Top 5 Brands of Asphalt Roof Shingles Installed in Ontario (Canada)

At Real Blue Roofing, we have a unique insight into shingle brands in Ontario that homeowners do not. Our team works extensively with customers on roof replacement and repairs, offering our services since 2018.

Shingles have a lifespan of 25 – 30 years, but existing roof shingles made with organic felt may last just 12 – 18 years.

Even today’s worst shingle brands have products that last two to three decades and offer extensive warranties. We’re going to outline the top brands that we’ve installed in Ontario and two brands that we choose most often because of their quality and affordability.

 

Top 5 Shingle Brands Installed in Ontario

1. Owens Corning

Ownes Corning Fiberglass Corporation tops our list of best shingle brands, and it’s the brand we trust most for our customers. The company was founded in 1938 after a merger between Owens-Illinois and Corning Glass Works.

Since the 1960s, the global leader in asphalt roofing shingles has offered roofing materials.

The Fortune 500 company now:

  • Operates in 33 countries
  • Employees 19,000 people
  • Happily maintains its position as a Fortune 500 company for 67 consecutive years

Shingle Lines

“TruDefinition Duration” is Owens Corning’s main line of architectural shingles. Bold and designed to offer homes curb appeal and maximum protection, this line of shingles offers homeowners:

  • Algae Resistance: Unsightly black streaks leave even newer roofs looking tattered and worn. Owens Corning® StreakGuard® Algae Resistance Protection resists algae growth to keep your shingles looking their best for decades to come.
  • Class 3 Impact Resistance Rating: Proprietary technologies allow Owens to offer Class 3 protection to your roof, offering higher resistance to hail or other failing debris, which reduces the risk of the shingles cracking.
  • Surenail Technology: The Surenail technology incorporates a special fabric strip that contractors (like us) use to secure the shingles to your roof. Triple layer protection and an outstanding grip offer maximum protection for your roof, even in high-wind environments.

Our team prefers Owens Corning because the shingles come backed by a long warranty (more on that below), can withstand winds of up to 130 MPH/209 KMH, and are easy to install.

Warranty

Owens Corning offers a limited lifetime warranty with a 10-year TRU PROtection® Period, 15-year blow-off coverage and 25-year algae resistance. Materials coverage is after 10 years, and you can choose from multiple extended coverage options. 

Please visit www.owenscorning.ca for more information on the company and its other two shingle lines in Canada: “TruDefinition Duration Designer” and “Oakridge” shingles

2. CertainTeed

CertainTeed was formerly known as the General Roofing Manufacturing Company when it was founded in 1904. The company and its affiliates are now one of the leading shingle brands in Ontario, with 60 manufacturing facilities in Canada and the U.S. 

The company employs 6,300 people and started offering individually cut asphalt shingles in 1912.

Shingle Lines

CertainTeed offers 300+ roofing options in its collection and 16 asphalt shingle options:

  • Landmark®
  • Landmark® Pro
  • Northgate® ClimateFlex®
  • Belmont®
  • Belmont® IR
  • Grand Manor®
  • Carriage House®
  • Presidential Shake®
  • Presidential Shake® IR
  • Presidential Shake® TL
  • Landmark® Solaris
  • Landmark® TL
  • Landmark® Premium
  • Highland Slate®
  • XT™ 25
  • Shadow Ridge®

Within the company’s vast product line, you’ll find shake and slate designs, various wind resistance ratings and even fire resistance. For example, the XT™ 25 offers a 10-year algae growth warranty and is fire-resistant, but the shingles do not perform well above 60 MPH/96KMH.

You’ll find products that are impact-resistant in the lineup, too.

If you need shingles replaced or are replacing an entire roof, we’ll be more than happy to discuss the shingle options that will work best for your home.

Warranty

CertainTeed offers “worry-free” warranties that vary based on the series of shingles that you purchase. If you hire a CertainTeed-credentialed contractor, you may have a 25-year workmanship extended warranty.

Manufacturer warranties on shingles range from 20 years to a lifetime (limited), but you’ll want to analyze all stipulations in the warranty to better understand your coverage options.

Please visit https://www.certainteed.com/ for more information.

3.  GAF

GAF was founded in 1886 as the Standard Paint Company and introduced its first asphalt roofing product in 1892. In 1967, the company rebranded to GAF after merging with General Aniline & Film and offering the world’s first laminated shingle.

Fast-forward to today and after many mergers, and the company employs 4,000+ people and is known for its quality products. 

Shingle Lines

GAF has several shingle lines:

  • Timberline® (HDZ, UHDZ, NS and AS II)
  • Camelot® II
  • Slateline®
  • Grand Sequoia® (Standard and AS)

Some models offer Class 4 Impact resistance and are backed by GAF’s Algae Protection Limited Warranty.

