For Homeowners How to Choose Your Roofing Shingles

beauty shot of a home with Timberline HDZ roofing shingles

How to choose roofing shingles

Find a shingle for your home that fits your budget while providing you with beauty and durability.

Consider your needs and preferences

The best roofing shingles for your home will meet your budget, provide the durability your roof
needs, and create the curb appeal you want.

BROWSE SHINGLES

Your budget

Your roof may be one of the largest investments you make in your home, and with so many types and styles, you can find shingles that fit a range of budgets.

Great value
According to a survey of 380 real estate agents and certified appraisers of single-family residential homes, upgrading a roof with GAF Timberline^® roofing shingles can increase the value of a home by an average of 10%.*

Timberline^® is North America’s #1-selling shingle for a reason. You can enjoy the modern architectural style and dependable performance at a practical price.

Most economical
GAF 3-tab shingles come in a variety of colors adding beauty and protection

* Estimated increase in home value is based on the opinions of survey participants. No comparative market analysis or actual sales data was evaluated. Survey commissioned by GAF and conducted by a third party in 2019.

Long term durability

All GAF shingles are designed to help protect your home from the elements.

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.

If wind is a significant part of your area’s weather patterns, our most popular Timberline^® Shingles offer all-around durability and performance. And now, Timberline® Shingles with LayerLock™ Technology may qualify for WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty, the industry’s first wind warranty with no maximum speed limitation when installed with the required combination of GAF accessories.1

Concerned about hail? Impact-resistant shingles like Grand Sequoia^® AS and Timberline^® AS II may be good options if your area is impacted by significant hail storms. They have rubber-like flexibility, allowing them to recover from impact.

If heavy sun exposure and energy efficiency are concerns in your area, check out our GAF Timberline^® Cool Series Shingles. The highly reflective shingles of these cool roofs can help reduce temperatures in your attic and keep your house cooler.

If you are in a region with high moisture, you can help prevent roof stains with GAF Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology, now built into our best-selling Timberline HDZ^® shingles.

Important Tip: Regardless of where you live, check local ordinances and codes, especially if you belong to a Home Owner Association (HOA), to find out if homes in your area are required to use certain types of roofing materials. Your local roofer may also be a good resource on this topic.

North America's # 1-selling shingle just got better

Curb Appeal

Roofs are a key and often-underestimated part of a home’s look. They can represent up to 40% of curb appeal, so it’s important to consider style and color.

Style

Our shingles fit with both current and historical home designs. Looking for a roof that works well with your home and complements what’s in your community? Start by looking at similar homes in your neighborhood and take note of their roofing shingles. Contractors can help you identify the products.

Find the match for your home by sorting shingles by architectural style. Here are a few examples:

For ranch style homes that feature a low roof line with a rectangular or L-shape, work well with many shingle styles. We recommend a versatile wood shake appearance with Timberline^® HDZ™ Shingles.

Modern or contemporary homes with clean roof lines, an irregularly shaped frame, and simplistic form and design match well with a slate look using Slateline™ or Camelot^® II Shingles.

For victorian homes, our Woodland^® Shingles provide the look of Hand-Cut European Shingles.

Mountain homes with a rugged wood-shake look can be enhanced with Grand Sequoia Shingles.

Color

GAF shingles come in a range of colors. Consider a color that complements your house or neighborhood. Neutrals are always safe — and enduring — if you don't have a preference. Or, start with our most popular shades: Weathered Wood, Charcoal, Pewter Gray, Barkwood, and Shakewood, and be sure to try the color on with our Virtual Remodeler

Ongoing protection

Using GAF high-quality shingles is the first part of protecting your roofing investment. GAF offers a variety of warranties so you can choose the right level of coverage for your project, plus workmanship coverage is available through GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractors.

image of a contractor discussing a family

See how your new roof will look.

Use one of our preselected homes or upload a picture of your own home to view shingle styles and colors on your house, and find the perfect roof for you.

Virtual Remodeler

Have a flat roof with no shingles?

It is common for homes in urban areas or arid regions to have flat or “low-slope” roofs. GAF offers a full line of roofing solutions for all roof types. Connect with your local GAF certified contractor to discuss your specific repair or replacement needs.

Find a contractor

Types of Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt are the most popular shingles in the U.S. because they’re affordable to buy, install, and maintain. They are made from a sturdy fiberglass base, coated with waterproof asphalt and tiny granules of ceramic-coated mineral.

The asphalt shingles you look at will fall into one of three main categories: 3-tab, architectural, and designer shingles. While these types mostly differ in look, some may offer better durability as well.

3-tab shingles

A 3-tab shingle is the simplest type of roofing shingle. Sometimes called “strip” shingle, they’re built from a single layer of asphalt, which makes them lie flat right against the roof.

Choose your shingle

Architectural shingles

An architectural shingle, also known as “dimensional” or “laminate” shingle are manufactured with multiple layers of asphalt fused on top of each other. The result is a richer, multidimensional quality that looks a bit like wood or slate roofing. Timberline was actually the first laminate shingle, invented in 1967.

Choose your shingle

Designer shingles

A designer shingle, often called a “premium” or “luxury” shingle typically offers highest-end multidimensional designs, premium protection from weathering, and maximum energy efficiency. Designer shingles take on the most realistic look of old-world roofing materials.

Choose your shingle

YOUR HOME

Types of Skylights to Brighten Your Home

LEARN MORE

Daylighting your home using skylights is an environmentally friendly solution that both brightens and beautifies your home's interior while also reducing reliance on electricity. And the good news is that there are many different types to choose from that will light up any room. However, when thinking about adding skylights to your home, it's important to know about the different styles and features available — and the primary issues to take into consideration — before making your final decision.

By Karen L Edwards

10-04-2022

YOUR HOME

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Leaks?

LEARN MORE

If you suspect that you have a leak in your roof, acting swiftly to repair it helps avoid further damage to your home and possessions. But: does homeowners insurance cover roof leaks and potentially remove some of the financial worries you may have? Below are the steps to take to protect your roof and your finances in the event of a leak.

By Dawn Killough

09-27-2022

YOUR HOME

What Is Roofing Felt?

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Your roof plays a crucial role in defending your home against the weather. Roofing felt is a protective layer under your shingles (or other roof covering) that helps keep excess moisture outside your home. Since your roof deals with all kinds of weather elements, like rain and wind, snow, and ice, it often needs all the help it can get. Here is everything you need to know about this roofing product including what it is, minor differences between kinds, and why your roof might need it.

By Mark Soto

08-30-2022

YOUR HOME

Roof Maintenance Is Key to Storm Preparation

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Storm season can span the entire year, which means that roofs need the strength to protect families and homes from extreme weather events. Scheduling regular professional roof inspections and roof maintenance can help keep your roof storm-ready.

By Annie Crawford

07-07-2022

Find a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor

At GAF, we evaluate thousands of roofers in the country and make sure they're insured and state licensed (where required) so they can offer our best warranties.

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*15-year WindProven™ limited wind warranty on Timberline^® HDZ™ Shingles 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.

**StainGuard Plus™ Time-Release technology and 25-year ltd. warranty against blue-green algae discoloration available only on Timberline Ultra HD^® shingles sold in packages bearing the StainGuard Plus™ logo. Does not apply to Timberline Ultra HD^® Reflector Series™ Shingles. See GAF Shingle & Accessory Ltd. Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.