Question 1

How is this comparison different from a manufacturer's marketing page?

Accepted Answer

Manufacturer pages present one product at a time and naturally lead with that product's strengths. This page presents all four shingles we actually install with the same set of attributes — price tier, wind rating, impact resistance, warranty, and best-fit homeowner — so the differences are visible in one place. We have no financial arrangement with any of the four manufacturers; the comparison reflects what we see in real installations across north-central Minnesota.

Question 2

Why aren't exact prices listed in the table?

Accepted Answer

Installed shingle pricing depends on your roof's square footage, pitch, number of penetrations, tear-off complexity, and material availability at our regional supply branches on the week we schedule the job. A 1,800-square-foot 4/12 gable roof and a 1,800-square-foot 10/12 complex hip are the same material quantity but different labor hours. We list price bands (best-value, mid-range, impact-resistant-upgrade) because those positions are stable even when dollar figures shift. Written estimates are always free.

Question 3

What if I want to compare two specific shingles instead of all four?

Accepted Answer

The decision guide at /materials/best-roof-shingle-for-your-home/ walks through six scenarios and names the shingle that fits each one. If you already know your two finalists — say, GAF Timberline HDZ versus Owens Corning Duration — pull up their individual detail pages side by side. Both are mid-range architectural shingles at the same price band and similar spec; the main distinction is nail-strip design and manufacturer preference.

Question 4

Are these the only shingles you will quote?

Accepted Answer

These four are the architectural shingle products we stock, train for, and recommend by default. We also install cedar shake, standing seam metal, and natural slate — those are specialty materials available on request with longer lead times. If a homeowner comes in with a specific manufacturer's shingle in mind that falls outside the four, we discuss it at the estimate visit; availability through our supply network is the gating factor.

Question 5

How does Silver Loon handle a tied decision between two shingles?

Accepted Answer

We ask two questions: which product is confirmed available from our supply branches the week we schedule your job, and which manufacturer warranty terms align better with how long you plan to own the home. In most tied cases those two filters produce a clear answer. If both are available and warranty terms are equivalent, we default to the shingle with the higher wind rating for your specific site — lake-country and open-farmland sites carry more exposure than sheltered suburban lots.

Attribute	CertainTeed Landmark	GAF Timberline HDZ	Owens Corning Duration	Malarkey Vista
Positioning	Best Value	Mid-Range Architectural	Mid-Range Architectural	Impact-Resistant Upgrade
Manufacturer	CertainTeed	GAF	Owens Corning	Malarkey
Best-fit homeowner	Best entry into architectural shingles when budget matters but you still want a name with a long track record.	Best for homeowners who want a proven architectural shingle with strong wind and impact ratings that has held up through decades of Minnesota winters.	Best for homeowners who want a balanced architectural shingle from one of the most-installed lines in North America.	Best for homeowners in hail-prone parts of central Minnesota who want SBS-modified asphalt for added impact resilience.
Wind rating	110 mph	130 mph	130 mph	110 mph
Impact rating	—	Class 3	Class 3	Class 3
Warranty	50 years	50 years	50 years	40 years
Minnesota fit	Landmark's SureStart Plus adhesive and dual-layer construction perform well through Minnesota's freeze-thaw cycles when installed with adequate ice-and-water shield at the eave. The 110 mph wind rating covers most suburban and sheltered rural sites; homeowners on open lake-country lots should discuss exposure with us at the estimate.	LayerLock adhesive strips and the 130 mph wind rating handle both ice-dam season and the wind exposure common around Mille Lacs Lake and open central Minnesota farmland. Class 3 impact resistance covers the hail events typical of our storm corridor.	SureNail technology and the 130 mph wind rating hold up through the wind events common on open central Minnesota sites and around Mille Lacs Lake. Class 3 impact resistance handles the hail frequency typical of our storm corridor without the premium cost of a Class 4 upgrade.	SBS-polymer-modified asphalt handles Minnesota's temperature extremes better than standard asphalt — the rubber-like polymer keeps the shingle more flexible at the –20°F temperatures common in our region and reduces thermal-stress cracking through decades of freeze-thaw cycling. Class 3 impact resistance addresses the hail events typical along central Minnesota's storm corridor.
Official docs	View product	View product	View product	View product

Compare our four architectural shingles

At a glance

CertainTeed Landmark

GAF Timberline HDZ

Owens Corning Duration

Malarkey Vista

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