What’s the real difference between Owens Corning and CertainTeed shingles? How do you know which one is actually better for your home in Central PA—not just on paper, but in real weather?
That’s exactly what we’re going to break down in this article. In the spirit of transparency, Equity Roofing is proud to be an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor. That said, we make every effort to be as objective and unbiased as possible.
Our goal is never to sell you on any specific product. We’re just here to educate you on how to compare them for yourself.
In this article, we'll compare durability, installation, cold-weather performance, and warranty support. We're not here to flatter any brands; we only provide facts that help you make the right call for your home and budget.
Owens Corning shingles are lighter and designed for flexibility, while CertainTeed shingles are heavier and built for more extreme climates.
At a glance, both offer premium materials and solid warranties, but they serve different needs. This table shows how they compare in terms of weight, impact resistance, and installation.
| Feature | Owens Corning Duration | CertainTeed LandMark |
| Shingle Weight | 68 lb per bundle (Home Depot Listing) | 70 to 75 lbs per bundle (as calculated from the official data sheet) |
| Impact Resistance | Class 3 | Class 3 |
| Available Colors | 21 | 21 |
Key Takeaway: CertainTeed LandMark's weight makes it a durable option, while Owens Corning Duration has triple-layer protection to enhance durability. Both manufacturers make an effort to provide wide and clear nail zones to decrease installation errors.
Ultimately, installation comes down to the skill of the roofer. That said, we've found Owens Corning's SureNail® Technology to be helpful for both new and experienced roofers.
Nail zones are often overlooked by homeowners, but they play a big role in the lifespan of your roof. Here’s how installation differs between the two brands.
| Feature | Owens Corning Duration | CertainTeed LandMark |
| Nail Zone | SureNail® Technology is known for triple-layer protection and “no guess” strip guides | NailTrak® is known for its extra-wide nailing area |
| Nail Zone Width | 1.75 inches wide | 1.5 inches wide |
| Reinforcement | Woven fabric overlay that’s Kevlar-reinforced | Traditional fiberglass mat base |
Key Takeaway: Both shingles share the same wind rating of 130 mph. They use different certification tests. Owens Corning scored higher during Roofing Insight’s pull test.
Both Owens Corning Duration shingles and CertainTeed LandMark shingles have a wind resistance of up to 130 mph. We take a deeper dive into their wind performance in the table below.
| Feature | Owens Corning Duration | CertainTeed LandMark |
| Wind Rating | Up to 130 mph | Up to 130 mph |
| Certifications | Certified to ASTM D7158, Uplift Force/Uplift Resistance Method | Certified to ASTM D3161, Fan-Induced Method. |
| Roofing Insight’s Pull Test Performance | 5 out of 5 score |
4 out of 5 score |
Key Takeaway: While both shingles share the same wind rating, Owens Corning Duration shingles use a higher certification test and scored higher during Roofing Insight’s pull test.
Owens Corning may offer an edge in cold-weather installs due to its Duration FLEX® line, which includes enhanced flexibility out of the box—an option CertainTeed doesn’t currently offer in the same product class. This is a big factor in cold-weather installs, as we see in Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.
| Feature | OwenOwens Corning Duration FLEX®s Corning Duration FLEX® | CertainTeed Landmark ClimateFlex® |
| Sealing in Cold Weather | Performs well in cold weather; Owens Corning recommends extra care under 40°F and immediate sealing where needed. | Designed with cold-weather flexibility; installs in cold climates, but CertainTeed still recommends warm conditions for optimal sealing. |
| Wind Resistance | Rated for up to 130 mph with SureNail® Technology strip, enhancing grip. | Also rated up to 130 mph, but requires enhanced nailing pattern and accessory compliance for full warranty. |
| Granule Loss | Excellent granule adhesion due to rubberized asphalt blend. | Also enhanced granule retention with polymer-modified asphalt, though not as widely tested. |
| Best Season for Installation | Fall/Winter, especially in climates like Central PA. | Best installed in temperate seasons; colder installs require longer seal time. |
Key Takeaway: Both lines can be used for winter roof installs, but Certainteed may need extra steps to ensure full adhesion. Your schedule and installer preferences might tip the balance between the two.
Both Owens Corning and CertainTeed offer algae-resistant (AR) shingles to prevent algae stains. Their technology relies on copper-infused granules that release over time to prevent algae from taking hold. Here’s how their systems compare:
| Feature | Owens Corning Duration | CertainTeed LandMark |
| Algae Protection System | StreakGuard™ | StreakFighter® |
| How It Works | Copper-infused granules | Copper-infused granules |
| Warranty Period | 25-year limited algae-resistance warranty (on Duration AR products), prorated after 10 years in some cases. | Up to 25 years on AR Landmark shingles when installed with AR hip/ridge accessories. |
Key Takeaway: Both brands offer strong algae protection backed by a 25-year limited warranty. It’s essential to ensure AR-labeled shingles and compatible accessories are used. Always confirm what’s included in your roof package.
When comparing roof warranties, coverage varies depending on the installer and products used.
Here’s a side-by-side breakdown of what’s offered:
| Feature | Owens Corning* | CertainTeed* |
| Labor | Standard: 10 years Second Tier: 50 years Third Tier: 55 years Top Tier: 50 years |
SureStart™ non-prorated labor coverage: 10 years for Lifetime products Tear-off, flashing, and disposal included for LifetimeA lines |
| Materials | Lifetime (non-prorated during SureNail protection period) | Lifetime for original homeowners (LifetimeA or LifetimeB tiers) Prorated after SureStart period (10 years for A / 5 years for B) |
| Wind | 15 years across all tiers (up to 130 mph with required install accessories) | 15 years up to 130 mph if installed with required starter & ridge accessories (otherwise 110 mph standard) |
*Refer to the official Owens Corning and CertainTeed Warranty Overview for details and exclusions
Both Owens Corning and CertainTeed offer robust warranties.
Always confirm what tier your roofing project qualifies for before signing your contract.
Now that you’ve seen a side-by-side comparison of Owens Corning and CertainTeed shingles, you can evaluate them based on what matters most to you.
Choosing between two well-known roofing brands can be anxiety-inducing, especially when your home and budget are on the line. That’s why it’s so important to cut through the hype and focus on performance where it counts.
If you want to understand real roofing costs in Central PA—and what to expect based on home size, season, and install complexity—check out our guide to roof replacement costs in Central PA. It’s the best next step toward planning and budgeting for your new roof.
At Equity Roofing, our goal is never to sell you on a brand, but to deliver a quality roof installation. Whether you're in Carlisle or Camp Hill, we’re here to help you get a roof that holds up and makes sense for your home.