Yes, CertainTeed shingles are a good roofing option for Michigan homeowners who value durability, dimensional appearance, impact resistance, and strong manufacturer warranties.
The company produces everything from traditional strip shingles to architectural products such as Landmark® and Landmark PRO®, cold-weather-focused products such as NorthGate® ClimateFlex®, and luxury shingles that resemble slate or cedar shakes.
However, choosing a reliable shingle involves more than selecting a familiar brand. The product line, impact rating, wind coverage, algae protection, roof ventilation, accessory materials, and installation quality can all affect how the finished roofing system performs.
Those factors are especially important for homeowners in Plymouth, Novi, Canton, Livonia, Ann Arbor, Belleville, Brighton, Milford, Garden City, and surrounding Michigan communities. A Michigan roof may experience snow, ice, freeze-and-thaw cycles, strong winds, hail, heavy rain, summer heat, and rapid temperature changes.
This guide explains the different types of CertainTeed shingles, how long they may last, how they perform in cold weather, and what homeowners should understand about warranties before scheduling a roof replacement.
Key Takeaways
- CertainTeed shingles include dimensional, luxury, designer, impact-resistant, and traditional strip options.
- Landmark and Landmark PRO currently carry UL 2218 Class 3 impact ratings, while products such as Landmark Premium, NorthGate ClimateFlex, and Presidential Shake TL carry Class 4 ratings.
- NailTrak® provides a clearly marked nailing area, while StreakFighter® uses copper-infused granules to help resist algae discoloration.
- Most premium CertainTeed products carry lifetime limited transferable warranties, but actual coverage varies by product, installation system, ownership, and contractor credentials.
- CertainTeed shingles can be installed during colder weather when the roof is dry, and contractors follow the manufacturer’s handling, fastening, sealing, and storage requirements.
What Are CertainTeed Shingles?
CertainTeed shingles are fiberglass-reinforced asphalt roofing products designed for steep-slope residential roofs. The shingles generally include a fiberglass mat, asphalt coating, protective mineral granules, sealant strips, and other components designed to resist weather exposure.
The visible shingles are only one part of the roof. A complete roofing system also includes components such as:
- Ice and water protection
- Roof underlayment
- Starter shingles
- Field shingles
- Hip and ridge shingles
- Flashing
- Intake and exhaust ventilation
CertainTeed calls its complete assembly the Integrity Roof System®. Combining compatible shingles and accessories can improve system performance and may also affect eligibility for enhanced warranty coverage.
Expert insight: CertainTeed emphasizes that extended SureStart PLUS coverage is tied to an eligible Integrity Roof System installed by a credentialed contractor. Homeowners should therefore compare the entire proposed system, not only the shingle brand.
Are CertainTeed Shingles Good for Michigan Weather?
CertainTeed shingles can be a strong choice for Michigan because the manufacturer offers different levels of wind, impact, algae, fire, and cold-weather performance.
That does not mean every CertainTeed product offers identical protection. A basic strip shingle and a polymer-modified Class 4 shingle differ in design, ratings, warranties, and cost.
Michigan homeowners should pay particular attention to:
- Impact-resistance classification
- Wind warranty and installation requirements
- Cold-weather flexibility
- Algae-discoloration protection
- Ice and water barriers
- Attic ventilation
- Flashing around valleys, chimneys, and penetrations
- Manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage
Impact resistance can also be valuable, particularly in areas that experience hail. However, an impact-resistance rating does not make a roof completely hail-proof.
Expert insight: Product ratings are important, but shingles perform as part of an installed system. Proper fastening and edge protection can be just as important as the name printed on the shingle wrapper.
What Types of CertainTeed Shingles Are Available?
