Every year, over 100,000 homes are reroofed, so choosing the right shingle is crucial for protecting most people’s greatest investment, their home. Homeowners want peace of mind knowing their roof is equipped with the best shingles available, to stand against the elements and also stand the test of time without fading, degranulating, and not allowing algae or mold to grow. We have done the research to make this decision easier for you, and among the top contenders, although GAF is a quality shingle, Atlas definitely leads in its advantages. Here we’ll review these shingles based on key categories such as durability, weather protection, algae/mold resistance, installation, and more to help you understand why we believe Atlas is the superior shingle for your home.
Who Is Atlas and GAF?
Atlas Roofing Corporation is an extremely innovative, customer-oriented manufacturer of residential and commercial building materials, especially asphalt roofing shingles. Atlas has grown from a single shingle-manufacturing plant into an industry leader with 24 facilities across North America. Founded in 1982, Atlas has become a renown name in the roofing industry and in only 40 years has been repeatedly recognized by industry experts as one of the best shingles in the market. Atlas is a privately held organization with its Corporate Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. GAF (General Aniline & Film), a Standard Industries company, is North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer. Founded in 1886, GAF has been in the business for over 130 years and has built a reputation as a top contender as a shingle manufacturer. Headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, GAF currently employs over 4,000 employees nationwide and has 35 manufacturing operations across 27 locations in the U.S. Although GAF leads the industry in shingle production output, we feel they do not put the best effort into making the highest quality shingles when compared to ATLAS. It is commonly known in the industry that “GAF is a marketing company that just so happens to sell shingles, and ATLAS is a shingle manufacturing company that just so happens to do a little bit of marketing.”
Who has the best durability, Atlas or GAF?
Durability can be based on multiple factors that need to be considered for long term ownership such as: fade, degranulation, impact/class rating, and algae resistance. When comparing shingles based on fade it is important to note that every shingle available on the market will fade over time. This is a natural life cycle characteristic of a shingle, but the degree of fade will vary based on the tier of shingle chosen, as every manufacturer offers various levels of tiers. Because of the technology built into Atlas, which we will examine it will look artistically better over its lifecycle then that of the market competition. This is due to its algae resistance, and its top tier line offering ThermalCore technology managing degranulation.
Atlas vs. GAF: Who Performs the best Regarding Shingle Fade and Degranulation?
Fade is a natural part of a shingle’s lifecycle as all shingles will weather and fade as the years go by. Although this is true, different tiers of shingles boast longer lifetimes the higher the tier within that manufacturer’s shingle line. Most economically, Atlas offers more tiers of shingles based on desired outcomes of homeowners. For instance, their Pinnacle Sun line has UV resistant granules to help minimize energy costs by as much as 15%. Their Pinnacle StormMaster Shake line offers a Class-4 impact-resistant shingle with its Core4 Technology. There are a lot of shingles that have either class 3 hail ratings, or class 4 hail ratings so this isn’t really a huge differentiator for any manufacturer these days, although it can help lessen your homeowners insurance depending on the carrier. With the StormMaster Shake line, you are able to get a shingle that has the ability to stand against Algae as well as degranulation, meaning the granules will stay attached to the shingle for a longer period of time due to their ThermalCore technology. StormMaster Shake by Atlas is built to mitigate the negative effect of expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, and therefore these shingles have enhanced granule adhesion. Shingle granules play a critical role in protecting your roof, and as the granules fall off that shingle, it starts to approach the end of its lifespan. Atlas’s StormMaster Shake line has shown to have 69% better granule adhesion over its lifecycle when compared to other standard asphalt shingles. GAF’s Timberline HDZ and Timberline UHDZ have been tested and shown to lose granules when exposed to climates that see a lot of temperature fluctuation such as the climate here in Charleston. When shingles expand and contract, they naturally lose granules, and over time approach the end of their life cycle sooner than typically promised. (Ventilation also plays an extremely important role in the life of shingles in regards to their granule adhesion. If the attic is not optimally or properly ventilated, the shingles will not only bake from their top UV side, but also from underneath heat due to elevated attic temperatures.)
Which Is The Best Shingle For Algae Defense?
