GAF is known to practically everyone who has thought about installing asphalt shingles. This is not without reason – after all, we are talking about a huge company, which is also the largest producer of this material. In this article, we’ll take a look not only at the history of the GAF brand, but also at its most famous model lines. Get to it!
How Did it Get Started?
GAF Materials Corporation is a company that originated in New Jersey. Uninterrupted since 1886, it has been producing roofing materials, and over that time, it has introduced many innovations. The milestone that made GAF popular was the implementation of rolled sheets of asphalt shingles, which, very significantly, are still used today. In the 1960s, the roofing giant unveiled the first ever laminated shingles in the Timberline series, which is even in production in 2024.
GAF’s history is rife with name changes, mergers and acquisitions. We are a roofing company, not a team of historians, so we won’t spend too much time describing it. However, it is worth noting that it is thanks to an expansive policy that GAF Materials Corporation has managed to dominate the US market and become a reputable brand abroad as well.
GAF Roofing Shingles – The Product That Revolutionized Roofing
If you follow our blog, you probably already know why asphalt shingles are so popular in the United States. Although GAF is not responsible for their invention, its influence on the development of this technology is hard to deny. It was the company that first introduced a lifetime warranty for this type of roofing.
Asphalt shingles seem to be a very sensible choice – they are inexpensive, resistant to strong winds, the palette of available designs and colors is wide, and they are installed at an express pace. This set of features, for obvious reasons, makes homeowners eager to opt for them, and the New Jersey-based giant was eager to take advantage of the situation. Offering 3 series of products, GAF reaches both wealthy customers looking for uncompromising quality and those with more limited resources who are looking for an efficient solution to their problem.
The Timberline series, a mainstay of GAF’s offering, is extremely popular for good reason. The manufacturer regularly introduces a number of cutting-edge solutions, such as LayerLock Technology, which involves the use of larger nailing surfaces (which reduces the risk of leaks) and special seals, which also protect against moisture penetration into the house. In the long list of technologies used, you’ll also find StainGuard Plus Algae Protection, which aims to protect against roof overgrowth. Homeowners living in wetter areas, such as the Lake Michigan shoreline, should enjoy this solution.
It is because of the good value for money that GAF shingles are widespread throughout the United States – you’ll find them in practically every part, which, on the one hand, is proof of the very high quality of these products, and on the other, makes it basically impossible to get a unique look. Of course, some configurations are very rare and finding a house covered with white shingles from the Timerbline HDZ series will be a challenge, but let’s not kid ourselves – uniqueness is not the strong point of roofs from GAF.
What Products Does GAF Offer?
GAF’s core products are asphalt shingles dedicated to residential roofing. However, the company’s offer is much richer and more complex than it may seem. Worth mentioning are:
Residential GAF Roofs
GAF offers three basic series of its roofing shingles:
- Timberline Roofing Shingles – the brand’s most popular product, a popular choice due to its fairly low price, huge color palette and wide availability. It is also the default choice for most homeowners;
- Designer Shingles – is a slightly more expensive product that is dedicated to more demanding customers. Natural, irregular shapes, a look that resembles natural materials such as slate tiles and cedar shakes and high quality workmanship can captivate;
- 3-TAB Shingles – is a rather simple model with a traditional design. Our customers choose this series when they want minimalism and elegance.
However, that’s not all. GAF Roofing Company offers leak barriers, insulation mats dedicated to installing rooftop terraces, ventilation system components, and even fiber cement siding and rooftop accessories. Hip and ridge caps are also available. The range of available products is very wide – with the help of GAF, you can finish virtually the entire roof and make cladding.
Commercial GAF Roofs
As a commercial roofing contractor from Wheeling, we also use GAF products in finishing large buildings such as factories, churches and schools. The manufacturer’s product range in this area is extremely wide – TPO, PVC as well as APP systems are available. Although finding cheaper roofing solutions will not be a problem, GAF products are well worth the price. Their technical specifications and very good warranty policy ensure that your roof will last for many years of use.
GAF Lifetime Warranty
GAF’s warranty policy is one of the most common reasons why our customers choose to buy asphalt shingles from this company. As you can guess, the terms of protection are really good. First of all, all Timberline and Designer shingles come with a lifetime basic warranty. Depending on the solutions you choose and the company that will take care of the roof replacement, the terms may vary – if you contract such a service with a company that has achieved GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor status and use 5 different accessory products, you will get a warranty that covers literally everything, including the installation and workmanship itself.
At the same time, it is worth noting that it is not worth it in every case to decide to use all the roof components from one manufacturer. Yes, you are rewarded with very comprehensive warranty protection and the associated mental comfort, but this comes at the expense of much higher initial costs that may never pay off. Don’t get us wrong – GAF roofs are long-lasting and their quality is very satisfying, but we often find that it is better to choose noticeably cheaper solutions that are only slightly less effective. For this reason, we install roofs consisting exclusively of components from one company quite rarely.
GAF 3-TAB Shingles Warranty
The situation is slightly different for GAF’s budget series of products, the 3-TAB shingles. Unlike the Timberline and Designer series, the warranty is not for life – the protection lasts for 25 years, and depending on the variant you choose, the Smart Choice Protection program applies from 5 to 20 years. In practice, this boils down to extra protection against any defects that arise during the production of your shingles.
Is it worth paying extra for a higher-end series of asphalt shingles just to get a better warranty? No, but you need to keep in mind that the Designer and Timberline series offer much more – better aesthetics, much greater resistance to wind and algae growth, and a richer range of available models and colors.
Is GAF Good Roofing Brand?
The simplest answer is “yes.” Asphalt shingles from GAF are popular, among other reasons, because in exchange for a reasonable price, they offer very good performance that in most cases will be completely sufficient. Even if a roof covered with GAF products won’t hold up as well as one made of slate, in most cases it won’t be a problem at all. It’s just a sensible choice that usually pays off.
Is GAF the best roofing brand in the world? Probably not, since no one keeps such rankings. There are certainly companies that produce cheaper asphalt shingles. There are also those whose products are more durable or can be more personalized. One thing is certain – it is GAF that is a legend in our industry and has fully earned the title of the largest manufacturer of asphalt shingles in the United States.
As a GAF roof installer from Chicagoland, we have already completed thousands of projects using the company’s products. So far, only a few homeowners have not been satisfied with the quality of the products used, which we think is a great indicator of what to go for. Are you planning to replace your roof? Be sure to ask us about the possibility of installing GAF asphalt shingles on your home. Satisfaction guaranteed!