CertainTeed shingles generally fall into three broad categories: dimensional shingles, luxury or designer shingles, and traditional strip shingles.
| Product Tier | General Appearance | Potential Benefits | Examples |
| Dimensional shingles | Layered, wood-shake-inspired profile | Balance of cost, appearance, and performance | Landmark, Landmark PRO, Landmark Premium, Landmark ClimateFlex |
| Luxury and designer shingles | Deep patterns resembling slate or cedar | Premium curb appeal, heavier construction, and distinctive designs | Presidential Shake, Presidential Shake TL, Grand Manor, Carriage House |
| Strip shingles | Flat, repeating three-tab pattern | Traditional appearance and lower initial material cost | XT 25 |
| Impact-resistant shingles | Architectural or luxury profile | Class 3 or Class 4 tested impact resistance | Landmark, Landmark PRO, NorthGate ClimateFlex, Landmark Premium |
What Are Dimensional CertainTeed Shingles?
Dimensional shingles use laminated layers to create greater depth than traditional 3-tab shingles. They may also be called architectural or laminated shingles.
The Landmark series is CertainTeed’s best-known dimensional product family.
Landmark Shingles
CertainTeed Landmark shingles use a dual-layer design intended to produce the appearance of natural wood shakes.
Current product specifications include:
- UL 2218 Class 3 impact resistance
- UL Class A fire resistance
- NailTrak installation technology
- StreakFighter algae protection
- A 10-year SureStart protection period
- A 15-year, 110-mph wind-resistance warranty
- An available upgrade to 160-mph wind coverage when installation requirements are met
Landmark can be appropriate for homeowners who want an architectural appearance without moving into the highest-priced luxury tier.
Landmark PRO Shingles
Landmark PRO is an upgraded architectural option with heavier construction, enhanced color blending, and Max Def color choices.
Landmark PRO currently includes:
- UL 2218 Class 3 impact resistance
- UL Class A fire resistance
- A 30-year StreakFighter algae-resistance warranty
- NailTrak installation technology
- A lifetime, limited transferable warranty
- A 110-mph wind warranty with an available upgrade to 160 mph
Landmark PRO is often a logical choice for homeowners who want richer color and a more substantial appearance without choosing a full luxury shingle.
Landmark Premium Shingles
Landmark Premium offers a heavier, more substantial version of the Landmark design. It currently carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact-resistance classification.
That distinction may appeal to homeowners looking for additional impact resistance while retaining the familiar Landmark architectural appearance.
Landmark ClimateFlex and NorthGate ClimateFlex
ClimateFlex products use polymer-modified asphalt designed to remain more flexible during cold weather and improve resistance to damaging impacts.
NorthGate ClimateFlex currently carries:
- UL 2218 Class 4 impact resistance
- UL Class A fire resistance
- A 30-year algae-resistance warranty
- A lifetime limited transferable residential warranty
- A 110-mph wind warranty that may be upgraded to 160 mph
ClimateFlex may be particularly relevant for Michigan homeowners concerned about colder installation conditions, impact resistance, and surface granule adhesion.
Knowledge Box: Architectural Shingle
An architectural shingle is a laminated asphalt shingle designed to create greater depth and visual variation than a flat 3-tab shingle. Architectural shingles are also called dimensional or laminated shingles.
Expert insight: Architectural does not automatically mean impact-resistant. Homeowners should verify the exact UL 2218 classification for the specific product listed in their roofing proposal.
What Are Luxury and Designer CertainTeed Shingles?
Luxury CertainTeed shingles use specialized shapes, heavier construction, and layered color patterns to replicate natural slate or wood shakes.
Popular options include:
Presidential Shake
Presidential Shake shingles resemble hand-split cedar shakes. The standard Presidential Shake currently carries a Class 3 impact rating, while Presidential Shake TL uses three laminated layers and carries a Class 4 rating.
Presidential Shake TL also carries a Class A fire rating and a lifetime limited warranty.
Grand Manor
Grand Manor shingles are designed to reproduce the appearance of natural slate. They use broad, randomly placed tabs and currently carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.
Carriage House
Carriage House shingles use cut-away corners and prominent shadow lines to create a scalloped slate appearance. They also currently carry a Class 4 impact rating.
Belmont
Belmont provides another slate-inspired appearance with Class 4 impact resistance, a Class A fire rating, and dimensional color patterns.