The next key reason a homeowner would want to choose Atlas for their Shingle is due to the fact that Atlas has a lifetime warranty against Algae, along with the industry’s leading amount of copper granules embedded into their Shingle. Atlas has a relationship with 3M, and gives them the ability to utilize Scotchgard in manufacturing of their shingles. The only way they can use the Scotchgard name is by maintaining that at least 10% copper granules are embedded into all the lines that use the Scotchgard name. This is why they have the best Algae defense in the market today, as with this high amount of copper being used the Algae isn’t given an environment to grow. Algae is actually what shows up as the black streaking on many roofs, and can lead not only to an eye sore but also the algae can eat at the shingles and cause them to fail prematurely. All but one of Atlas lines have this Algae defense, making it a no-brainer for any homeowner looking forward to the aesthetic value for years to come. Lastly, with the StormMaster Shake line the shingles boast a life expectancy of up to 40 years, while GAF top tier Timberline UHDZ has a life expectancy of only 15 to 25 years. Meaning that in a normal person’s lifetime if they roofed with StormMaster Shake, they would only require 2 reroofs in their entire lifetime, whereas a GAF shingles would need to be reroofed up to 4 times. Once you start to dig into the advantages, there is no debate that Atlas is by far the superior Shingle. Here is a great article about how algae affects your roof:MyCoastalWindows.
How does Installation and The Size of Shingle Impact The Homeowner?
Shingle size may not be something homeowners typically consider, but it can significantly benefit them in the long run. During the installation process, size matters! Atlas measures at 42 inches while GAF measures at 39 inches. Size is important because the bigger the shingle the more space it can cover on your roof, less shingles equals less nails. Let’s break it down. At an industry leading 42-inches wide, Atlas shingles require on average 8 fewer shingles per square (1 square = 100 square feet). Many coastal state building codes require 6 nails per shingle, so this means that an Atlas roof requires 48 fewer nails per square. If your home has a roof size of 30 squares (3,000 square feet), that’s 1,440 fewer nail penetrations on your roof deck! This is significant because nailheads are an easy way for water to get into the roof system, and often one of the most common causes of roof leaks. The fewer nail penetrations help create a stronger, healthier roof over the long term.
The “common bond” area of a shingle, also known as the nailing zone, plays a crucial role in ensuring long-term performance. A larger common bond area reduces the likelihood of issues like shingles sliding out or exposed nail heads, leading to fewer problems down the road. The bigger the common bond area, the more secure the shingles are. The common bond area includes the area where the two layers of the shingle overlap. The proper nailing area is identified in the shingle installation instructions, and is vital for the long term health of the roofing system. The “common bond” nailing area must be targeted correctly in order to obtain the proper wind performance as advertised by the shingle manufacturer. Properly placed nails go through the two layers of shingles, penetrating through the previous shingle course underneath attaching them securely to the roof deck. Nails placed outside the common bond area can void the roof’s warranty and prevent asphalt shingles from performing as intended during extreme weather. Nailing too high (outside the common bond area) can cause shingle “slide-outs”. Nailing too low creates exposed nail heads, leading to “shiners” causing rusting of nail heads and potential water damage.
One of the superior features of Atlas shingles is their precisely designed 1.5” nailing zone, which perfectly overlaps the common bond area. As you can see with Atlas, the nail zone perfectly overlaps with the common bond area, allowing the nail to penetrate the double layer of shingle. In contrast, GAF’s nail zone is a whopping 2 inches wide, giving contractors a broad area to nail the shingle. However, the key issue is that the common bond and nail zone only align for ½ an inch. This narrow overlap makes it challenging for installers to properly fasten the shingles, which can lead to issues over time. The first picture will show you where GAF intends for you to nail, while the second picture will be of a GAF shingle that was used on a roof.
As you can see, the nail zone on GAF shingles overlaps the common bond area by only about ½ an inch. This often results in shingles being installed outside the common bond area, which can weaken both the shingle and the roof overall. In contrast, Atlas’s HP42 design simplifies proper installation. While competitors may boast about large nailing zones, these zones often fail to align perfectly with the common bond area. Atlas shingles, however, feature a double fast-acting sealant that reacts uniquely when exposed to sunlight, ensuring each shingle is securely installed. This meticulous design results in fewer long-term issues for homeowners, providing a more reliable and durable roofing solution. Here is a great article along with a video on how to properly install a shingle: Restoration Roofing
Which Shingle gives you the Best Warranty? Atlas or GAF?
When you’re taking on a significant home project like getting a new roof, a good warranty helps homeowners have peace of mind. Atlas and GAF offer comprehensive warranties, but they are not the same. Let’s break it down so you can choose the best option for you and your home. A Lifetime Warranty is a warranty that covers any manufacturer’s product defect across the lifetime of your roof. It ensures that the manufacturer is responsible for any defect that adversely affects the shingle, providing homeowners with assurance that their investment is protected. Both Atlas and GAF offer a lifetime warranty. It is vital to go with a contractor that is a certified Installer. It’s essential to know that 90% of roofing issues are caused by poor installation. Ensure you hire a contractor certified to install the shingles you choose, that way the install process goes smooth and without issue.
