Architectural shingles
Four shingles we actually install
Architectural shingles are the right answer for most Minnesota homes — they deliver the wind and impact ratings our climate demands, at an installed cost that makes sense for a 25–30 year product life. We curate four specific products, not every shingle a distributor carries.
Curation starts with weather performance: frost depth in the Princeton area reaches 42–60 inches, hail season runs May through September, and lake-country sites around Mille Lacs Lake and the Whitefish Chain see real wind exposure. A shingle that is not rated for that environment is not on our list. After performance, we look at manufacturer warranty support, color selection breadth, and consistent supplier availability through our regional network.
The four products below cover best-value through impact-resistant-upgrade. Each has a direct link to the manufacturer's product page so you can verify specs before you call.
The lineup
Four architectural shingles — best value to impact-resistant upgrade
Ordered by price tier. Each links to a full detail page with specifications, FAQ, and official manufacturer resources.
CertainTeed Landmark
CertainTeed
Best entry into architectural shingles when budget matters but you still want a name with a long track record.
- Lifespan
- 22–30 years
- Warranty
- 50-year warranty
GAF Timberline HDZ
GAF
Best for homeowners who want a proven architectural shingle with strong wind and impact ratings that has held up thro…
- Lifespan
- 25–30 years
- Warranty
- 50-year warranty
Owens Corning Duration
Owens Corning
Best for homeowners who want a balanced architectural shingle from one of the most-installed lines in North America.
- Lifespan
- 25–30 years
- Warranty
- 50-year warranty
Malarkey Vista
Malarkey
Best for homeowners in hail-prone parts of central Minnesota who want SBS-modified asphalt for added impact resilience.
- Lifespan
- 25–30 years
- Warranty
- 40-year warranty
Decision pathways
Which of the four is right for your situation?
Each blurb is a starting point — not a prescription. The estimate visit is where we confirm.
Best entry-level value
CertainTeed Landmark
For homeowners replacing a roof on a budget — a secondary cabin, a property being prepared for sale, or a standard suburban home where the priority is a credentialed product at the best attainable price. CertainTeed Landmark steps up from three-tab shingles without reaching for the mid-range price point. Dual-layer construction, SureStart Plus adhesive, and a 50-year limited warranty cover the performance basics.
Best mid-range balance
GAF Timberline HDZ
The shingle we install most often on north-central Minnesota homes. GAF Timberline HDZ carries a 130 mph wind rating and Class 3 impact resistance — the two specs that matter most for lake-country and open-farmland sites in our region. LayerLock adhesive improves the wind uplift bond that holds through freeze-thaw cycling. A practical choice when performance and price need to land in the same place.
Best mid-range with SureNail technology
Owens Corning Duration
Owens Corning Duration sits in the same mid-range tier as GAF Timberline HDZ — 130 mph wind rating, Class 3 impact resistance, comparable installed pricing. The distinguishing feature is SureNail's woven reinforcement strip in the nailing zone, which provides a wider, more mechanically reliable nail attachment. For homeowners who want a second credible mid-range option with a well-known manufacturer, Duration is a consistent specification.
Best for hail-prone properties
Malarkey Vista
Malarkey Vista is the option we discuss when a property sits in a documented hail zone — the storm corridor through Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Crow Wing counties sees meaningful hail activity most summers. The SBS-polymer-modified asphalt construction adds low-temperature flexibility and absorbs hail energy differently than standard asphalt. For homeowners weighing whether the Class 4 upgrade cost makes sense, Vista is the middle conversation.
Go deeper
More resources for shingle decisions
Available through our supply network. Final color, product, and accessory confirmation happens at the proposal stage — branch availability varies.
Ready to narrow it down?
We start with your roof, your site exposure, and your budget — then we tell you which of the four actually makes sense. Written estimate before any work starts.