Luxury shingles generally cost more than standard architectural shingles. Their heavier construction, installation requirements, patterns, and accessory materials should all be considered when comparing roof quotes.
What Are Strip or 3-Tab Shingles?
Strip shingles use a flatter, more uniform pattern than laminated architectural shingles. CertainTeed’s XT 25 is a traditional strip-shingle option.
Strip shingles may have a lower initial material cost, but they typically provide less visual depth and different warranty terms than premium architectural products.
Many homeowners now select dimensional CertainTeed shingles for complete roof replacements because of their appearance, available impact ratings, and enhanced warranty options.
What Features Make CertainTeed Shingles Different?
CertainTeed uses several technologies intended to support accurate installation, weather resistance, and appearance.
What Is NailTrak Technology?
NailTrak® creates a wide and clearly visible nailing area across qualifying CertainTeed shingles.
The system uses multiple marked lines to help installers identify the proper fastening zone, including a separate area for steep-slope applications.
Correct nail placement matters because fasteners placed too high, too low, or outside the reinforced area may reduce the shingle’s ability to resist wind or remain securely laminated.
Knowledge Box: NailTrak
NailTrak is CertainTeed’s marked fastening area. It provides installers with a visible target for placing roofing nails in accordance with the product’s installation requirements.
How Does StreakFighter Protect a Roof?
StreakFighter® uses copper-infused surface granules to help prevent dark streaks caused by blue-green algae.
Depending on the product line and roof accessories used, CertainTeed shingles may include 25-year or 30-year limited algae-resistance coverage.
For example:
- Landmark currently carries 25-year algae-resistance coverage.
- Landmark PRO, Landmark Premium, and NorthGate ClimateFlex currently carry 30-year algae-resistance coverage.
The applicable warranty can depend on the use of matching algae-resistant hip and ridge accessories. Homeowners should review the complete written terms rather than relying on the number alone.
What Are QuadraBond and CertaSeal?
QuadraBond® secures laminated shingle layers together at four points. It is intended to help the layers remain bonded through changing weather conditions.
CertaSeal™ is an adhesive strip designed to seal shingles together after installation. The seal helps protect against wind uplift, shingle blow-off, and moisture infiltration.
Adhesive sealing can take longer during cold or cloudy weather, which makes proper cold-weather installation practices especially important.
Are CertainTeed Shingles Fire-Resistant?
Many CertainTeed architectural and luxury products carry a UL Class A fire-resistance rating.
Class A is the highest external fire-resistance classification used for roofing assemblies. It does not make the roof fireproof, but it indicates that the tested roofing assembly met the applicable Class A performance criteria.
Expert insight: Fire and impact ratings apply to specific products and assemblies. Always verify the technical data for the exact shingle selected rather than assuming every product under one brand carries the same ratings.
Can CertainTeed Shingles Be Installed in Cold Weather?
Yes, CertainTeed shingles can be installed in cold weather, but colder conditions require additional care.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association explains that asphalt shingles become less flexible as temperatures fall. Contractors should keep shingles warm before application, avoid bending or dropping cold bundles, and make sure the roof deck is free of frost, snow, and ice.
Cold-weather installation should include:
- Following the product-specific installation instructions
- Keeping shingles stored in a warm, dry location when necessary
- Handling shingles carefully to avoid cracking
- Making sure shingles lie flat before fastening
- Keeping the roof surface free of frost and ice
- Following the manufacturer’s requirements for sealing
- Confirming that the underlayment and leak barriers are appropriate for the temperature
Polymer-modified CertainTeed shingles, such as NorthGate ClimateFlex, are designed to remain more flexible at lower temperatures than standard asphalt shingles.
That does not mean every winter day is appropriate for roofing. High winds, snow, ice, unsafe roof surfaces, and extreme temperatures may necessitate postponing the project.
Expert insight: The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association’s cold-weather guidance states that the roof should be free of frost and ice and that contractors should choose conditions in which shingles remain sufficiently flexible for installation.
How Long Do CertainTeed Landmark Shingles Last?
CertainTeed Landmark shingles are designed to provide decades of service, but there is no single guaranteed lifespan for every roof.
