Best asphalt roof shingles in 2025
Asphalt shingles continue to dominate the roofing market in North America, and for good reason. They offer an unbeatable combination of affordability, versatility, and proven durability. In 2025, the market is robust with innovations, offering homeowners more choices than ever. Knowing the top brands and their leading products is crucial for making an informed decision that balances cost, performance, and aesthetics.
Why asphalt shingles dominate: value & ease
Cost-Effectiveness: Asphalt shingles are generally the most affordable roofing material, making them accessible for a wide range of budgets.
Ease of Installation: Their relative ease of installation contributes to lower labor costs compared to materials like metal or tile. This also means a quicker installation process.
Versatility & Aesthetics: Available in a vast array of colors, styles, and textures, they can mimic the look of more expensive materials like wood shakes or slate, allowing homeowners to achieve desired aesthetics without breaking the bank.
Proven Durability: Modern asphalt shingles are engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions, offering good resistance to wind, hail, and UV degradation.
Top brands:
The asphalt shingle market is led by a few key manufacturers renowned for their quality, innovation, and extensive product lines.
GAF Timberline NS & HDZ – warranties & performance
GAF Timberline NS (Natural Shadow): A long-standing favorite, known for its classic wood-shake look and affordability. Offers solid performance and a wide range of colors.
GAF Timberline HDZ (High Definition Zone): GAF's flagship architectural shingle. It features a larger nailing zone for easier installation and improved wind uplift performance (up to 130 mph warranty when installed with 4 nails). Homeowners love its dimensional look, mimicking wood shakes, and its comprehensive warranty options, including the StainGuard Plus™ Algae Protection limited warranty.
Overall: GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, known for its extensive network of certified installers and robust warranty programs (e.g., Golden Pledge Limited Warranty).
CertainTeed Landmark & Grand Manor – impact resistance
CertainTeed Landmark: A very popular architectural shingle that offers excellent durability, a wide color palette, and a classic, dimensional appearance. Known for its heavier weight per square, which can contribute to better wind resistance and longevity.
CertainTeed Grand Manor: This is CertainTeed's premium, luxury shingle, designed to mimic the appearance of natural slate. It's much thicker and heavier, offering exceptional durability and often superior impact resistance (Class 4 rating available). Comes with a hefty price tag but delivers a high-end look and performance.
Overall: CertainTeed focuses on quality, aesthetics, and strong performance ratings, including impact resistance, which is crucial in hail-prone regions.
Owens Corning Duration series – installer favorite per Reddit
Owens Corning Duration Series (Duration, Duration Flex, Duration Storm):
Duration: The most popular choice, featuring the proprietary SureNail® Technology – a wide, highly visible fabric strip in the nailing area. This technology makes installation easier and significantly improves resistance to nail pull-through and wind uplift (up to 130 mph warranty).
Duration Flex: Incorporates SBS polymer modification, making shingles more flexible and resistant to impact damage and cracking in cold weather.
Duration Storm: Features patented WeatherGuard® Technology for enhanced impact resistance (Class 4 available) and protection against harsh weather.
Overall: Owens Corning is frequently praised by installers on forums like Reddit for the SureNail strip, which simplifies proper nailing and reduces callbacks, leading to more consistent, high-quality installations. They also offer strong warranties and appealing color blends.
Malarkey – top-tier service choice
Malarkey (e.g., Highlander, Legacy, Windsor): Malarkey is gaining significant traction, especially among roofing professionals, for its commitment to sustainability, innovation, and performance.
Features: Many Malarkey shingles incorporate SBS polymer modification for enhanced flexibility and impact resistance (Class 4 available), as well as Scotchgard™ Protector by 3M for advanced algae resistance. They also use recycled materials (rubber and plastics) in their manufacturing process.
Overall: While perhaps less universally known than GAF or CertainTeed, Malarkey is consistently rated highly for its product quality, advanced technology, and often superior customer service by those who work with them.
Shingle types: architectural vs 3-tab vs premium
3-Tab Shingles: The most basic and economical. They have a flat, uniform appearance and are typically rated for 20-25 years. Less resistant to high winds and not as visually striking.
Architectural (Laminated/Dimensional) Shingles: The most popular choice. They have multiple layers, creating a thicker, more dimensional look that mimics wood shakes or slate. They are more durable, offer better wind resistance, and typically come with 30-50 year limited warranties. All the specific product recommendations above (Timberline, Landmark, Duration) fall into this category.
Premium (Luxury/Designer) Shingles: The heaviest, thickest, and most expensive, designed to replicate the appearance of natural slate or cedar shakes with unparalleled realism. They offer superior durability, impact resistance (often Class 4), and usually come with lifetime limited warranties. Grand Manor (CertainTeed) and Windsor (Malarkey) are examples.
Selection criteria: warranty, impact rating, climate match
Warranty: Understand both the manufacturer's limited warranty (e.g., 25-50 years, lifetime) and the installer's workmanship warranty. Look for non-prorated periods and transferability.
Impact Rating (Class 1-4): Crucial in hail-prone areas. Class 4 offers the highest resistance to hail damage.
Wind Resistance: Look for shingles rated for high wind speeds (e.g., 110 mph, 130 mph) and check installation requirements to qualify for the warranty.
Algae Resistance: For humid climates, choose shingles with copper granules (e.g., GAF StainGuard, Owens Corning StreakGuard, Malarkey Scotchgard Protector) to inhibit black streaking caused by algae.
Climate Match: Some shingles are better suited for extreme cold (flexibility) or heat (UV reflection).
Don’t overlook installer quality
Even the best shingles will fail if not installed correctly. A manufacturer's warranty often requires installation by a certified contractor. Choose a reputable roofer with proper licensing, insurance, and positive reviews. Their skill directly impacts the performance and longevity of your new roof.
Cost vs long-term value
While premium shingles cost more upfront, their enhanced durability, longer warranties, and superior performance can offer greater long-term value through reduced maintenance, potentially lower insurance premiums (for impact resistance), and extended lifespan. It's an investment in your home's protection and future.
Ready to choose the perfect asphalt shingles for your home? Contact Masterpiece Roofing today for expert advice and a free estimate!
