CertainTeed is one of the oldest and most respected names in the building products industry. They have been manufacturing roofing materials since 1904, and their parent company, Saint Gobain, is one of the largest building materials companies in the world. When you install CertainTeed products on your home, you are getting materials backed by over a century of manufacturing expertise.
Their Landmark shingle series is the line most relevant to Colorado homeowners, and it includes several variations that address different priorities and budgets. Here is what you need to know.
The Landmark Lineup
CertainTeed Landmark is the base architectural shingle in the family. It features a dual layered construction that creates dimensional depth and visual interest on the roof. It comes in a wide color range and carries a limited lifetime warranty. The Landmark is a solid, mid to upper tier architectural shingle that competes directly with GAF Timberline HDZ and Owens Corning Duration.
Landmark PRO steps up the weight and thickness, providing a more substantial profile and enhanced wind resistance. It is a good middle ground between the standard Landmark and the premium lines.
Landmark PRO MAX offers the heaviest weight in the Landmark family with a thick, dramatic profile that mimics the look of wood shake. It is CertainTeed's response to the demand for premium aesthetics without moving to specialty products like tile or slate.
Where CertainTeed Really Shines: The NorthGate
For Colorado specifically, the CertainTeed NorthGate is the product worth paying attention to. The NorthGate uses SBS (Styrene Butadiene Styrene) modified asphalt, which is a fundamentally different material than the standard oxidized asphalt used in most architectural shingles.
SBS modification gives the shingle a rubberized flexibility that provides two major advantages in Colorado. First, it maintains flexibility in cold temperatures. Standard asphalt shingles become rigid and brittle when temperatures drop below freezing. SBS modified shingles stay pliable, which means they are less likely to crack during Colorado's harsh winter conditions and freeze thaw cycling.
Second, the rubberized composition provides excellent impact resistance. The NorthGate carries a Class 4 impact rating, the highest available, and the SBS modified asphalt absorbs hail impact energy rather than cracking. In real world hail events on the Front Range, SBS modified shingles consistently show less damage than standard asphalt products of similar weight and construction.
The NorthGate also carries impressive wind resistance ratings and includes CertainTeed's StreakFighter algae resistance technology.
Warranty Structure
CertainTeed's warranty program is tiered based on the contractor's certification level. Their top warranty tier requires installation by a CertainTeed Shingle Master certified contractor. The SureStart Plus warranty provides extended material and workmanship coverage that gives homeowners long term protection.
An important note about CertainTeed's warranty structure: the workmanship portion is backed through the contractor certification program, similar to Owens Corning's approach. This is slightly different from GAF's Golden Pledge, where workmanship is backed directly by GAF. Understanding this distinction matters when you are comparing long term warranty protection across brands.
Gates Enterprises is a CertainTeed Shingle Master certified contractor, which qualifies us to offer their highest warranty tier on every installation. We also hold GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, and Malarkey Emerald Pro certifications, making us one of the only quadruple certified contractors in Colorado our certifications.
Color and Aesthetic Options
This is an area where CertainTeed consistently excels. Their color range and visual quality is arguably the best in the industry, particularly in their premium lines. The Landmark series offers colors ranging from classic charcoals and grays to warm earth tones and dramatic blends.
CertainTeed's premium shingle lines, including the Grand Manor and Carriage House, offer luxury aesthetics that can genuinely transform a home's curb appeal. These designer shingles replicate the look of natural slate or wood shake and are in a class of their own visually.
For Colorado homes in upscale neighborhoods or HOA communities with strict aesthetic requirements, CertainTeed's premium options provide a level of visual sophistication that is difficult to match with other manufacturers' standard product lines.
Performance Summary for Colorado
Standard Landmark shingles provide solid performance comparable to competing products from GAF and Owens Corning. They are a reliable choice that has performed well across thousands of Colorado installations.
The NorthGate with SBS modified asphalt provides genuinely superior cold weather performance and hail resistance. For Colorado homeowners who want the best possible shingle performance in our specific climate conditions, the NorthGate is one of the top two or three products available from any manufacturer.
The premium aesthetic lines provide unmatched visual quality for homeowners who prioritize curb appeal and are willing to invest in the highest end products.
Pricing in the Colorado Market
CertainTeed Landmark pricing is competitive with GAF Timberline HDZ and Owens Corning Duration at the standard architectural level. The NorthGate commands a moderate premium over standard architectural options, roughly comparable to Class 4 options from GAF and Malarkey. The premium designer lines carry higher costs that reflect their enhanced materials and aesthetics.
Is CertainTeed Landmark the Right Choice?
CertainTeed is an excellent brand with a deep product lineup. The NorthGate's SBS modified technology makes it particularly well suited for Colorado's climate. And the aesthetic options in their premium lines are genuinely best in class.
The best way to determine if CertainTeed is right for your home is to compare it side by side with competing products in a conversation with a contractor who carries all the major brands. At Gates Enterprises, we do exactly that about Gates Enterprises.
Call us at (720) 766-3377 or contact us for a free inspection and product consultation. We will show you samples, discuss the performance differences, and help you choose the perfect shingle for your Colorado home.