There are two leading shingles manufacturers in the U.S. that homeowners sometimes struggle to decide between: GAF vs Owens Corning .
Both have their own unique features, which means each brand has its individual selling points.
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What Is GAF?
GAF’s beginnings were as the Standard Paint Company founded in 1886, which went through a name change in 1921, becoming RUBEROID. During these years, the company produced high-quality roofing products.
RUBEROID introduced the world’s first interlocking asphalt shingles in 1933, a product that revolutionized roofing.
The famous Timberline shingles reached the market in 1967. That was also the year RUBEROID became GAF after merging with it.
GAF’s High-Definition Shingles were available starting in 1991 and took advantage of novel patterns. The result was a beautiful shingle that had depth and dimension.
Even though GAF focused on shingles, it still branched out into other areas.
The company produces the EverGuard Extreme TPO membranes and even works in solar energy.
GAF Energy is a subsidiary that specializes in providing solar roofing kits.
What Is Owens Corning?
The Owens Bottle Machine Company, as the name might imply, didn’t have anything to do with roofing in the 1920s. But the Great Depression forced a change in focus.
Manufacturing glass bottles became manufacturing fiberglass, which was a step toward the company’s current sector.
In 1935, Owens-Illinois and Corning Glass Works would merge and become Owens Corning.
Owens Corning has always shown an aptitude for innovation.
During the 1939 World’s Fair, it made all types of objects with fiberglass. Even its pamphlets and booklets that staff gave to visitors were made of fiberglass.
This approach is still found in the company’s ethos.
In 1959, Owens Corning developed fiberglass-reinforced shingles, but they only reached the market in 1978.
Today, these shingles are still incredibly popular.
GAF vs Owens Corning Cost
All roofing shingles on this list are sold in units called squares.
A square equals 100 square feet and is the standard measurement for roofing materials. The average size of a roof is 3,000 square feet.
| Shingle Name | Average Cost per Square | Average Cost for 3,000 Square Feet |
|---|---|---|
| GAF Marquis WeatherMax | $84 | $2,520 |
| GAF Royal Sovereign | $118 | $3,540 |
| GAF Timberline HDZ | $100 | $3,000 |
| GAF Timberline NS | $92 | $2,760 |
| GAF Timberline UHD | $135 | $4,050 |
| GAF Timberline UHD with Dual Shadow Line | $140 | $4,200 |
| GAF Timberline AS II | $245 | $7,350 |
| GAF Timberline CS | $210 | $6,300 |
| GAF Timberline HDZ RS | $105 | $3,150 |
| GAF Timberline HDZ RS+ | $110 | $3,300 |
| GAF Grand Canyon | $240 | $7,200 |
| GAF Camelot II | $200 | $6,000 |
| GAF Slateline | $175 | $5,250 |
| GAF Grand Sequoia | $190 | $5,700 |
| GAF Woodland | $185 | $5,550 |
| GAF Grand Sequoia AS | $232 | $6,960 |
| GAF Grand Sequoia RS | $330 | $9,900 |
| Owens Corning Supreme | $75 | $2,250 |
| Owens Corning Oakridge | $85 | $2,550 |
| Owens Corning Duration | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration Designer | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration COOL | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration COOL Plus | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration FLEX | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration MAX | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning Duration STORM | $90 | $2,700 |
| Owens Corning WeatherGuard HP | $110 | $3,300 |
| Owens Corning Woodcrest | $200 | $6,000 |
| Owens Corning Woodmoor | $200 | $6,000 |
| Owens Corning Berkshire | $210 | $6,300 |
GAF vs Owens Corning Shingles Cost Breakdown
While the shingles themselves have a price, you’re also paying for shipping and installation costs. However, the most crucial price factor is still the shingle type and line.
The cheapest option on our list is 3-tab shingles, and both companies offer them. While they come in fewer color choices, there’s still enough variety to match many styles.
Flagship shingles are the mid-range offerings that boast more color choices and patterns. These are the standard choices if a homeowner has a larger budget.
Between the flagship and premium lines are the dimensional architectural shingles. Made of more robust and better materials, these shingles bridge the gap between the two choices.
There are many products in this category from both brands.
GAF and Owens Corning also have specialized products within their dimensional shingles line. These are either geared towards impact resistance or withstanding the sun’s UV rays, especially during summer.
