So, you need a roof replacement. Once you get past the initial stress and enter the acceptance phase, planning a roof replacement can actually be fun if you work with the right team!
One of the most exciting parts of getting a roof replacement is choosing your roofing material and colors. You get to refresh the look of your home’s exterior, all while maximizing its protection— it’s a win-win.
If you’re like most homeowners in the United States, you’re probably considering asphalt shingles for your new roof. There are many different manufacturers of asphalt shingles, but two of the most popular are Owens Corning and GAF. So, who wins in the showdown between Owens Corning vs GAF? And which one is better for your home? Let’s take a look at how they compare in the following categories:
- Industry Reputation
- Weather Resistance
- Color Options
- Warranties
- Upfront Cost
Category #1: Industry Reputation ⭐
First and foremost, you want to feel confident that professional roofing contractors like and trust the product you want on your roof. Thankfully, Owens Corning and GAF shingles are both widely trusted across the roofing industry.
Each roofing contractor has their preference, and some companies prefer to work with one brand over the other. Here at Bondoc Roofing, we work with both because we find value in both!
Owens Corning Industry Reputation
Owens Corning is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, and has a reputation for being one of the most widely used shingle manufacturers in North America.
✅ Owens Corning Reputation Pros:
- Been in business since 1938
- Beyond shingles, they also offer insulation products
- Making an effort toward sustainability and energy efficiency
GAF Industry Reputation
Some contractors prefer GAF, which is an acronym for General Aniline & Film. 1 in every 4 roofs is a GAF roof!
✅ GAF Reputation Pros:
- Founded in 1886
- Offers solar through GAF Energy
- GAF Timberline shingles are the #1 selling shingle in the United States
The Verdict: While each roofing company has a preference, both brands are well-respected and highly used across the roofing industry.
🏆 Industry Reputation Winner: Tied!
Category #2: Weather Resistance ⛈️
If you need one thing out of a roof, you need it to stand up to severe weather events and keep you protected from water leaks. Both Owens Corning and GAF offer different protections against:
- Hail
- Wind
- UV damage
- Algae resistance
Owens Corning Weather Resistance
Owens Corning has some impressive stats and claims about their weather resistance. Keep in mind that these stats will vary depending on the type of shingle you choose (3-tab, architectural, or designer). For Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration architectural shingles, they provide:
- Class A fire rating
- 130 MPH wind resistance rating
- Class 3 impact resistance rating
- 10 years of algae resistance
Owens Corning 3-tab shingles have a 25-year lifespan, while designer shingles have an extended lifespan of 50 years.
GAF Weather Resistance
GAF offers a similar promise against inclement weather with its architectural shingles. Their Timberline HDZ products offer:
- Class A fire rating
- 130 MPH wind resistance rating
- Class 3 impact resistance rating
- 25 years of algae resistance
Just like with Owens Corning, GAF 3-tab shingles can last up to 25 years, but architectural and designer shingles can last up to 50 years.
The Verdict: Even though both brands are just about neck and neck across weather resistance and longevity, the extra protection against algae puts GAF a step ahead in this category.
🏆 Weather Resistance Winner: GAF
Category #3: Color Options 🎨
When you’re getting a brand new roof, one of the most exciting things to pick out is the color and design of your new shingles. You want your new roof to work with your existing siding color and boost your curb appeal in the process.
With architectural shingles, you have an entire world of stunning color options beyond plain black, gray, or brown. Architectural shingles are also referred to as dimensional shingles thanks to their beautiful dimensional colors.
Owens Corning Color Options
Owens Corning is known across the industry for its beautiful color options. Their TruDefinition Duration line is available in 15 different striking colors. And while their Duration Designer line only has 9 color options, we’re partial to how vibrant these designs are.
GAF Color Options
GAF offers an impressive 20 different color options in their Timberline HDZ line. However, not all colors are available in every location. You’ll have to consult with your roofing contractor to see which colors are available to you.
There are some unique green and red color options in addition to earth tones and neutral colors.
The Verdict: Even though the GAF Timberline line has more color options, the color options from Owens Corning are more unique, vibrant, and dimensional. They’re often praised in the industry for having the best color choices.
🏆 Color Options Winner: Owens Corning
Category #4: Warranties 🏅
While many reputable roofing companies provide labor warranties that protect you from improper installation techniques, that’s not what we’re focusing on here. Shingle manufacturers provide product warranties that protect you in case the shingles themselves are faulty. Different product lines come with different warranties— let’s take a look at what you can expect with GAF and Owens Corning shingles.
Owens Corning Warranties
There are two types of warranties under Owens Corning: standard coverage and extended coverage. Standard coverage is offered at a baseline, but extended coverage is offered to certain roofing companies that are recognized as Preferred Contractors.
A standard coverage warranty from Owens Corning offers:
- Lifetime coverage
- TRU PROtection Period of 10 years
- Materials-only coverage after 10 years
- Blow off coverage for the first 15 years
- StreakGuard Algae Resistance for the first 25 years
The extended warranty offers the same, except for a TRU PROtection Period of 50 years and materials-only coverage after 50 years. Plus, it comes with a 25-year workmanship warranty.
GAF Warranties
GAF operates in a similar way, where certain qualified roofing contractors are able to offer more elaborate warranties. They also have a range of warranties depending on if you only got shingles installed or if you got a complete roofing system with multiple qualifying GAF accessory products.
Their most extensive warranty, the Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, offers the following:
- Lifetime warranty term
- 50-year Smart Choice Protection Period
- 10-25 years of algae warranty
- 15-year wind warranty
- 25-30 year workmanship warranty
To get this warranty, the homeowner must receive a complete roofing system with 5 qualifying accessories installed by a GAF Master Elite certified contractor.
The Verdict: The warranties for both brands are very comparable. Both are impressive and sufficient. GAF is able to offer a few extra years on designer shingles, but there are a lot of qualifiers to get there. We count it as a tie!
🏆 Warranties Winner: Tied! (GAF has a slight edge)
Category #5: Upfront Cost 💰
One of your top concerns is likely how much your new roof is going to cost. It’s no secret that roof replacements are significant investments, so you want a high-quality result without breaking the bank. Owens Corning and GAF are comparable, but let’s take a closer look.
Owens Corning Upfront Cost
The standard measurement term in the roofing industry is a roofing “square.” A roofing square is equal to 100 square feet. Generally, Owens Corning ranges from $100-$205 per square, depending on if you go with 3-tab shingles, architectural shingles, or designer products.
GAF Upfront Cost
GAF is similarly priced to Owens Corning, but their products are a little more expensive. Typically, a roofing square of GAF shingles ranges from $110-$250. Keep in mind that these numbers are only for shingles. This doesn’t include other accessories or labor costs.
The Verdict: Prices are similar, but Owens Corning costs slightly less upfront.
🏆 Upfront Cost Winner: Owens Corning
Both Brands Are Reliable for Your Home
It’s no secret why Owens Corning and GAF are both top brands in the roofing world. Here at Bondoc Roofing, we’re proud to be Owens Corning Preferred Contractors and GAF Master Elite Certified. This means we’re able to offer the best warranties from both brands.
At the end of the day, either product will perform well here in Texas. You can decide what your priorities are— colors and upfront cost or weather resistance. Our team is also happy to help point you in the right direction based on your specific needs!
Ready to get started? Contact Bondoc today for an estimate on your roof replacement!
