GAF vs Owens Corning Shingles
On their standard warranties the two are very close: both give architectural shingles a Lifetime limited warranty with 10 years non-prorated, and both cover wind for 15 years.[1, 2] The differences are in wind speed and transfers. Owens Corning Duration starts at 130 mph and reaches 160 mph with its full component system; GAF's standard document tops out at 130 mph (special installation), though GAF also offers a separate WindProven limited wind warranty for eligible installations.[1, 2, 3]
GAF
Pick GAF if you want algae coverage of 25 years (StainGuard Plus) without a ridge cap condition, or GAF's separate WindProven wind warranty.[1, 2, 3]
Owens Corning
Pick Owens Corning if you want a higher wind speed in the standard warranty (130 mph), or a warranty you can transfer once at any time.[2]
At a glance
| Feature | GAF | Owens Corning | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architectural warranty term | Lifetime | Lifetime | [1, 2] |
| Who gets Lifetime | single-family detached homes owned by individuals, for as long as the original owner (or one qualifying second owner) owns the home | single-family detached homes where the roof owner lives in the home, for as long as that owner owns it | [1, 2] |
| Other buildings | 40 years | 40 years | [1, 2] |
| Non-prorated period | 10 years | 10 years | [1, 2] |
| Wind speed, standard install | 110 mph | Duration 130 mph; Oakridge 110 mph (4 nails) or 130 mph (6 nails and OC starter) | [1, 2] |
| Wind speed, best case | 130 mph; plus a separate WindProven limited wind warranty for eligible installations | Duration 160 mph | [1, 2, 3] |
| Wind coverage period | 15 years | 15 years | [1, 2] |
| Algae coverage | 25 years (StainGuard Plus) | 25 years with qualifying OC ridge caps, otherwise 10 | [1, 2] |
| Tear-off and disposal | Tear-off and disposal are not covered | Removal and disposal of the old roofing are not covered | [1, 2] |
| Transfer to a buyer | once; full coverage if transferred during the non-prorated period, otherwise 2 years | once, at any time; full balance during the non-prorated period, otherwise 2 years; new owner must apply within 60 days | [1, 2] |
| Wind void rule | Not in the GAF document | Wind coverage does not apply if the National Weather Service or another reputable agency records winds or gusts above the rated speed in the county | [2] |
| 3-tab line | Royal Sovereign: 25 years, wind 60 mph | Supreme: 25 years, wind 60 mph | [1, 2] |
Lifetime means the same thing at both
At GAF, Lifetime covers single-family detached homes owned by individuals, for as long as the original owner (or one qualifying second owner) owns the home.[1] At Owens Corning, it covers single-family detached homes where the roof owner lives in the home, for as long as that owner owns it.[2] On other buildings, both drop to 40 years.[1, 2]
Wind
GAF covers its Lifetime shingles to 110 mph, or 130 mph.[1] Owens Corning covers Duration to 130 mph as standard and 160 mph with its enhanced system; Oakridge is 110 mph (4 nails) or 130 mph (6 nails and OC starter).[2]
Owens Corning adds a rule GAF's document does not have: Wind coverage does not apply if the National Weather Service or another reputable agency records winds or gusts above the rated speed in the county.[2]
Transfers and claims
GAF: once; full coverage if transferred during the non-prorated period, otherwise 2 years. Owens Corning: once, at any time; full balance during the non-prorated period, otherwise 2 years; new owner must apply within 60 days.[1, 2] Both ask you to report a problem within 30 days after noticing a problem.[1, 2]
Cost
Brands do not publish installed prices, and we did not find a neutral price comparison, so this page does not show one.
Common questions
Which has the better wind warranty?
In the standard warranties, Owens Corning Duration: 130 mph, or 160 mph with its full system. GAF tops out at 130 mph (special installation) in its standard document but also offers a separate WindProven limited wind warranty for eligible installations.[1, 2, 3]
Sources
- GAF GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (RESWT160L) (Form RESWT160L-0426, for installations after January 1, 2025). Accessed November 3, 2026.
- Owens Corning Standard Product Limited Lifetime Warranty on Owens Corning Roofing Shingles and Components (August 2026 (Pub. No. 10023873-I), for shingles purchased after August 1, 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
- GAF Timberline HDZ Shingles product page, specifications. Accessed November 3, 2026.
We did not install or test these products. Everything on this page comes from the documents listed above. If a source changes, numbers here may be out of date until our next check. Spot an error? Email [email protected].