Finally, you have designer shingles, sometimes referred to as premium shingles.
Designer shingles are the costliest but also some of the most beautiful shingles available from a company. They’re made with the finest materials and can withstand even more hazards than lower-grade shingles.
Regarding shingle construction, the more money you pay, the better features and appearance you get.
Pro Tip: It’s crucial to remember that some of the shingles mentioned above are regionally available. Always place your exact ZIP code when prompted to do so on the manufacturer’s website. Doing so will make sure they only display colors available in your area.
You can use our Roofing Cost Calculator to estimate the cost of installing a shingle roof on your house.
Similarities Between GAF Shingles and Owens Corning
Both GAF and Owens Corning may offer different shingles, but some similarities exist between their shingles lines and products.
Here are some of the most common examples:
Similar Lines
Though differing in some very specific ways, GAF and Owens Corning offer four main lines.
Because each company has the same number of lines, buyers can compare products easily.
If a GAF shingle color isn’t available in your state, you may find something close to that offered by Owens Corning instead.
The table also shows how the price points don’t vary too much, though regional differences exist.
High Quality
Few brands enjoy a reputation as much as Owens Corning and GAF. Their shingles are known to be top-notch and rarely fail.
While bad batches can sometimes surface, they’re not common enough to be a deal-breaker.
Certified Contractors
GAF has certified contractors that can offer the company’s best warranties, and the highest level is Master Elite.
On the other hand, Owens Corning has Platinum Preferred Contractors who have been vetted and selected after intense training. These certified contractors make up a small percentage of all roofers in the U.S.
Sadly, due to fewer people entering the roofing profession as others leave, it’s not always possible to hire a certified roofer of high caliber in your area.
Nevertheless, if you can find one, it’s an excellent opportunity to get some of the best roof coverage plans in the business.
Energy-Efficient Shingles Available
Houses that aren’t energy efficient will trap heat for extended periods, forcing owners to spend more on AC. Along with making things uncomfortable, that lack of energy efficiency can also increase your energy bills, which isn’t helpful for your finances.
Instead, you can invest in energy-efficient shingles that force the heat out of the house.
GAF offers the Timberline Cool Series that reflects heat away from the roof.
The main advantage is these don’t have to be light in color to reflect the sun’s rays, and that’s excellent if your home looks better with a darker roof. You can have a cool house without compromising on aesthetics.
Owens Corning’s Cool Roof Collection consists of TruDefinition Duration Cool and OC TruDefinition Premium Cool shingles.
These shingles don’t retain much heat, thanks to some proprietary granules mixed into the asphalt. They comply with Solar Reflectance Index standards as well.
If you want a more energy efficient and durable roof that can withstand severe weather, consider metal roofing.
Both brands rank highly in the energy efficiency department. Therefore, your choice is between availability, style, and budget.
Did you know? Certified contractors are reliable and should be your prime choice unless other factors force you to pick otherwise.
Top Differences Between Owens Corning and GAF Shingles
Though the similarities are crystal-clear, you can quickly notice the differences between GAF and Owens Corning.
Below are some prominent examples:
Warranties Offered
While both companies offer warranties as you install their shingles, the terms and coverage differ.
GAF has five plans, while Owens Corning has four.
GAF’s plans are as follows:
- GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty
- GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty
- System Plus Limited Warranty
- Silver Pledge Limited Warranty
- Golden Pledge Limited Warranty
The Silver and Golden Pledge Limited Warranties can only be purchased from a Master Elite roofer. Though all five plans have lifetime shingle protection, you get more protection from these two.
Every plan has protection from algae, wind, and the Smart Choice Protection Period.
Only the System Plus, Silver, and Golden plans have the Smart Choice Protection extended from 10 to 50 years. Plus, a workmanship warranty is only found in the Silver and Golden Plans.
Silver protection has 10 years of workmanship coverage. The Golden Pledge, however, has 25 years or 30 with the Timberline UHD series.
As you can see, the GAF warranties are highly competitive. In addition to generous coverage, all plans are transferrable, which Owens Corning doesn’t have. Warranties are stuck with you so long as they’re applicable.
Owens Corning’s plans include these four.
