Head-to-Head Comparison
GAF vs CertainTeed Shingles
GAF and CertainTeed together hold roughly 80% of the US asphalt shingle market, and St. Louis roofers install both constantly. These aren't meaningfully different products at the base level — but the warranty structures, certified contractor programs, and system-level accessories diverge in ways that matter when you have a claim.
Our Verdict
GAF's WindProven certification (no wind speed limit with qualifying system installation) and the depth of their certified contractor network in St. Louis give them a narrow edge for homeowners who prioritize warranty breadth and storm claim backup.
| Dimension | GAF | CertainTeed |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Rating | Unlimited mph (WindProven system); 130 mph standard GAF's WindProven certification removes the wind speed cap entirely when installed with qualifying GAF leak barrier, starter, and ridge — a meaningful claim advantage in severe St. Louis storm events. | 110–130 mph (SureStart PLUS); no unlimited option |
| Installed Cost (STL 2026) | $7–$10/sqft Material costs are nearly identical across the metro. Project price depends on contractor markup and local availability — neither brand commands a consistent premium. | $7–$10.50/sqft |
| Warranty Structure | Golden Pledge (50-yr) or System Plus; workmanship covered GAF's Golden Pledge warranty covers both materials and labor for 50 years when installed by a Master Elite contractor. CertainTeed's SELECT ShingleMaster program is comparable but Golden Pledge has broader adoption locally. | SureStart PLUS (10-yr workmanship); 50-yr material |
| Color / Style Range | 35+ colors in Timberline line CertainTeed's Landmark and Landmark Pro offer slightly more SKUs and better shadow definition on premium colors. For homeowners who spend significant time choosing color, CertainTeed's options are more differentiated. | 50+ colors; stronger 'wood-look' profiles |
| Local Contractor Depth | ~60+ GAF Master Elite contractors in STL metro More Master Elite contractors in St. Louis means more competitive bids on GAF systems and more options if your first-choice roofer isn't available after a storm event. | ~40+ SELECT ShingleMasters in STL metro |
Choose GAF if...
Choose GAF if warranty depth and storm claim protection are your top priorities, especially if you can access a Master Elite contractor who can offer the Golden Pledge 50-year workmanship warranty.
Choose CertainTeed if...
Choose CertainTeed if color selection and visual depth matter most, or if a SELECT ShingleMaster contractor gives you a strong competitive bid with comparable workmanship warranty terms.
What the Warranty Programs Actually Mean
Both manufacturers run tiered contractor certification programs that unlock better warranty terms. GAF's Master Elite designation — held by the top 3% of GAF contractors nationally — enables the Golden Pledge warranty, which covers both materials and labor for 50 years and includes non-prorated coverage for the first 10 years. This is the most comprehensive asphalt warranty available and matters specifically because most shingle failures in the field are installation errors, not material defects.
CertainTeed's SELECT ShingleMaster is their equivalent program. The SureStart PLUS warranty covers workmanship for 10 years and materials for 50. It's a strong warranty — but the labor coverage window is shorter than Golden Pledge. For a homeowner who plans to stay in the house 20+ years, that 10-year vs. 50-year workmanship coverage gap is meaningful.
The practical advice: if you're comparing GAF and CertainTeed bids, ask specifically whether the contractor is Master Elite (GAF) or SELECT ShingleMaster (CertainTeed). A Golden Pledge-eligible GAF install beats a standard CertainTeed install. A standard GAF install and a SureStart PLUS CertainTeed install are approximately equal.
Performance in St. Louis Weather
St. Louis weather is genuinely harsh on roofs — the city sits in the intersection of cold polar air from the north, warm Gulf moisture from the south, and dry continental air from the west. The result is dramatic temperature swings (30°F–80°F within a week in spring and fall), significant hail frequency, and periodic wind events from derecho systems that push sustained gusts above 60 mph and sometimes above 80 mph.
GAF's WindProven system is the only architectural shingle system with unlimited wind speed certification from an independent lab. To achieve it, you need GAF's WeatherBlocker starter strip, Deck-Armor or FeltBuster underlayment, and Seal-A-Ridge or TimberTex cap shingles — all GAF products. If your contractor installs the full system, the unlimited wind warranty kicks in. This matters for insurance claims: when a derecho event causes borderline wind damage, having a no-cap wind warranty removes carrier ambiguity.
CertainTeed's Landmark and Landmark Pro perform comparably in hail and standard wind events. The 110–130 mph wind rating covers the vast majority of St. Louis storms. The gap only shows in the 1–2% of events where sustained winds exceed 130 mph — rare but not impossible in a severe derecho year.
Making the Call for Your Home
If you're getting multiple bids and one contractor is GAF Master Elite, push for the Golden Pledge warranty — it's the single most valuable upgrade available in standard asphalt. The material cost difference between GAF HDZ and CertainTeed Landmark is essentially zero; the warranty gap can be significant.
If CertainTeed comes in from a SELECT ShingleMaster contractor at the same price, the color selection advantage is real. CertainTeed's Landmark Premium and Grand Manor lines have genuinely better shadow and texture depth than GAF's equivalent tier, and for curb appeal that's not trivial.
In practice, Revolve installs both. We recommend GAF when maximizing storm warranty coverage is the priority (frequently the case post-storm-claim or in hail-belt neighborhoods with aggressive insurers). We recommend CertainTeed when the homeowner is design-forward and wants premium color depth. Both will last 25–30 years when properly installed.
St. Louis Context
St. Louis derechos regularly push wind gusts above 60–80 mph; GAF's WindProven unlimited wind warranty (available through Master Elite contractors) provides cleaner insurance claim documentation when borderline wind damage is disputed by carriers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GAF or CertainTeed more popular in St. Louis?+
GAF has a larger share of the St. Louis market, driven primarily by the breadth of their Master Elite contractor network here. Both are widely stocked by local distributors — SRS, ABC Supply, and Beacon all carry both brands — so neither has a lead-time advantage.
What does it mean when a contractor says they're 'GAF certified'?+
GAF has multiple tiers: Certified, Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor, and Master Elite (top tier). Only Master Elite contractors can offer the Golden Pledge 50-year workmanship warranty. 'Certified' is the entry level and carries no warranty upgrade. Ask specifically for the tier — it changes what warranty is available to you.
Can I get the unlimited wind warranty with CertainTeed?+
No. CertainTeed's maximum wind warranty is 130 mph under the SureStart PLUS program. GAF's WindProven certification (unlimited mph) is unique to the GAF system when installed with qualifying GAF accessories.
Do either of these qualify for MO/IL insurance discounts?+
Standard Timberline HDZ and Landmark are Class 1–2 impact-rated products and do not qualify for the Class 4 insurance discount. Both manufacturers offer Class 4 versions — GAF Timberline HDZ CS and CertainTeed Landmark IR — at a modest premium. If insurance savings are a priority, ask specifically for the IR/CS versions.
How do I compare bids that use different brands?+
Ask each contractor to specify: (1) exact product line and color, (2) underlayment spec, (3) starter strip brand, (4) ridge cap, and (5) warranty tier available. A GAF Golden Pledge bid and a CertainTeed standard warranty bid are not equivalent even at the same price — the warranty depth differs substantially.