01Start with the rating that matters: wind and impact
Piedmont straight-line winds and hail swathes kill shingles two ways: tabs tear off at the seal strip, and mats bruise under impact. Dimensional shingles like CertainTeed Landmark carry 110 mph wind ratings; Landmark PRO steps to 130. NorthGate adds a polymer-modified (SBS) mat — the same rubberizing technology used in hail country — and can earn insurance impact discounts.
If your neighborhood has taken two hail events in five years, that SBS mat is worth the upgrade conversation.
02The claim angle nobody mentions
When a claim replaces your roof, the carrier prices a like-for-like shingle — and upgrades during a claim are usually cheaper than any other time you'll ever buy them, because mobilization is already paid. This is the moment to move from builder-grade to Landmark PRO or NorthGate. Your estimator shows you the exact delta before you decide.
03Color: the curb-appraisal calculation
Weathered Wood and Georgetown Gray dominate NC neighborhoods for a reason — they hide shingle grit loss and read well against brick and Hardie palettes. Charcoal Black adds drama against light siding. Storm Cloud, fittingly, is a Stormtek favorite for blue-gray homes. Presidential Shake gives hand-split cedar looks with asphalt reality, for homes where appraisal follows curb appeal.
Filter every CertainTeed colorway we install in the shingle gallery — swatches are flat color, exactly what your eyes need for comparison.
04Ventilation and the warranty you actually get
A shingle warranty is only as good as the installation under it: manufacturer certification is what converts a material warranty into a system warranty covering labor. Under-ventilated attics void them quietly. Certified installation with documented ventilation is the difference between a warranty that pays and one that argues.
Still have questions?
This is a free inspection away.
A walk-on inspection answers every question in this guide as it applies to your actual roof — with photos you keep either way.