out to inspect your roof and determine if there is any extra work that your roof needs beyond a standard replacement so that you can factor in labor costs. 

Because Seattle’s cost of living is so high, labor costs are the biggest factor in driving up the cost of a roof replacement. 

How do I know which shingle is right for me? 

Because a lot of the shingles out there are so similar, make sure you consider which features are most important to you. Do you want the best overall warranty coverage? Are you looking for a lot of different color options? 

Ask yourself how well each shingle matches your budget, needs, and preferences. As a resident of the Greater Seattle area, we also recommend that you consider how each shingle measures up in our particular climate. 

For example, algae growth is a major concern here, but the Certainteed Landmark TL has great algae-fighting technology and warranty protection. 

We also get a fair amount of windstorms in the Greater Seattle area, meaning your roof is at risk of impact damage. If you want an asphalt roof but are worried about it getting damaged, the Certainteed Landmark TL has great impact resistance. 

Is a 50-Year Luxury Shingle the best option for your Seattle Roof?

After comparing Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed’s top 50-year shingles side by side, you now have a clearer understanding of which one fits your unique needs.

If aesthetics are your top priority, GAF’s Timberline UHDZ shines with the most color options. If your home is exposed to frequent wind or impact from storms and debris, the CertainTeed Landmark TL offers unmatched durability. And if long-term warranty protection gives you peace of mind, Owens Corning’s Duration Max leads the way in workmanship coverage.

These luxury shingles all perform well, but your final decision should come down to what matters most to you—appearance, climate resistance, or protection guarantees.

Before you make your final decision, make sure you consider all of your shingle options. Is a luxury shingle right for you, or would a synthetic shingle like Euroshield be better? 

Read our article “Will My Roof Survive a Seattle Wind Storm? Pros and Cons of Different Roof Types” to learn how Euroshield gives your roof top-tier protection from Seattle weather while also boosting curb appeal with its luxurious design.