6 Best Roof Shingles in 2023 — Reviews & Top Picks

Most people won’t think about what kind of shingles are on their roof until it is time to have the roof repaired or replaced. Suddenly, there are dozens of options for shingles to choose from. Each shingle has different colors, styles, warranties, and protections. The number of choices can be overwhelming, and no one wants to make a bad decision for something as important as their roof.

This list goes over six of the best options for shingles available today. Our picks cover various different styles, brands, and options to choose from that are all highly rated. Each of these shingles has been positively reviewed by professionals and homeowners alike, so you know you are getting a quality product. In the end, we provide a buyer’s guide with some helpful hints and things to consider when making a final choice for shingles, so you have as much information as possible before settling on a single option.

A Quick Comparison of Our Winners (2023)

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		GAF Timberline Shingles	Affordable Great features Good warranty	CHECK PRICE
Best Architectural		Owens Corning TruDefinition	Best looking shingles Lots of color options Anti-algae coating standard	CHECK PRICE
Best 3-Tab		GAF Royal Sovereign	Affordable Meets most code out of the box Good warranty	CHECK PRICE
Best Warranty		Atlas Pinnacle Pristine	Great warranty Attractive architectural shingles Affordable	CHECK PRICE
Most Durable		Atlas StormMaster	Top rated in hail protection Wind mitigation up to 150 mph A unique blend of materials	CHECK PRICE

The 6 Best Roof Shingles

1. GAF Timberline Shingles — Best Overall

GAF Timberline shingles are some of the best on the market due to a combination of value, performance, and features. GAF Timberline shingles are architectural, which means that they have more volume to their appearance than typical 3-tab shingles without the high price that some brands charge. GAF Timberline shingles also have the best fire rating available, which helps protect your roof in the event of the unthinkable. In addition to all of that, GAF also provides a limited lifetime transferable warranty as well as a unique nailing strip that gives Timberline a 99.9% accuracy rating during installation.

There are a few downsides to Timberline shingles other than some minor issues with the warranty. Roofing warranties are very particular about who and how a roof gets installed. GAF has some stipulations about the qualifications of the contractors that install their shingles. Not following the warranty to the letter could lead to decreased warranty coverage. Otherwise, these shingles are a near-perfect blend of affordability, features, and performance which make them some of the best-selling and best-reviewed roofing products on the market today.

2. Owens Corning TruDefinition — Best Architectural

Owens Corning TruDefinition shingles are great architectural products that aim to give homeowners the best-looking roof possible. TruDefinition shingles use proprietary color technology to offer the richest and most vibrant colors possible. These excellent color options really make the volume of the architectural shingles pop, providing a great aesthetic that is unrivaled. If you are looking for a roof with a lot of texture and character, you will want to give TruDefinition a serious look.

These shingles also come with a warranty that covers winds up to 130 mph, which will be more than enough for the vast majority of markets. Owens Corning also treats their TruDefinition shingles with a special anti-algae coating which keeps your roof free from grime and mildew and further protects the excellent appearance of their product.

The biggest downside to TruDefinition shingles is that they are more expensive than some other similar brands. If you are stuck on a tight budget, these shingles might not be the most affordable option available to you.

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3. GAF Royal Sovereign — Best 3-Tab

GAF Royal Sovereign shingles are standard 3-tab shingles at their best. 3-tab shingles are the most common and affordable type of asphalt shingles available on the market. GAF claims that there have been over 10 billion individual Royal Sovereign shingles installed in the United States alone. These shingles are easy to obtain, easy to install, and come with a 25-year warranty. There are plenty of color options to choose from, and they are affordably priced. GAF has designed these shingles with special micro-weave technology that reduces common problems such as splitting, cracking, and fading that other 3-tab shingles suffer from.

The biggest downside to GAF Royal Sovereign shingles is that they are so common. These shingles are not going to stand out, and they aren’t going to add much in the way of unique curb appeal like some other shingles can. If you are looking for something unique or shingles with more volume than typical 3-tab shingles, Royal Sovereign is not going to appeal to you.

4. Atlas Pinnacle Pristine — Best Warranty

Getting a roof replaced can be a huge financial burden for average homeowners. It is no surprise then that some people value warranties very highly when choosing a type of shingle for their home. People want to know that their investment is going to be protected. If you are someone who wants to get the best warranty, then you want to look at Atlas Pinnacle Pristine shingles. These architectural shingles have one of the strongest warranties on the market while still being attractive, high-performance shingles.

Atlas offers a lifetime limited warranty, a 10-year non-prorated protection period, a 15-year wind warranty period, and a lifetime Scotchgard warranty. All of that adds up to a serious warranty that beats out most competitors. Pinnacle Pristine shingles are rated to withstand winds up to 130 mph and are protected against streaks, algae and fading.

