BuildCompared

Rolled Roofing vs Shingles

Rolled roofing is the same family of material as asphalt shingles, but sold as wide sheets. The residential code allows mineral-surfaced roll roofing down to 1:12, against 2:12 for shingles.[1] The asphalt roofing industry says mineral-surfaced roll roofing is used alone as the main roof covering, usually on small or secondary buildings such as barns and sheds.[2] The warranty gap is large: the roll roofing warranty we found covers conformance to GAF specifications at delivery; claims within 5 years of installation; remedy is replacement product or the purchase price, while GAF's architectural shingles carry a Lifetime limited warranty.[3, 4]

Sources checked How we compare

Rolled roofing

Roll roofing: long, wide sheets, each lapping over the one below
Wide sheets lapped across the roof

Pick rolled roofing if it is a shed, garage, porch or other secondary building, or a low slope where shingles are not allowed.[1, 2, 5]

Asphalt shingles

Architectural shingles: two laminated layers with tabs of different sizes
Individual shingles in overlapping courses

Pick shingles if it is the main roof of a house with a slope of at least 2:12, and you want a long warranty and a tested wind rating.[1, 4]

At a glance

Rolled roofingAsphalt shinglesSource
Typical use used alone as the main roof covering, usually on small or secondary buildings such as barns and sheds Main roof of houses: four out of five homes are roofed with asphalt shingles (ARMA) [2]
Minimum slope in the code 1:12 2:12 [1]
Minimum slope set by the maker (GAF) Mineral Guard: 2:12 Same as the code: 2:12 [1, 6]
Material standard in the code ASTM D3909 or ASTM D6380 Class M ASTM D3462 [1]
Fastening Mineral Guard: asphalt plastic roof cement and corrosion-resistant roofing nails at least four per strip shingle, or two per individual shingle [1, 5]
Warranty (GAF) Mineral Guard: conformance to GAF specifications at delivery; claims within 5 years of installation; remedy is replacement product or the purchase price Architectural: Lifetime, 10 years non-prorated; 3-tab: 25 years [3, 4]

Where each one is used

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association says mineral-surfaced roll roofing is used alone as the main roof covering, usually on small or secondary buildings such as barns and sheds.[2] GAF markets its roll roofing for small residential projects such as porches, garages, carports and sheds.[5] Shingles are the main roof covering on most houses: ARMA says four out of five homes are roofed with asphalt shingles.[2]

Slope: the code and the maker can differ

The residential code allows mineral-surfaced roll roofing on slopes down to 1:12, and asphalt shingles from 2:12.[1] The manufacturer can ask for more: GAF Mineral Guard is approved in Miami-Dade for roofs with a minimum slope of 2:12.[6] Follow the stricter of the two.

Materials and fastening

Roll roofing must meet ASTM D3909 or ASTM D6380 Class M; GAF Mineral Guard is asphalt-coated glass fiber mat, surfaced with mineral granules, in rolls of 39.375 in by 32.58 ft.[1, 6] It installs with asphalt plastic roof cement and corrosion-resistant roofing nails.[5]

Shingles must meet ASTM D3462 and be fastened with at least four per strip shingle, or two per individual shingle. They also need a wind classification from Table R905.2.4.1 for the local design wind speed.[1]

Warranty

The most recent GAF roll roofing warranty we found covers conformance to GAF specifications at delivery; claims within 5 years of installation; remedy is replacement product or the purchase price.[3] GAF's shingle warranty runs 25 years for its 3-tab line and Lifetime for architectural lines, with 10 years of non-prorated coverage.[4]

Cost

We did not find a neutral, published installed-cost comparison for rolled roofing and shingles, so this page does not show one.

Common questions

What is the minimum slope for rolled roofing?

The residential code allows 1:12, but GAF Mineral Guard is designed for at least 2:12.[1, 6]

Can I use rolled roofing on a house?

The code allows it on slopes from 1:12, but the industry says it is used alone as the main roof covering, usually on small or secondary buildings such as barns and sheds.[1, 2]

Is rolled roofing the same material as shingles?

Both are asphalt with mineral granules. GAF Mineral Guard is asphalt-coated glass fiber mat, surfaced with mineral granules; shingles must meet ASTM D3462.[1, 6]

Sources

  1. California Building Standards Commission 2025 California Residential Code, Section R905 Requirements for Roof Coverings (effective January 1, 2026). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  2. Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) Frequently Asked Questions. Accessed November 3, 2026.
  3. GAF Mineral Guard and RainCap Residential Roll Roofing Limited Warranty Against Manufacturing Defects (Form dated May 2012 (the latest we found)). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  4. GAF GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty (RESWT160L) (Form RESWT160L-0426, for installations after January 1, 2025). Accessed November 3, 2026.
  5. GAF Mineral Guard Residential Roll Roofing product page. Accessed November 3, 2026.
  6. Miami-Dade County Product Control Notice of Acceptance 21-1020.02, GAF Mineral Guard Residential Roll Roofing (Approved 12/02/2021, expires 01/26/2027). 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].