Finding the right roof shingles for your home maybe even more important than you think. 

Not only will you have to look at them every day, but they also have a huge impact on the longevity of your home. To help you find the perfect shingle, we’re going to break down two of the most popular asphalt shingle brands on the market CertainTeed vs. Owens Corning.

Like we’ve done in a previous test, we’ll break them down by weight, nail zone, pull test, coverage, count per bundle, online reputation, granule loss, contractors programs, sealant test, and warranty issues.

Follow along for a side-by-side comparison as we find out who makes a Superior Asphalt Shingle in 2022.

Does Roof Shingle Weight Correlate With Quality?

Ranking each category on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the best), both these shingles score well when it comes to weight. CertainTeed came out just barely ahead of Owens Corning, scoring a 5 compared to OC’s 4.

Weight isn’t always indicative of quality. You can have lighter shingles that are still very durable and look great. But, CT does have a slight advantage here.

Nailing Zone

The nailing zone is important to consider if you’re installing your own roof. So, for DIYers or roofers viewing this guide, this is a key category. This time, OC has the advantage, scoring a 5 compared to CTs 4. So, if you are looking for a shingle that is easy to install, both score well here, but OC is the true champion when it comes to the nailing zone.

Pull Test

Another tightly contested category, the pull test can demonstrate just how good the shingles are at staying nailed in when force is applied to them. Owens Corning was given a 5 here, showing that it is up there with the best of the best when it comes to handling the elements. CertainTeed scored a 4, which is still a very respectable score for this category.

Roof Coverage Per Bundle

The common rule of thumb with shingle coverage is that three bundles equate to cover one square of the area of a roof. Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning came up just short here, each scoring 4s. Nothing to be too worried about, but it’s good to know what you can expect in the coverage department when purchasing your singles.

What’s The Roof Shingle Count Per Bundle?

Your roof shingles should be fairly accurate when it comes to how many shingles you get in each bundle. When this is the case, it makes it much easier to ensure you buy the right amount and don’t pay for a bundle you don’t need. Once again, CertainTeed and Owens Corning both scored 4 in this department.

Online Reputation

It’s always smart to consider what people online have to say about specific shingles. Obviously, there isn’t such a thing as a shingle that will have perfect marks from everyone. Some people will always be dissatisfied regardless of the quality of the shingles. And, oftentimes, the fault lies with the roofer, not the shingle manufacturer. When it comes to online reputation, Owens Corning gets the edge with a score of 4 to CertainTeed’s 3. You shouldn’t base your decision solely on online reviews, but they can help guide your decision.

What Is Granule Loss For Your Roof?

Granule loss is something you want to avoid if you can. A shingle that experiences heavy granule loss won’t last as long or protect your home as well as one that doesn’t have this issue. When it comes to granule loss, Owens Corning takes the cake with a score of 5. CertainTeed was less impressive in our tests, scoring a 3. That’s not terrible, and it’s not an absolute dealbreaker, but if you’ve had trouble in the past with granule loss, you can expect to avoid that with OC’s shingles.

Contractor/Education Programs

This test is mostly concerned with roofers that will be installing the shingles. If you’re using a brand of shingles for the first time, it’s nice to have access to education/contractor programs that can show you exactly how to install them so your customers will be satisfied with their new roof. Both CertainTeed and Owens Corning scored 5s in this category. So, if you’re nervous about trying out a new shingle brand for your roofing contractor business, you need not worry about using these shingles.

Roof Shingle Sealant

Surprisingly, in our expanded test with 8 different shingle brands, each and every one of them scored 5s. So, when it comes to sealant tests, both CertainTeed and Owens Corning will work well with the sealant you use.

Roof Warranty Issues (Homeowners Nightmare)

When it came to issues with previous class actions or exclusions/any other troublesome language outlined in the warranty, we were happy to see both Owens corning and CertainTeed passed with flying colors. We have both of them 5s in this category. So, being screwed over by the manufacturer when it comes to warranty is not something is not something you’ll have to worry about when it comes to these two brands.

The Verdict: Which is Best?

To find out which shingle is the best, we simply averaged the scores they got for each category. Owens Corning came out with a 4.6, which is a really good score. Meanwhile, CertainTeed scored a 4.2, which is still very respectable.

So, while Owens Corning does have a fairly big edge when compared to CertainTeed, both are very viable options.

To help you more with your decision, here are some other factors to consider when choosing your shingles.

The Color/Look

Above all else, you need to make sure that you like the look and color of your shingles. While you may have to compromise a little to fit your shingle choice into your budget, make sure that you at least still really like how the shingle looks. You don’t want your first look at your new roof once it is finished to be one of disappointment. Finding the balance between budget and looks is tricky, but we recommend being willing to pay a little more for a shingle color/look you like than compromising on a cheaper one.

Roof Shingle Style

In line with the color is the style of the shingle. Not all shingles are created the same. Some definitely look better than others. So, just as with the color, make sure that you like the style of the shingle. Here is a pro tip: Order samples or attend trade shows to get a look at shingles in person and in action. Doing so can help ensure that you make the right choice.

Price/Budget

While we already talked about your budget a little bit, it’s worth diving deeper into because it’s such a tricky balance to maintain. It can be tempting to go for the cheapest option—and in some cases, it will definitely make sense to do so—but don’t be afraid to explore some more premium options before defaulting to the one that costs the least. As a reminder, you actually want to like the look of your home!

Resale Value

It’s important to think ahead of things when investing in a home improvement project. Whether it’s something as complex as a massive remodel or home addition, or something a little smaller like a new roof, consider the long-term implications of the decisions you make. For example, if you’re thinking of maybe selling your home or moving elsewhere, consider investing in shingles that will increase your home’s resale value. Many protective buyers will inquire about the last time the roof was replaced and how much longer the expected lifespan is. If you can tell them that you recently replaced the roof and used premium shingles built to last, you can expect to get a higher return on your investment.

And there you have it! Now, you should be ready to head out and find the perfect shingles for your home or contractor business. Make sure to check out the rest of our blog for additional insight into the roofing industry, including more product and equipment reviews and general tips!