How to choose roofing shingles
Find a shingle for your home that fits your budget while providing you with beauty and durability.
Consider these factors to choose the best roof shingles for your home
Where you live
Find shingles with the characteristics most important for the climate and weather patterns in your area.
Your style
Roofing shingles are about more than protection, they’re part of the beauty of your home.
Your budget
At every price point, you can count on the high quality and durability of GAF shingles.
Top types of shingles: Asphalt
Asphalt shingles are the most popular shingles in the U.S. because they’re affordable and easy to install and maintain. They are made from a sturdy fiberglass base, coated with asphalt and tiny granules of ceramic-coated mineral. Learn about shingle types.
3-Tab shingles
The simplest and least expensive type of asphalt shingle. Sometimes called “strip” shingles, they are single layered.
3-Tab Shingles
Architectural shingles
Also known as “dimensional” or “laminate” shingles. They’re manufactured with multiple layers which are fused together, resulting in a rich, multidimensional look.
Architectural Shingles
Designer shingles
Often called “premium” or “luxury” shingles. They are typically multi-layered and provide the highest end multidimensional look.
Designer Shingles
The best roof shingles for your weather and climate
We’ve built GAF shingles to help protect your home against the elements. No matter where you live, there is a GAF shingle for you.
HIGH WINDS
Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock® Technology qualify for infinite wind speed protection when installed with the required combination of GAF Accessories.4
HAIL
The flexibility of our Grand Sequoia® AS and Timberline AS® II shingles allow them to achieve UL’s highest impact resistance rating - UL 2218 Class 4 to give your shingles a fighting chance in hail prone areas.7
HIGH MOISTURE
Help prevent blue-green algae stains with StainGuard Plus® labeled Timberline HDZ® shingles featuring GAF time release algae fighting technology and a 25 year Stainguard Plus® algae protection Limited Warranty.3
3 25-year StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection Limited Warranty against blue-green algae discoloration is available only on products sold in packages bearing the StainGuard Plus™ logo. See GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions, and qualifying products.
4 15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty on Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology requires the use of GAF Starter Strips, Roof Deck Protection, Ridge Cap Shingles, and Leak Barrier or Attic Ventilation. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products
6 Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency and other factors.
7 Hail damage is not covered under GAF limited warranties.
4 15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty on Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology requires the use of GAF Starter Strips, Roof Deck Protection, Ridge Cap Shingles, and Leak Barrier or Attic Ventilation. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions Visit gaf.com/LRS for qualifying GAF products
6 Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency and other factors.
7 Hail damage is not covered under GAF limited warranties.
GAF Advanced Protection Shingles
Our most popular Timberline® Shingles feature proprietary GAF Dura Grip™ adhesive that seals each shingle tightly and reduces the risk of shingle blow-off, with a warranty to withstand winds up to 130 mph. Timberline® Shingles have also earned the highest roof fire rating — UL Class A, Listed to ANSI/UL 790.
GAF’s #1-selling roof shingle is better than ever
The look people love, with advanced protection against strong winds and blue-green algae stains. Timberline HDZ® is the perfect mix of beauty and durability at an affordable price.
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Shingle color and design inspiration to suit your style
See how your new roof will look
Use one of our model homes or upload a picture of your own home to select and view shingle styles and colors to find the perfect roof for you with our Virtual Remodeler.
Boost your home’s curb appeal
Representing up to 40% of your home’s visual exterior, roofs are an often underestimated part of its curb appeal. But replacing your roof opens up a whole world of decisions. You’ll want to consider the type of materials, as well as the design and color options. Let’s explore the aesthetic side of the equation.
Sunset shadows, all day long with Timberline UHDZ® Shingles
Dual Shadow Line technology precisely distributes color granules to create a secondary shadow line, which gives the Timberline UHDZ® shingle a thicker, ultra-dimensional wood-shake look than our Timberline HDZ® shingles.
Timeless Shingle Colors for Your Home
Given the investment you make in a new roof or reroofing project—and how long your roof will last—timeless shingle colors are a reliable way to help ensure your home looks elegant (despite changing trends) in the long term.
Looking for more shingle inspiration
Explore the style guideFrequently asked questions
Some combinations just “work,” like charcoal shingles on a white house. But it’s really about personal taste. This article about choosing the right house and roof color combination can help you decide.
It depends where you live. Highly reflective shingles reflect more sunlight and are best suited for hotter areas while less reflective shingles absorb more sunlight and may be beneficial in colder areas. Explore our highly reflective shingles that may help reduce your cooling costs.⁶
If you’re a homeowner researching new roofing options, you may be seeing a lot of information on architectural shingles as a popular choice for roof replacements. Learn about what architectural shingles are and why they are growing in popularity.
6 Energy cost savings are not guaranteed and the amount of savings may vary based on climate zone, utility rates, radiative properties of roofing products, insulation levels, HVAC equipment efficiency and other factors.
Choosing shingles for smaller structures
Sheds, garages, workshops, gazebos, pool houses, and other small structures may need shingles too, though the job differs from shingling houses in several ways.
Tips for shingling sheds, gazebos, and outbuildings
Outbuilding roofs are usually simpler than residential roofs. There are typically no valleys, chimneys, plumbing stacks, ridge vents or static exhaust vents, so shingling requires less cutting and fitting. These roofs are typically lower to the ground and angled at a lower pitch which can make it easier to get shingles, tools, and personnel up and down.