The actual service life depends on:
- Installation quality
- Attic ventilation
- Roof slope and design
- Sun and weather exposure
- Ice-dam formation
- Tree coverage and accumulated debris
- Storm and hail exposure
- Flashing condition
- Maintenance and inspection frequency
- Condition of the roof deck
Landmark shingles carry a limited lifetime transferable warranty for qualifying residential installations. However, a lifetime limited warranty should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the roof will remain problem-free for the homeowner’s entire life.
“Lifetime” generally refers to the warranty period offered to an individual property owner on an owner-occupied residence. “Limited” means coverage remains subject to product terms, exclusions, prorating schedules, ownership rules, and installation requirements.
The best way to evaluate an aging roof is through a professional roof inspection. A roofer can identify granule loss, cracking, lifted tabs, exposed fasteners, deteriorated flashing, ventilation problems, or damage that may reduce the roof’s remaining service life.
Expert insight: Warranty length and expected service life are related but not interchangeable. A well-installed roof with balanced ventilation may perform much differently from the same shingles installed over a damaged deck or poorly ventilated attic.
What Warranties Come With CertainTeed Shingles?
CertainTeed warranty coverage generally falls into two categories:
- Standard manufacturer coverage, including SureStart protection
- Extended SureStart PLUS coverage available through eligible credentialed contractors
What Is SureStart Protection?
SureStart provides non-prorated protection during the initial years following installation if qualifying shingles have a manufacturing defect.
For many lifetime products, standard SureStart coverage lasts 10 years. During the applicable SureStart period, CertainTeed states that qualifying coverage includes 100% of the necessary replacement shingles and labor, subject to applicable warranty terms.
Knowledge Box: Non-Prorated Coverage
Non-prorated coverage means that eligible coverage is not reduced based on the age of the roofing materials during the specified period. Coverage remains subject to the warranty’s conditions and exclusions.
How Do SureStart PLUS Warranty Levels Compare?
CertainTeed’s warranty and credentialing guide outlines three primary SureStart PLUS levels.
| Warranty Level | General Coverage |
| 3-Star | Extended manufacturing-defect protection with materials and labor; qualifying tear-off and disposal coverage |
| 4-Star | Adds broader system protection and up to 15 years of manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage on qualifying installations |
| 5-Star | Provides the highest level, including up to 30 years of manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage on qualifying installations |
For qualifying lifetime shingles on detached single-family homes, certain SureStart PLUS options may extend non-prorated manufacturing-defect protection for up to 50 years.
The available warranty depends on:
- The contractor’s CertainTeed credential
- The shingles selected
- The number and type of CertainTeed system components installed
- The type of building
- Warranty registration
- Compliance with installation requirements
Renaissance Roofing is a certified CertainTeed installer and offers access to select extended manufacturer warranty options. The exact warranty should be identified in the written roof proposal before work begins.
What Wind Coverage Do CertainTeed Shingles Offer?
Many CertainTeed architectural products carry a 15-year wind warranty for winds up to 110 mph.
Some products can qualify for upgraded coverage of up to 160 mph when the roof uses the required CertainTeed starter shingles and matching hip and ridge accessories.
Luxury products may offer different available upgrades, such as 130 mph. Always confirm the applicable wind limit for the exact product.
A wind warranty does not guarantee that a roof cannot experience storm damage. It is limited by the written terms, installation requirements, exclusions, and coverage period.
CertainTeed Shingles: Pros and Cons
| Potential Advantages | Potential Limitations |
| Broad selection of architectural and luxury designs | Premium and luxury products have higher initial costs |
| Class 3 and Class 4 impact-resistant choices | Impact resistance does not mean hail-proof |
| NailTrak supports visible fastening placement | Proper performance still depends on correct installation |
| StreakFighter algae protection | Algae warranty terms vary by product and accessories |
| Cold-weather-focused ClimateFlex options | Cold-weather installation still requires suitable conditions |
| Lifetime limited transferable warranties on many products | “Lifetime” coverage is limited and becomes prorated |
| SureStart PLUS extended warranty options | Enhanced coverage requires eligible products and contractor credentials |
| Wind coverage upgrades available on qualifying systems | Required starter and hip-and-ridge components must be used |
| Wide range of colors and profiles | Not every product or color is available in every market |
How Can You Identify High-Quality Roofing Shingles?
