Free QuoteThe Pacific Northwest workhorse
Asphalt Shingle Roofing
The Pacific Northwest workhorse — affordable, proven, 30+ year lifespan.
- Lifespan
- 25 – 50 years (30 – 40 typical in Seattle)
- Range
- $12,000 – $22,000 (avg 2,000 sqft Seattle home)
- Warranty
- Manufacturer + 5-yr GripGo
What it is & how it works
Asphalt Shingle Roofing in plain English
Architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing choice in the Greater Seattle area — and for good reason. They're affordable, install fast, come in dozens of colors, and stand up to rain, wind, and moss when properly ventilated. This page is the full breakdown: what asphalt shingles actually are, every tier from budget to luxury, side-by-side brand comparisons, real Pacific Northwest lifespans, and every question homeowners ask us before they sign.
An asphalt shingle is a fiberglass mat saturated in waterproof asphalt and coated with ceramic-coated mineral granules that reflect UV and shed water. 'Architectural' (also called dimensional or laminate) shingles bond two layers together for a shadowed, wood-shake look and much better wind/impact ratings than old 3-tabs. On top of the shingle itself, a real asphalt roof is a full system: ice-and-water shield in valleys and at the eaves, synthetic underlayment across the whole deck, new galvanized drip edge, hand-bent step and counter flashing at every wall abutment, lifetime silicone pipe boots, ridge vent tied to balanced soffit intake, and matching hip/ridge cap shingles. Correct install is what makes an asphalt roof last 30+ years in Seattle rain instead of 15 — bad ventilation and lay-over installs are the two biggest killers we see. Every GripGo asphalt roof is a full tear-off to the deck, sheathing replaced where needed, and finished with a written manufacturer + 5-year workmanship warranty package.
Understanding your options
Tiers, styles & what's included
Tap any tier to see exactly what's in it, what it costs relative to the others, and who it fits best.
Option 1Tier 1 — 3-Tab Shingles (Legacy / Budget)
Tier 1 — 3-Tab Shingles (Legacy / Budget)
Flat, single-layer shingles with three cutout tabs. Rarely installed on new roofs today — we mainly use these for matched repairs on older homes or for detached garages/sheds where budget wins over lifespan.
- 20 – 25 year lifespan
- Lightest weight (~200 lbs/square)
- 60 – 70 mph wind rating
- Cheapest asphalt option — but noticeably shorter life
- Flat, uniform appearance (no shadow lines)
Option 2Tier 2 — Architectural / Dimensional Shingles
Tier 2 — Architectural / Dimensional Shingles
The Seattle standard and 90% of what we install. Two laminated layers create a dimensional, shadowed look that mimics wood shake — with much better wind, impact, and warranty ratings than 3-tabs.
- 30 – 50 year manufacturer warranties
- 110 – 130 mph wind rating
- Class A fire rating
- Dozens of colors — Weathered Wood, Driftwood, Charcoal, Slate, Hunter Green, Barkwood
- Flagship lines: GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark
Option 3Tier 3 — Designer / Luxury Asphalt Shingles
Tier 3 — Designer / Luxury Asphalt Shingles
Thicker, heavier premium shingles that mimic natural slate or hand-split shake at a fraction of the cost. The top tier of asphalt — often chosen for craftsman, Tudor, and higher-end Craftsman remodels.
- Lifetime limited warranties (50+ years)
- Class 4 impact-rated on many lines (may qualify for insurance discounts)
- Deep shadow lines, varied tab widths, staggered exposure
- Flagship lines: GAF Grand Sequoia & Camelot II, CertainTeed Presidential & Grand Manor, Owens Corning Woodmoor & Berkshire
- Roughly 1.5×–2× the material cost of architectural — still cheaper per year than real slate
Option 4Tier 4 — Impact-Resistant (Class 4) Shingles
Tier 4 — Impact-Resistant (Class 4) Shingles
Rubberized-asphalt shingles engineered with a modified polymer layer to survive hail, falling branches, and windborne debris. Often earn a homeowner-insurance discount in WA.
