What are Luxury Shingles
Luxury shingles, also known as Designer shingles, are asphalt roofing shingles that prioritize appearance over durability. They often resemble genuine wood shakes like Owens Corning’s Woodmoor or natural rock slate such as GAF’s Slateline. They’re also usually thicker and heavier than alternative shingles. Of course, they tend to be more costly as well. When professionally installed and properly maintained, they typically last 30-40 years. But are luxury shingles worth the extra cost?
Advantages of Designer/Luxury Roofing Shingles
Designer/luxury roofing shingles have some advantages over common architectural shingles. If these appeal to you, consider designer shingles over common architectural shingles. However, you should also consider their disadvantages below.
Unique Appearance
Almost all designer shingles have their own unique appearance. For example, Owens Corning’s Woodcrest and Woodmoor designer shingles more closely resemble real wood shake than their architectural shingles, including the Oakridge or Duration lines. GAF’s Grand Sequoia and Woodland shingles also look like real wood more than their popular Timberline collection. GAF’s Camelot designer shingles have a slate-like appearance.
Curb Appeal
Because of their unique appearance, designer shingles tend to have higher curb appeal. When your home has the same architectural shingles as your neighbors, it’s hard to stand out. However, if you want your home to stand out, whether you’re listing it or simply aiming to be unique, designer shingles are a great choice.
Disadvantages of Designer/Luxury Roofing Shingles
Designer/Luxury roofing shingles aren’t without their disadvantages. If you’re considering luxury roofing shingles for their unique appearance, please consider the following disadvantages.
Higher Upfront Cost
Luxury shingles often cost more because of their appearance and thickness. They also often come with longer warranties. Do not confuse the longer warranty with expected lifespan.
Heavier Weight
Because most luxury roofing shingles are thicker, they’re also heavier. A heavier roof covering means more stress on your roof deck and framework. It’s good to keep this in mind.
Less Durable
Most designer/luxury roofing shingles sacrifice durability for appearance. Notice on Owens Corning’s website that their luxury WoodCrest and WoodMoor shingles do not have OC’s WeatherGuard or SureNail technologies, even though they’re Class-4 impact rated. A thick shingle leaves more for wind to grab.
Who Offers Luxury Shingles
A number of manufacturers offer luxury/design shingles, such as Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, and IKO.
- Owens Corning
- Woodmoor (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- GAF
- Woodland
- Camelot II
- Grand Sequoia
- Grand Sequoia AS (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- Stateline
- CertainTeed
- Grand Manor (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- Carriage House (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- Presidential Shake
- Presidential Shake IR (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- Presidential Shake TL (Class-4 Impact Rated)
- IKO
- Armourshake
- Cambridge
Are Luxury Roofing Shingles Worth the Extra Cost
In some cases, yes, some luxury shingles are worth the extra cost. However, some are not. A Class-4 impact-rated shingle is worth the additional cost. Northern Colorado gets hailstorms. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get Class-4 impact-rated shingles, luxury or not. If you’re considering a non-Class-4 impact-rated shingle, they might not be worth it. You might be better off getting Class-4 impact-rated shingles, such as Owens Corning’s Duration Storm.
Which Are The Best Luxury Roofing Shingles?
The best luxury roofing shingles combine durability, longevity, and appearance. A durable shingle comes with a Class-4 impact rating, a Class-A fire resistance rating, and a wind warranty of at least 110mph. The best luxury/designer shingles also last at least 30 years and come with a lifetime warranty. Luxury shingles that meet these requirements are Owens Corning’s Woodmoor, GAF’s Grand Sequoia, and CertainTeed’s Grand Manor, Carriage House, and Presidential Shake TL.
Owens Corning’s Woodmoor
Owens Corning’s Woodmoor luxury shingles are Class-4 impact-rated, come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, and come with a 130mph wind warranty. Since they’re thicker and heavier than their other shingle lines, they resemble real wood shake. When professionally installed, you should expect at least 30 years from your Woodmoor luxury shingles.
GAF’s Grand Sequoia
GAF’s Grand Sequoia AS luxury shingles have the appearance of rugged, hand-cut wood shake. These SBS-modified shingles come with a Class-4 impact rating, making them a great choice for those looking for a durable luxury shingle. They’re warrantied to withstand maximum wind gusts of up to 130 mph.
CertainTeed’s Grand Manor
CertainTeed’s luxury shingles come with Class-4 impact resistance, 10-year SureStart protection, a 15-year 110mph wind warranty (upgradable to 130mph), and a 50-year limited transferable warranty against manufacturer defects. Grand Manor shingles are designed to replicate natural slate. These luxury shingles are heavy and feature a broad, random design. Carriage House shingles have the appearance of hand-crafted, scalloped-edge natural slate. Presidential Shake TL shingles feature a triple-layer laminate technology and have the appearance of natural cedar shakes.
Luxury Shingle Alternatives
Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm
One alternative to luxury/designer shingles is any Class-4 impact-rated shingles, such as Owens Corning’s TruDefinition Duration Storm or Tamko’s StormFighter Flex. These highly durable shingles prioritize durability and strength. That’s not to say they’re not attractive. Tamko’s Stormfighter shingles are available in a number of attractive colors, such as Black Walnut, Thunderstorm Grey, and Rustic Slate.
Steel Shingles or Shake
If you like the look of luxury shingles but prioritize durability and longevity, consider stone-coated steel shingles. These are a great alternative to luxury or designer shingles for several reasons. Steel shingles are recyclable in our area, unlike traditional asphalt shingles. They also last 2 to 3 times longer than normal shingles. Also, because they last so much longer than traditional asphalt shingles, you’re being inconvenienced less often by the re-roofing process. It’s worth checking out these luxury shingle alternatives.
For those looking for a roof that more closely resembles real wood shake, consider Westlake Royal Roofing’s Pine-Crest Shake. Steel holds a profile or shape better than flexible fiberglass, which is why Westlake Royal Roofing’s Pine-Crest Shake is a great alternative to real wood shake. For those that prefer the look of traditional shingles, consider their Cottage Shingle line.
The Bottom Line
Prioritizing appearance sometimes comes at a cost. For example, GAF’s Grand Sequoia AS shingles are Class-4 impact-rated. Yet, their Slateline shingles are not. Owens Corning’s Woodmoor shingles are Class-4 impact-rated and come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty and a 130mph wind warranty, just like their Duration Storm shingles. However, they do not come with Storm’s Weatherguard Technology or their SureNail Technology. CertainTeed’s Presidential Shake shingles are classified as Luxury and are among their most expensive, but they’re not Class-4 impact rated.
If appearance is your top priority, Owens Corning’s Woodmoor and GAF’s Grand Sequoia AS Luxury shingles are very attractive, Class-4 impact rated, and should serve you well. If you want an attractive shingle that also lasts a very long time, consider stone-coated steel.
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