Do not judge shingle quality by brand name or thickness alone. Compare the entire specification.
Ask the roofing contractor to identify:
- Exact manufacturer and product line
- Impact-resistance classification
- Fire-resistance rating
- Wind warranty
- Algae-resistance term
- Underlayment
- Ice and water barrier
- Starter shingles
- Hip and ridge shingles
- Flashing specifications
- Ventilation plan
- Manufacturer warranty
- Workmanship warranty
A detailed proposal should name the exact CertainTeed shingles being installed. A vague description such as “lifetime architectural shingles” does not provide enough information to accurately compare roofing quotes.
Expert insight: A high-quality shingle installed over deteriorated decking, incorrect flashing, or inadequate ventilation will not perform as well as the same product installed as part of a properly designed roofing system.
Choosing CertainTeed Shingles With Renaissance Roofing
CertainTeed shingles offer Michigan homeowners a broad range of choices, from Landmark architectural shingles to Class 4 ClimateFlex and luxury slate-inspired products.
The right selection depends on more than appearance. Homeowners should compare impact ratings, wind coverage, algae protection, warranty options, roof design, ventilation, and installation requirements.
Renaissance Roofing Inc. installs CertainTeed roofing products, including Landmark, Landmark PRO, NorthGate, and others, for homeowners throughout Plymouth, Novi, Canton, Livonia, Ann Arbor, Belleville, Brighton, Milford, Garden City, and nearby Michigan communities.
We provide roof inspections, roof repair, roof replacement, residential roofing services, roof financing, manufacturer-backed warranty options, and an online roof estimator.
Schedule a professional roof inspection to compare CertainTeed shingles, review product samples, evaluate your current roofing system, and receive a detailed roof quote based on your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About CertainTeed Shingles
Are CertainTeed shingles good?
Yes. CertainTeed shingles are a strong option for homeowners seeking dimensional styles, impact resistance, algae protection, wind resistance, and enhanced manufacturer warranty coverage. Final performance also depends on installation quality and the complete roofing system.
How long do CertainTeed Landmark shingles last?
Landmark shingles are designed to provide decades of service and carry a limited lifetime transferable warranty for qualifying residential installations. Actual service life depends on installation, ventilation, weather exposure, maintenance, roof design, and deck condition.
Can CertainTeed shingles be installed in cold weather?
Yes, but the roof must be dry and free of snow, frost, and ice. Shingles become less flexible in colder temperatures and must be stored, handled, fastened, and sealed in accordance with the manufacturer’s cold-weather instructions. ClimateFlex products are designed to remain more flexible in low temperatures.
Which CertainTeed shingles are Class 4?
Current Class 4 CertainTeed products include Landmark Premium, Landmark ClimateFlex, NorthGate ClimateFlex, Presidential Shake TL, Grand Manor, Carriage House, and Belmont. Product specifications can change, so homeowners should verify the current technical data before purchasing.
What is the difference between Landmark and Landmark PRO?
Both are dimensional asphalt shingles. Landmark PRO uses heavier construction, more pronounced color blending, Max Def colors, and longer algae-resistance coverage. Both currently carry Class 3 impact ratings and may qualify for upgraded wind coverage when installed with required accessories.
What is CertainTeed SureStart protection?
SureStart is the initial non-prorated portion of CertainTeed’s standard shingle warranty. For many lifetime products, they last 10 years and provide qualifying material and labor coverage for manufacturing defects according to the written warranty.
How much do CertainTeed shingles cost?
Cost depends on the product line, roof size, pitch, complexity, tear-off requirements, deck repairs, ventilation, accessories, and warranty level. Landmark is generally less expensive than Landmark PRO, ClimateFlex, Landmark Premium, and luxury products such as Presidential Shake.
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