- UL 2218 Class 4 (highest impact rating available)
- Ideal for homes under fir/cedar canopy or in windstorm zones
- May reduce homeowner's insurance premium 5 – 30% depending on carrier
- Same install process, ~15 – 25% higher material cost
- Flagship lines: GAF Timberline AS II, Owens Corning Duration STORM, CertainTeed Landmark IR
Option 5Tier 5 — Cool-Roof / Reflective Shingles
Tier 5 — Cool-Roof / Reflective Shingles
Solar-reflective ceramic granules bounce sunlight back and lower attic temps up to 20°F in summer. Great pairing with heat pumps, attic-mounted AC, or planned solar.
- ENERGY STAR rated
- Cuts summer cooling costs 7 – 15%
- Same lifespan as standard architectural
- Available in medium and light color palettes only
- Flagship lines: GAF Timberline CS, CertainTeed Landmark Solaris, Owens Corning Duration COOL
Option 6Brand Comparison — GAF vs Owens Corning vs CertainTeed
Brand Comparison — GAF vs Owens Corning vs CertainTeed
The 'big three' North American asphalt shingle brands. All three make excellent architectural and designer lines — the real differences are warranty structure, install-team certification, tear-strength technology, and color selection. We install all three and match the brand to the roof.
- GAF Timberline HDZ — #1 selling shingle in North America. LayerLock lamination + StrikeZone nailing area (600% larger). Only shingle with the WindProven Limited Wind Warranty (no maximum wind speed) when installed by a GAF Master Elite contractor.
- Owens Corning Duration — patented SureNail Technology (a woven reinforcing fabric strip across the nail zone) for exceptional tear and pull-through resistance. 130 mph wind rating. Trū Definition color palette gives the deepest shadow contrast.
- CertainTeed Landmark — widest color selection of the three (16+ standard blends). NailTrak line has a wide nailing target for extra-precise fastening. Made with recycled content. Backed by CertainTeed's SureStart PLUS warranty when installed by a Select ShingleMaster.
- Warranty depth requires certified installers — we hold the top-tier credential with our primary supplier so you get the enhanced (non-prorated) warranty, not the standard box-store warranty.
- Price is usually within 5 – 10% between the three lines at the same tier — pick on color, warranty structure, and installer certification, not sticker price.
Option 7Full System Details (Every GripGo Asphalt Roof)
Full System Details (Every GripGo Asphalt Roof)
The install matters more than the shingle brand. This is what's under every roof we build — no shortcuts, no upsells later.
- Complete tear-off to the deck (never a lay-over)
- Deck inspection & sheathing replacement as needed (priced transparently)
- 6' ice & water shield at eaves, valleys, walls, and around skylights/chimneys
- Full-coverage synthetic underlayment (never 15lb felt)
- New galvanized drip edge on eaves and rakes
- Hand-bent step & counter flashing at every wall abutment
- Lifetime silicone pipe boots (not the 5-year rubber gaskets)
- Ridge vent + balanced soffit intake for a breathing attic (single biggest factor in roof lifespan)
- Zinc or copper strips at the ridge on shaded roofs to prevent moss
- 5-year GripGo workmanship warranty stacked on the manufacturer warranty
The system
Anatomy of a full roof system
A roof is a stack of layers — each one has a job. Here's what goes into every one we build, in plain English.
- Ridge cap & ventLets hot air escape from the attic peak
- Shingles / tiles / shakesThe visible weather layer
- Synthetic underlaymentSecondary water barrier across the whole deck
- Ice & water shieldPeel-and-stick at eaves, valleys, and penetrations
- Roof decking (sheathing)The plywood/OSB nailing surface
- Rafters + soffit intakeStructure and fresh-air inlet that balances the ridge vent
The honest take
Advantages & things to consider
Advantages
- Best value per year of lifespan of any roofing material
- Class A fire rating, wind ratings up to 130 mph (unlimited with some GAF systems)
- Huge color and profile selection — from charcoal to weathered wood to designer slate looks
- Easy to repair or color-match years later
- Fast install: most Seattle homes done in 1 – 2 days
- Compatible with solar, skylights, and every venting system
Things to consider
- Shorter lifespan than metal (50+ yrs) or synthetic composite (50+ yrs)
- Can grow moss without proper ventilation, zinc strips, or tree trimming
- Petroleum-based product — heat and poor attic ventilation shorten life
- Darker colors absorb more heat (mitigate with cool-roof granules or lighter color)
Is this right for your home?
Quick fit check
What GripGo inspects
Free on-site inspection checklist
Every quote starts with a real inspection — not a driveway guess. Here's what we look at before we write a single number down.