Another critical warranty to consider is a workmanship warranty, which states that if the contractor makes a mistake, they are responsible for correcting it, usually at no cost to the homeowner. This ensures that the contractor will stand behind their work for a lifetime, ensuring that the craftsmanship is top quality. It is very important to choose a contractor who offers a workmanship warranty. Wind Resistance can be a bit of a gimmick for any manufacturer’s warranty as they all have very similar exclusions, that no company often highlights to a homeowner. Often manufacturers exclude any falling debris, and once 60mph winds pick up that is when you will see debris impacting roofs and causing damage, thus negating any claim a homeowner thinks they can make with the manufacturer. Many areas experience harsh storms with winds exceeding 60mph miles per hour. Here’s what Atlas and GAF offer; Atlas is 150 mph (15 years), and GAF’s is 130 mph (15 years).
We examined precisely why Atlas has a superior algae resistant shingle, and this is important because Algae on your roof can prematurely break down shingles, leading to leaks and health issues due to mold growth. Here’s how the warranties compare from a time perspective. Atlas has a lifetime algae warranty, while GAF has a 30-year prorated warranty which only covers the washing of the roof, not a full replacement to which all is prorated from the date of purchase. Atlas will pay for a full replacement including labor, which makes them put their money where their mouth is regarding their claim that algae growth won’t happen with their shingles. Lastly, we will look at the transferability of the warranties from GAF and Atlas. A transferable warranty can be a great selling point if you put your home on the market. It helps protect both you and the next homeowner if there was ever a warranty claim that needed to be filed, adding value to your property. Both Atlas and GAF’s warranty are transferable. Both Atlas and GAF offer great warranties, but Atlas emerges as the winner here. The superior wind and algae resistance provided by Atlas gives it the edge. While both options perform well in moderate climates, if you live near the coast, where powerful storms and hot summers are common, Atlas will offer the best protection for your home. Here are links to both warranties Atlas and GAF.
Which Shingle gives you the most Options? Atlas or GAF?
Shingles are among the most recognizable features of your home, so it’s no surprise that homeowners want shingles that complement their home. Both Atlas and GAF excel in this area, offering a wide variety of shingle styles and colors to choose from, so that isn’t really an advantage for any manufacturer. One cool aspect that most companies offer is that they provide an online tool where you can upload a picture of your house and digitally design a new roof. This allows you to experiment with different colors and shingle designs, giving you a sneak peek of your future home. Here are links to their design pages – Atlas and GAF.
The reality is that Atlas offers more options from a tier perspective, and has more advantages to capture for a homeowner. Atlas has something for every homeowner! Say you want an entry level dimensional shingle that has a 130 mph wind rating that will perform great and wont break the bank you can look at their Pinnacle Pristine line. Maybe a homeowner wants a shingle that will save money on energy costs so they can look at their Pinnacle Sun line. It’s possible a homeowner wants a Class 4 hail rated shingle as they worry about hail storms, looking to capture the deterrent against algae as well as a 130 mph wind rating they can look at Atlas’s Pinnacle Impact Line. Suppose a homeowner wants all the benefits of the best shingle on the market today that is capable of a 40 year lifecycle along with every benefit Atlas has to offer they can look to the StormMaster Shake line, Atlas truly offers the most options for any homeowner looking for value over all else. Below gives a visual breakdown of all the Atlas tiers and their advantages. GAF unfortunately only offers two tiers of dimensional shingles, the Timberline HDZ and Timberline UHDZ lines, and as you can see Atlas offers double the amount of options along with a lot more benefits to a homeowner.
Conclusion
Atlas is the clear victor here, and we are not the only ones who think so. At the Roofing Insights 2024 Roofing Guide, the industry’s top shingles were tested and graded, with Atlas coming in first place among all shingles in the market. When pitted against all the other shingles, not just GAF, both homeowners and contractors see greater value in Atlas for roofing projects. Its superior wind and algae resistance, coupled with a comprehensive warranty, make Atlas the preferred choice for those seeking durability, protection, and peace of mind. In summary, if you’re looking for the best shingle for your roof, Atlas stands out as the winner. Here is a link to Roofing Insights article and a video on their 2024 Shingle Guide: Roofing Insights and Best Shingle Guide.
