New Roof- questions

[JMA1125]

I've gotten a few estimates for a new roof and am hoping that some knowledgable folks here can answer a few questions. Each company is telling me something different and I don't know who's right.

What shingles are best- GAF or CertainTeed? They both have a 50-year warranty.

What is better for ventilation- turbines or box vents?

Thanks

 

[dmclone]

I've gotten a few estimates for a new roof and am hoping that some knowledgable folks here can answer a few questions. Each company is telling me something different and I don't know who's right.

What shingles are best- GAF or CertainTeed? They both have a 50-year warranty.

What is better for ventilation- turbines or box vents?

Thanks

I don't know what's best but we replaced ours about 6 months ago and I can honestly say I've never had a better experience then I did with the guy that did our roof. So many times you call/email these guys and they never get back to you. It's like they don't want your money. The company we used was Action Roofing and we went with GAF Timberline HD roof. They removed our vents and put in ridge vents? We dealt with the owner Albert and he actually said that we could probably go a couple of years more with our roof.

 

[3GenClone]

We went with GAF when we had our roof replaced last October. I'm pretty sure they sell GAF at Home Depot & Lowes so if you need you need shingles replaced you (or your contractor) can get replacements in a hurry.

 

[troyisu]

I've gotten a few estimates for a new roof and am hoping that some knowledgable folks here can answer a few questions. Each company is telling me something different and I don't know who's right.

What shingles are best- GAF or CertainTeed? They both have a 50-year warranty.

What is better for ventilation- turbines or box vents?

Thanks

As a former insurance adjuster, here's my 2 cents...

Unless you're sold on a 50 year shingle, I would seriously consider a 40. Minimal difference in shingle performance from 40 to 50. Baseball sized hail is going to destroy both and why not save some money.

GAF is the better option than CertainTeed, but Tamko's are a really good option as well.

Go with the ridge vent if possible.

 

[Ames]

GAF Timberline HD and ridge vents.

 

[cycoticfan]

Replaced a roof on our house and they used GAF. As far as venting, 20 years with ridge vents and no issues. Neighbors had turbines and had a lot of moisture issues.

 

[Gorm]

I installed Ridgevent with my new roof back in 2010. Best thing I ever did. Go for it!

I also did the roof myself and went with CertainTeed from Menards. Zero issues so far. Shingles went on in 2010, and I removed my furnace pipe in 2016. I didn't have enough extras so bought the same color and style at Menards again. The color difference was so minimal I can't find the spot when I'm on the ground. So I'm very impressed with them.

 

[cyclonedave25]

I used to roof houses in college and I would say about 75% of our houses used Certainteed, the rest were Timberlines. And about half of the houses used ridgevent, the other half used box vents. I think we only did 1 or 2 houses with those turbines.
If I were to roof my own house, I'd use Certainteed with Ridgevent.

 

[Alcyclone]

I am a contractor and recommend Timberline HD, but may want to consider Timberline HD ultra. it is a lot heavier shingle. or if you want to go with the best shingle go with Malarkey in my opinion. There rubber membrane shingle is absolutely the best shingle made.

 

[Jmarsh13]

We used Owens Corning TrueDef Duration shingles and a ridge vents. Warranty length is pretty much a non-factor here in Dallas as between heat and hail you are lucky to get 10-12 years out of a roof. Pay thru the nose for home owner's insurance as the insurance companies know this as well...

Insurance covered roof replacement last year due to multiple golf ball size+ hail storms within 2 week time. Just glad we missed the softball hail stones that were 2-3 miles away that went thru roof sheathing and ceilings and landed inside peoples houses.

 

[Bryce7]

We used Owens Corning TrueDef Duration shingles and a ridge vents. Warranty length is pretty much a non-factor here in Dallas as between heat and hail you are lucky to get 10-12 years out of a roof. Pay thru the nose for home owner's insurance as the insurance companies know this as well...

Insurance covered roof replacement last year due to multiple golf ball size+ hail storms within 2 week time. Just glad we missed the softball hail stones that were 2-3 miles away that went thru roof sheathing and ceilings and landed inside peoples houses.

I am getting a new roof and I am foregoing the lighter three tab shingles and putting on impact resistance shingles that give your roof a better chance to survive larger hail and high winds for say $1000 more since shingles are 20% of the cost of a roof. I know Certainteed and GAF have similar. Mularkey Legacy Class 4 are rubberized and cut easily and survive larger hail. Owens Corning Duration architectural laminate class 4 at Menards are cheaper and high wind with a good stick down and some fiberglass. The way my claim was estimated, I had money for better shingles. We had several skylights broke out in the neighborhood. Our hailstones lasted five minutes and were much bigger than golf balls.