However, despite the strong warranty protection, there are a couple of downsides. First, to get the maximum warranty protection, the shingles must be installed by certified Atlas Pro Plus contractors. Not many contractors will carry this special certification offered by Atlas, which might leave you hanging in terms of the full warranty protection. Secondly, there are reviews that point out that Atlas shingles do not seal and cure properly in cold and cloudy weather. Atlas suggests installing your shingles in the summer rather than the winter, which might not work for everyone.

5. Atlas StormMaster — Most Durable

If you are looking for shingles that will be able to hold up under harsh weather conditions, you are going to want to look at StormMaster shingles by Atlas. These shingles are made from extremely tough fiberglass that is mixed with ceramic, granules, and asphalt to create a strong impact-resistant shingle system. StormMaster is the number one rated shingle when it comes to hail protection, and they stood up to 150 mph winds during testing. The result is a product that is much stronger than typical asphalt shingles. The additional strength provided by these shingles can potentially get homeowners discounts on their home insurance as well.

StormMaster shingles are not extremely common, and they are often a special order product which can sometimes raise costs and lead times for a job. StormMaster also requires specialized roofing contractors to install them in order to get Atlas’s best available warranty. These factors can sometimes put off potential buyers. However, if you don’t mind waiting a little longer to receive your product, these are some of the toughest shingles available on the market right now.

6. AMAKE Western Red Cedar Shingles — Best Wood Shake

Not every home is right for asphalt shingles. There are some houses that need traditional wooden shingles. These AMAKE Western Red Cedar Shingles are some of the best wood shakes available on the market today. They are sold in easy-to-haul bundles and are made from the best quality western red cedar. Cedar shingles are required in some niche oceanside markets. They also are used in historic homes and renovations that must stay true to an old style of building.

Cedar shingles can withstand winds approaching 200 mph, they do not rot, they are bug resistant, and they can withstand years of direct sunlight. Anyone who is skeptical about modern asphalt shingles will feel at home choosing to get traditional wood shingles instead.

Despite the numerous benefits of wood shingles, there are some serious downsides as well. First, wood shingles are much more expensive than asphalt shingles. Second, they are not as common as asphalt, so not all contractors are qualified or comfortable installing them, so you might need to look for a specialized contractor to buy and install wood shingles. Lastly, there are no color options like you get with asphalt shingles. You can’t buy green cedar shingles. Cedar also turns grey over time as the wood weathers.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Roof Shingles

Different Types of Shingles

This list primarily focuses on traditional asphalt shingles, but there are other types of shingles on the market that have specific uses. There are six different types of shingles available on the market. The six main types of shingles are asphalt, slate, clay, composite, metal, and wood. The vast majority of houses will require basic asphalt shingles for the roof, but there are markets where other types of shingles are viable. For example, some oceanfront homes are best suited for wood shingles. Some historic homes might require slate shingles to meet certain building codes.

Asphalt shingles are the most widely available and the most affordable. Some types of shingles like wood or composite can be two or three times more expensive than typical asphalt shingles. When making a final decision, it is good to know what other options are available, but they won’t be the best choice for every home.

The Best Way To Buy Shingles

The best way to buy shingles is to go through a certified roofing contractor. Contractors often know the local building supply yards better than homeowners, and they can buy shingles in bulk and get special discounts that are not available to individual people. Trying to buy shingles on your own will often cost more money than going through a contractor.

That being said, you can absolutely tell your contractor exactly what type of shingles you want them to buy for you, but the best way to get shingles is through a professional. Shingles also require a lot of extras like nails, starter strips, underlayment, and adhesive that homeowners might not be familiar with but that contractors are familiar with.

Consider Local Brands

All of the shingles on this list are from major brands with mass appeal and availability. However, there are some shingle companies that exist in small markets that don’t exist anywhere else. If your contractor recommends a small local brand, don’t automatically disqualify them. There are good shingle companies that are not available everywhere, such as Malarkey and CertainTeed. Some states like Florida and California have stricter building codes than other states, which makes it so some brands can’t sell in those markets. Doing research on local brands can help build a better comparison than only considering large national brands.

Always Know The Building Codes

If you are going to buy your shingles yourself, it is imperative that you know your local building codes beforehand. Roofs are subject to some of the strictest residential codes and enforcement. There are rules governing how many nails each shingle must have, how much reveal a shingle can have, what kind of backer and adhesive a shingle can use, and more. All of these rules differ from state to state and sometimes from county to county. You do not want to put a roof on or even do a repair job and have it slapped down by the local code enforcement office. A mistake could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Do not buy any shingles, especially in bulk, before you know that they meet all codes and regulations for your area.

Conclusion

All of these shingles are fantastic options for any roofing project, but this list is in no way exhaustive. Before making a choice, be sure to consult with your roofer, check the local codes and look for local options that might not be available everywhere. It is good to have as much information as possible before settling on a shingle system that will be the best for your individual home.

See also: Architectural Shingles vs. 3-Tab Shingles — Pros, Cons, and Verdict

Featured Image Credit: paulbr75, Pixabay