Every field shingle, ridge cap, and starter course
Flashing at walls, chimneys, and skylights
Pipe boots and vent penetrations
Ridge vent + soffit intake balance
Attic decking for staining, sag, or moisture
Gutter seams, hangers, and downspout flow
Common questions
What Seattle homeowners ask us about asphalt shingle roofing
What actually is an asphalt shingle?+
A fiberglass mat saturated in waterproof asphalt, topped with ceramic-coated mineral granules. The granules reflect UV, add color, and provide fire resistance. 'Architectural' shingles bond two of those layers together for a thicker, shadowed profile with higher wind and warranty ratings.
How long does an asphalt roof actually last in Seattle?+
A properly installed architectural shingle roof with balanced ventilation typically lasts 30 – 40 years here. The failures we see at 15 – 20 years are almost always poor attic ventilation or a shingle-over-shingle install (a 'lay-over') — both trap heat and moisture and cook the shingles from underneath.
What's the real difference between GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed?+
All three make excellent shingles. GAF Timberline HDZ has the strongest wind warranty (WindProven, no wind-speed limit) when installed by a Master Elite contractor. Owens Corning Duration's SureNail fabric strip gives the best tear/pull-through resistance in the industry. CertainTeed Landmark wins on color selection and uses recycled content. We match the brand to your home's color palette, roof pitch, and warranty priorities.
Should I pay for designer/luxury shingles or stick with architectural?+
If you're staying in the home 15+ years and want the slate or shake look, designer shingles are worth it — the lifetime warranty and Class 4 impact rating often offset most of the upcharge over decades. If you're selling in under 10 years, high-end architectural (GAF HDZ, OC Duration) gives 95% of the curb appeal for 60 – 70% of the cost.
Are Class 4 impact-resistant shingles worth it?+
In Seattle, worth it in two cases: (1) your home sits under mature firs, cedars, or maples that drop branches, or (2) your insurer offers a Class 4 discount (many do — 5 – 30% off the roof portion of your premium). The material upcharge is usually 15 – 25%. Ask us to price both so you can compare against your policy's discount.
Can you install new shingles over my old ones?+
We don't. Lay-overs void most manufacturer warranties, hide rotten decking, add weight the trusses weren't designed for, and shorten the life of the new roof by 30 – 40%. Every GripGo roof is a full tear-off to the deck so we can see and fix what's underneath.
Will moss ruin my new asphalt roof?+
Only if ventilation is wrong or trees hang directly over the roof. We install zinc or copper strips at the ridge on every shaded roof — rain washes trace metal down the slope and moss can't establish. We also offer annual soft-wash moss treatments if trees can't be trimmed back.
How does the warranty actually work?+
Two warranties stack on every roof: the manufacturer's material warranty (30-year to lifetime depending on tier) and our 5-year workmanship warranty covering install-related leaks. When we're the certified installer on a system (GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed Select ShingleMaster, etc.) the manufacturer warranty upgrades to non-prorated with much longer coverage — that upgrade is included, not extra.
Do you handle insurance claims for storm damage?+
Yes. We document the damage with drone and close-up photos, write the scope for your adjuster, and meet them on the roof to walk it. About 90% of our storm claims are approved on first submission.
How long does an asphalt reroof take?+
Most Seattle homes (2,000 – 2,800 sqft) are a 1 – 2 day install once we're on-site: tear-off in the morning, deck repair and underlayment through midday, shingles and flashing in the afternoon. Larger or more complex roofs (steep pitch, multiple dormers, cedar tear-off) run 3 – 4 days.
What time of year is best to reroof in Seattle?+
Late spring through early fall is ideal — the sealant strips need warm sun to bond fully. We install year-round with hand-sealing on cold days, but May–September gives the fastest thermal seal and cleanest weather windows.
Related services
Also worth a look
Composite / Synthetic Roofing
The look of slate or cedar — engineered to outlast both, with 50-year warranties.
Learn more
Metal Roofing
Standing seam and metal shingle — 40 to 70+ year lifespan, energy-efficient.
Learn more
Cedar Shake Roofing
Authentic Western Red Cedar — classic PNW character with proper install.
Learn moreReady when you are
Free inspection, honest recommendation, no pressure. That's how we've done it since day one.