Warranty

GAF offers a lifetime warranty on their shingles. Wind warranties last 15 years and for winds up to 209 km/h with special installation. Algae warranty terms can range from 10-30 years, depending on which level of StainGuard Plus algae protection you choose.

Please visit https://www.gaf.ca for more information.

4. IKO

Founded in 1951, IKO is one of the leading shingle brands in Ontario. The company started with the manufacturing of building paper and quickly expanded to coated roll roofing. Today, IKO is a global manufacturer or roofing products and one of the largest exporters of asphalt shingles in the world.

The company also offers insulation and waterproofing products in North America and Europe.

Shingle Lines

IKO offers three primary shingle lines:

Architectural – Cambridge 

The Cambridge shingle model features straight cuts to create deep shadow bands for an eye-catching look. IKO also offers these shingles in their “Advantage” size, which is larger than average and allows for a quicker installation process.

Cambridge architectural shingles offer built-in algae resistance, blow-off protection and FastLock sealant strips to offer maximum protection against wind uplift and water penetration.

Several colour options are available to complement virtually any home exterior. 

Traditional 3-Tab – Marathon Plus AR

IKO’s Marathon Plus AR shingle model has a weather-resistant design that’s based on a fibreglass mat. These shingles feature IKO’s FastLock sealant strips, which become extra-tacky when exposed to the sun’s heat. FastLock technology creates a strong bond that helps protect against blow-off, water penetration and wind uplift.

Thanks to its algae-resistant granules, these shingles will look great for years to come. They’re also backed by a 97 km/h limited wind warranty.

Designer – Crowne Slate, Armourshake and Royal Estate

IKO has three collections within its Designer line:

  • Crowne Slate: A heavy-duty construction with a Class 4 Impact resistance rating. These shingles have an additional coating of weathering asphalt, laminate adhesive and built-in algae resistance. 
  • Armourshake: Offers a Class 3 Impact resistance rating (Class 4 rating is also available). UV resistance granules and built-in algae resistance make these shingles a solid choice. Several colour options are available.
  • Royal Estate: Offers a Class 3 Impact resistance rating and multiple elegant colour options.

Warranty

IKO offers a limited lifetime warranty on its shingles. Wind warranties range from 177 to 210 km/h, depending on the shingle model. The algae-resistant warranty lasts 120 months for most models, with the exception of Marathon Plus AR, which offers a 60-month warranty.

Please visit https://www.iko.ca/ for more information.

5. BP

Building Products of Canada Corp., better known as BP, has been in business for over a century. They are among the most popular shingle brands, offering a wide range of shingle options for residential and commercial structures. BP’s visualizer tool allows you to experiment with different colours and find the right shingle product to meet your needs.

In addition to roofing materials, BP also produces insulating wall panels, housewrap and soundproofing materials.

Shingle Lines

BP offers five different lines of architectural shingles. Each one features the brand’s Weather-TiteTM technology, which is designed to provide maximum protection against the elements. 

Their collections of 3-tab shingles include:

  • Manoir: Designed to mimic the look of slate, Manoir shingles offer a prestigious look reminiscent of Renaissance castles. These shingles offer Class 3 Impact resistance, wind protection up to 220 km/h, and five curated colour options.
  • Signature: Offers a timeless look and colour options that complement virtually every home exterior. ProFusio technology allows you to blend various colours of the Signature collection to create a unique look. Signature shingles are backed by a 220 km/h warranty and have a Class 3 Impact resistance rating.
  • Mystique: Uniquely designed with oversized tabs and 3D shadow bands to create an eye-catching, elegant look. Mystique shingles have a high wind warranty (up to 180 km/h with standard application) and come in 11 colour options.
  • Vangard: A 42” laminate shingle that meets the Class 4 Impact resistance standard. Vanguard shingles have wind protection up to 220 km/h with standard application and come in five elegant colour options.
  • Yukon: A heavyweight fibreglass shingle produced with Weather-TiteTM technology. Like the Vangard line, Yukon shingles have a unique shadow band that creates an elegant, chiseled style. Made with elastomeric modified asphalt, these shingles are more flexible and resistant to extreme weather. Choose from four colours. 

Warranty

BP offers a limited lifetime warranty on its residential shingles. Wind warranties last 15 years, regardless of whether you choose regular installation or special high wind installation. 

  • Vangard, Manoir and Signature shingles offer a wind warranty up to 220 km/h. 
  • Other shingle models offer a standard wind warranty of 180 km/h and a special high wind installation warranty of 220 km/h.

Please visit https://bpcan.com/ for more information.

Summary

These are five of the best shingle brands in Ontario, all backed by impressive warranties and quality manufacturing practices. Each one has its own pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully if you’re replacing your roof. 

Not sure where to start? Our team is happy to help you compare your options and find the right solution for your needs and budget. Click here to contact us today.