- Standard Product Limited Warranty
- System Protection Limited Warranty
- Preferred Protection Limited Warranty
- Platinum Protection Limited Warranty
Except for the standard warranty, the plans require at least four Owens Corning roof components installed on your roof. The standard plan’s requirements are lower at three.
An Owens Corning Roofing Preferred Contractor can only offer the Standard, System Protection, and Preferred Protection Limited Warranty.
The Platinum Protection is only available if the roofer has the Platinum certification.
Though the coverage from both companies is somewhat similar, the specifics of the plans themselves have differences.
For instance, Owens Corning doesn’t allow for warranty transfers either.
Colors Offered
Some homeowners have a specific shingle color in mind as they look for options.
While GAF’s shingles have an impressive color selection, they can’t compare with Owens Corning’s extensive palette. No other company offers as many hues as Owens Corning does.
No matter if you go with the three-tab, Timberline, or Designer shingles, there are many color choices.
Some company’s lines have only three or four colors, but GAF’s High Definition (HDZ) shingles alone have 20 in total.
On the other hand, Owens Corning’s color choices are spread more evenly across lines and still total more than GAF’s.
Even the Designer shingle line from Owens Corning includes 16 colors, as with the Oakridge shingles. By contrast, GAF’s Designer line doesn’t have more than five, represented by the Camelot II (VC).
As with many companies, some colors are only available in select regions.
This limitation also applies to the shingles themselves. For instance, the GAF Oakridge Designer Shingles are a regional offering.
Something that plagues all shingle manufacturers is how few choices there are on the lighter end of the shingle color spectrum. Many of them may be darker than what some homeowners want.
Pro Tip: Color shouldn’t be the only metric for purchasing shingles, but it does affect your choices. You should always compare the availability of colors before choosing the brand you want.
GAF Shingles vs Owens Corning Pros and Cons
After some lengthy comparisons, it’s time to state the pros and cons of GAF and Owens Corning shingles.
GAF Pros:
- Better warranties
- Mimics natural ingredients beautifully
- Increased durability
The leading advantage of GAF’s shingles is their warranties. The Golden Pledge is incredibly useful if you can get it, but the standard plan is already enough for most homeowners. In fact, it’s enough to increase your home’s resale value.
Some of GAF’s shingles are designed to imitate wood-shake or slate. A quick look at the wood-shake shingles and they can easily be mistaken for actual wooden panels. They come in many colors as well.
Thanks to the high-quality ingredients, GAF’s shingles consistently prove themselves more durable than its competitors.
GAF Cons:
- More expensive
- Lack of lighter shades
GAF’s Designer shingles and their other lines indeed cost more than most of Owens Corning’s products. While you do get some gorgeous colors and patterns, they come at a high price.
Owens Corning Pros:
- Energy efficiency
- No shields or paper required
- Lower costs
Owens Corning’s Cool line is highly rated and energy efficient. Houses with roofs covered in these shingles reflect heat without breaking regulations.
In addition, they don’t require ice and water shields during installation, nor is felt paper necessary. But by eliminating these needs, you save money when installing them.
Owens Corning Cons
- Few light colors
- Reports of inconsistency
As with GAF’s shingles, Owens Corning’s choices in the area of lighter shades are much fewer than their darker colors. Some customers noted how several batches of shingles would underperform.
Is Owens Corning Better Than GAF?
The answer depends on what a homeowner values more.
Colors, specialized shingles, and warranties all satisfy different customers. Even so, one aspect Owens Corning excels in is offering products at lower prices.
Is GAF The Best Shingle?
Some customers may say so, as GAF’s shingles are both attractive and durable. However, they tend to cost more than what competitors like Owens Corning sell.
It may not be correct to say GAF is better outright, but it has several clear advantages others don’t have.
Is Owens Corning A Good Shingle?
Yes, Owens Corning shingles are among the best in the roofing industry.
You can rely on them to protect your home from natural disasters and the elements.
What Shingles Do Roofers Recommend?
Besides GAF and Owens Corning shingles, there are many other reputable shingles brands in the U.S.
They include:
- Malarkey
- IKO
- CertainTeed
Neck and Neck
GAF and Owens Corning shingles are excellent products from their respective companies.
Choosing between the two brands is more complicated but doable with time and careful analysis.
You should focus on the brand that suits your home and budget, though availability is also a crucial component.
