There is a specific, quiet moment every roofer knows. The crew is packing up, the debris is cleared, and you step back to look at the finished product. That feeling — pride in the craft and the satisfaction of a system built to last — is what we call a Labor of Love.
GAF believes that feeling deserves a national stage. I sat down with Dan Barcus, VP of Digital Marketing, to discuss the launch of the Roof of the Year Contest, a new initiative designed to celebrate the grit, technical mastery, and heart that GAF-certified contractors bring to the job every single day.
The Big Idea: Putting Craftsmanship on a Bigger Stage
GAF has been a cornerstone of the roofing industry for over 139 years — long enough to know that the product is only half the story. The other half is the person installing it.
When asked what inspired the contest, Dan says, "We’re all so proud when we see a truck moving GAF shingles or a crew installing a GAF roof in the neighborhood. We wanted to extend that feeling — to give it a national stage. Our contractors are true craftsmen, and their work deserves to be celebrated,” adding that, “Most of all, we love what we do - this is meant to be fun and to highlight their work for all to see."
The contest, whose submissions are open from July 1 through October 16, isn't just a trophy hunt. It’s a significant investment in the people who helped build the brand and represent GAF in local markets. Five categories will spotlight different dimensions of the craft, from technical high-performance systems to the meaningful impact of community service.
Turning a Win into a Lead-Gen Engine
While the recognition is a badge of honor, Dan is quick to point out that entering is a strategic business move for any growth-minded contractor. Winning a contest is nice; winning a contest that comes with a $10,000 paid media campaign in your local market is a strategic advantage.
"This isn't just about winning a title," he explains. "GAF will invest $10,000 in paid media promoting the winner’s work and project directly in their local market.” They’ll also highlight the winners at Wealth Builder - GAF’s premier conference for top contractors. “Our contractors take a lot of pride in their work, so we also know there’s a lot of power in the “bragging rights” when they’re named as the Roof of the Year winner by their peers."
For homeowners, the stakes are equally high, with five grand prize winners receiving $10,000 each, and the four runner ups in each category (20 in total) also receiving $1,000 in cash.
Five Categories of Excellence
To ensure every type of residential contractor certified by GAF has a seat at the table, the contest recognizes excellence across five distinct categories:
1. Best Use of Premium Products
Focusing on curb appeal, this category highlights the aesthetic transformation possible with products like Timberline® UHDZ™,Timberline® ASII, or GAF Designer Shingles. "My in-laws live in Virginia, and a neighboring house had Timberline® UHDZ installed," Dan recalls. "They called me and said, ‘Wow — what is going on that roof? We’ve got to get one.’ That reaction? That's what we're looking for."
2. The Most Challenging Job
This is for the heavy hitters — the roofs that require technical prowess and problem-solving ingenuity. Think massive square footage, extreme pitches, and the logistical hurdles of historical restorations. When roofers brag to their peers or competitors about how good they are - these are the first examples they bring up to demonstrate their craftsmanship and make the difficult look easy.
3. The Gold Standard
This category celebrates "system thinking." It’s reserved for the perfectionists using all GAF layers, from MasterFlow™ ventilation to Tiger Paw™ underlayments, " and backed by GAF’s best limited warranty - the Golden Pledge. A good roof keeps the rain out," says Dan. "A great GAF system works together to protect what matters most — the structure, the investment underneath it, and, most importantly, the family inside."
4. Helping Others: The Heart of the Craft
Roofing isn’t always about the work itself. This category recognizes the work our roofers do in their local communities to help families in need, veterans, the elderly, and others that need a helping hand. "We want to showcase the meaningful work our contractors do every day," Dan says. "Community service isn't separate from craftsmanship. In a lot of ways, it’s the highest expression of it — and a part of the DNA of many of our roofers in how they support their local communities."
5. Best Metal Roof: Innovation with TimberSteel™
For contractors leading the charge in metal — particularly in the Southeast and Middle Atlantic— the TimberSteel™ premium metal roofing system category is wide open. Dan notes that the sleek, nail-on metal shingle is stopping people in their tracks in neighborhoods across Florida, Georgia, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and the Carolinas.
How to Win: The "Scroll-Stopper" Secret
The barrier to entry is lower than you might think. “You don't need a drone or a professional film crew to make a compelling submission," Dan advises. "Sometimes the right angle and golden hour light right before sunset tells the whole story. We're looking for photos that make someone stop mid-scroll and think — What a good-looking roof."
The message to residential contractors certified by GAF is clear: Don’t count yourself out. Whether the job is a massive architectural showstopper or a perfectly executed residential roof, the "Roof of the Year" is about the soul of the work. It also offers the homeowner a chance at winning up to $10,000 if their home is one of the 5 selected grand prize winners - so there’s something for everyone.
"Contractors trust GAF when they choose our products — and we don't take that trust lightly," Dan concludes. "We’re proud to honor the craftsmanship behind their hard work - and to shine a spotlight on it.”."
Voting
Ready to showcase your work? GAF Certified roofers can submit their projects at roofoftheyear.com between July 1, 2026 and October 16, 2026. Then, the excitement builds in November when the community — homeowners and pros alike — votes for their favorites followed by a judging period where GAF scores entries and selects winners and runners-up. Share your work, rally your followers on social media, and keep an eye out for the winner announcements at the end of 2026!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to eligible contractors certified by GAF located within the 50 US/DC (excluding CA, MD, ND & TN). Authorized Representatives must be legal US residents, 18 years of age and older. Potential winning Eligible Contractors must submit to and pass a background check to Sponsor’s satisfaction prior to confirmation of eligibility and prize award. Entry will be made on behalf of Eligible Contractor as a business entity and not any individual person. Sponsor reserves the right not to award all prizes in a Category if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive at least twenty (20) eligible and qualified Entries for that specific Category. Void in CA, MD, ND, TN & where prohibited by law. Entry Period starts at 12:00 p.m. ET on 7/1/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 10/16/26. Voting Period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on 11/1/26 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 11/30/26. Voting is for entertainment purposes. The Eligible Contractor must submit a roofing project installed on a residential home located within the Eligible Territory between 1/1/26 to 10/16/26. Subject to Official Rules, including complete eligibility requirements, entry categories, how to enter, judging criteria, prize details, and restrictions, see roofoftheyear.com/rules. Sponsor: GAF Materials LLC, 1 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ, 07054.
