Why We Quote
GAF
GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, and their architectural shingles are on more American houses than anyone else's. For a homeowner that matters in a practical way: the product is everywhere, the supply is steady, and if something needs to be matched or sourced years from now, it is not a scavenger hunt.
We are GAF certified. That means GAF checked our license, our insurance and our record before putting us on their list. I want to be precise about that word, because this industry is sloppy with it. Certified means we met their requirements to install their product. It is not a tier, a rank, or a badge I am going to dress up into something bigger than it is.
The honest version, same as I tell everybody: the brand on the wrapper matters less than what goes under it. A GAF shingle over bad decking and old felt is still a bad roof. That is why every install we do includes the deck inspection, the underlayment and the ventilation work, in writing, before you sign anything.
A GAF Roof, Mid Install
These are from a GAF shingle replacement we ran on a two story home. I like this set because it shows the part nobody photographs: the middle of the job, when half the roof is new shingle and the other half is still open underlayment.
That exposed section is the whole argument for a full tear-off. Until the old material is off, nobody knows what the deck looks like. We do not install overlays, so on every shingle job we get to that layer and deal with what is actually there.
What Every Shingle Install Includes
- Full tear-off of existing material
- Deck inspection with damaged wood repaired or replaced
- Modern synthetic or peel and stick underlayment, never old-style felt
- New drip edge and flashings
- Ridge cap shingles, not rolled roofing
- Permit and city inspection
- Cleanup and magnet sweep
- Drone photo documentation of the finished roof
Frequently Asked Questions
GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America and their architectural shingles are a mainstream, well supported choice. I will say the same thing I say about every brand: it is a good shingle, and it will still fail early if the deck, the underlayment and the ventilation underneath it are wrong. Ask any roofer about those three before you ask about the brand.
Manufacturer coverage depends on the exact product, the components used, and registration, so I am not going to quote you a number on a web page and have it be wrong for your roof. What I can tell you flatly is our side: a 10 year GAX workmanship warranty in writing. Ask me for the manufacturer specifics at the estimate and I will show you the actual document, not a summary of it.
Honestly, for most homeowners the three are closer to each other than any salesman will admit. We are approved with all three, so I have no reason to push you toward one. I bring the sample boards to your kitchen table, you handle them, and we pick based on the color you actually want and the number that works. Where I will get opinionated is the system underneath, because that is where roofs are won or lost.