CertainTeed Shingles Review: Coastal Performance in Myrtle Beach (2026)

CertainTeed is a subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, a French multinational that has been in the building materials business since 1665. CertainTeed itself was founded in 1904 and is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania. They operate multiple manufacturing facilities across the United States and produce a full range of roofing, siding, insulation, and building envelope products.

What sets CertainTeed apart from a contractor's perspective is their commitment to manufacturing consistency. Their shingles are produced under tight quality controls, and the granule adhesion and dimensional accuracy are reliably good batch after batch. Among roofers I work with on the Grand Strand, CertainTeed has a reputation for making shingles that lay flat, seal consistently, and hold up over time.

CertainTeed also runs one of the more rigorous contractor certification programs in the industry. Their SELECT ShingleMaster program requires ongoing training and allows installers to offer enhanced warranties that cover both materials and workmanship, something that matters significantly when you are protecting a coastal home.

One important note: CertainTeed does not have the same marketing budget as GAF, which means they are not always the first brand homeowners think of. But in my experience, many experienced roofers prefer working with CertainTeed products because of the manufacturing quality and the warranty support structure.

CertainTeed offers one of the broadest product lines in the industry. Here is a breakdown of the products most relevant for Myrtle Beach homeowners, from most affordable to premium.

Landmark (Standard Architectural)

The Landmark is CertainTeed's entry-level architectural shingle and their best seller. It features a dual-layer construction with a 10-inch exposure, a 130 mph wind warranty, and the NailTrak nailing line for accurate placement. Available in over 20 colors. For budget-conscious coastal homeowners, this is a solid starting point, though I generally recommend stepping up to the Landmark Pro for the Grand Strand.

Landmark Pro (Enhanced Architectural)

The Landmark Pro is my most-recommended CertainTeed product for Myrtle Beach homes. It adds the Max Def color palette for deeper shadow lines, a heavier overall weight per square, and the same 130 mph wind warranty. The Pro uses a fiberglass mat that handles humidity cycling better than the standard Landmark, and in my experience the granule retention is noticeably superior after five or more years of coastal exposure. If you want the best balance of performance and value for a coastal SC home, this is the one to consider.

Landmark Premium (Thick-Cut Profile)

The Landmark Premium offers a thicker profile that mimics the look of wood shake from the curb. It has the same wind and algae resistance ratings as the Pro but with a more pronounced dimensional appearance. It weighs more per square, which is actually a positive for wind resistance in hurricane zones. It is a good choice if aesthetics are a priority and you want to stay within the Landmark family.

Presidential Shake (Designer Series)

CertainTeed's Presidential Shake is a multi-layered luxury shingle designed to replicate the appearance of natural cedar shake. It is among the heaviest asphalt shingles on the market, which provides excellent wind resistance. Presidential Shake carries a 130 mph wind warranty and offers the StreakFighter algae-resistance technology. For high-end coastal homes where curb appeal is paramount, it delivers a dramatic look. The trade-off is a significantly higher material cost and a heavier load on the roof deck, which occasionally requires structural verification.

Grand Manor (Ultra-Premium)

The Grand Manor is CertainTeed's flagship product: a triple-layer shingle designed to replicate natural slate. It is rarely installed in our market due to the cost, but for homeowners building custom homes in areas like DeBordieu Colony or Litchfield by the Sea, it creates a stunning aesthetic. It carries the full suite of CertainTeed technologies and a lifetime limited warranty. Grand Manor requires professional installation by certified contractors due to its weight and layering complexity.

CertainTeed markets two proprietary technologies that are particularly relevant for homeowners in hurricane-prone coastal areas. National review sites barely mention these, but they are a significant part of why CertainTeed performs well on the Grand Strand.

QuadraBond Adhesive Technology

Most shingle manufacturers use a single adhesive strip to bond the shingle tabs together on the roof. CertainTeed's QuadraBond system uses four points of adhesive application instead of one continuous strip. The idea is that four discrete bond points create a more reliable seal that is less susceptible to failure if one section is compromised.

In coastal conditions, this matters because wind-driven rain can work its way under shingle edges. If a single adhesive strip partially fails, the entire tab can lift. With four independent bond points, even if one or two are compromised by salt spray exposure or UV degradation, the remaining bonds continue to hold. I have personally observed this difference during post-hurricane inspections, where CertainTeed shingles with QuadraBond maintained their seal while some competing products with single-strip adhesive showed edge lifting on the same roof exposures.

ClimateFlex Technology

ClimateFlex is CertainTeed's rubberized polymer modification that is blended into the asphalt layer of certain product lines. Standard asphalt shingles become brittle in cold temperatures and can soften excessively in extreme heat. ClimateFlex is designed to maintain flexibility across a wider temperature range.

For Myrtle Beach, the heat flexibility is the relevant factor. Summer roof surface temperatures on the Grand Strand regularly exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Standard asphalt can soften to the point where granules become easier to dislodge, and foot traffic during that period (from satellite installers, painters, or even inspectors) can cause permanent damage. ClimateFlex-modified shingles resist this softening, which translates to better granule retention over the life of the roof.

The cold-weather flexibility benefit is less critical in our market, but it does matter during the occasional nor'easter when temperatures drop rapidly and wind speeds spike. A shingle that remains flexible is less likely to crack under thermal shock combined with high wind loads.

This is the section that no national review site can write, because it requires years of installing and inspecting CertainTeed roofs within a few miles of the Atlantic Ocean. Here is what I have observed across hundreds of CertainTeed installations on the Grand Strand.

Salt Spray Resistance

Homes within the first few miles of the coast are exposed to airborne salt particles that accelerate corrosion of metal components and can degrade adhesive bonds over time. CertainTeed's granule adhesion has held up well in my inspections of roofs that are five to ten years old in direct coastal exposure areas like Garden City Beach and Surfside Beach. The StreakFighter algae-resistance granules do not appear to be more or less susceptible to salt than competing products, but the underlying adhesive bonds (particularly on Landmark Pro) seem to maintain their integrity slightly better than what I have seen on some Owens Corning Duration roofs in the same neighborhoods.

Hurricane and High-Wind Performance

CertainTeed's 130 mph wind warranty applies across most of their architectural line when installed according to their high-wind application instructions. This includes a specific nailing pattern (six nails per shingle instead of four) and the use of starter strip products along the eaves and rakes.

During post-storm inspections after Hurricane Isaias (2020) and various tropical storms, CertainTeed Landmark Pro roofs that were properly installed held up well. The QuadraBond adhesive demonstrated its value: on roofs where I could compare CertainTeed sections to other brands (such as split-phase replacements), the CertainTeed sections generally showed less edge lifting and fewer blown tabs.

That said, no asphalt shingle is hurricane-proof. In winds exceeding 130 mph, any asphalt shingle can fail. For homeowners in the most exposed positions along the coast, I sometimes recommend metal roofing for superior wind resistance.

Humidity and Algae Resistance

Myrtle Beach averages around 76 percent relative humidity annually, with summer months pushing well above 85 percent regularly. This creates ideal conditions for blue-green algae growth on roofs, which appears as dark streaks running down the slope.

All CertainTeed architectural shingles include StreakFighter algae-resistance technology, which uses copper-releasing granules to inhibit algae growth. In my experience, CertainTeed's algae resistance is effective for the first 10 to 12 years on most installations. After that period, you may start to see some streaking on north-facing slopes with heavy shade, which is consistent with competing products as well. No shingle provides permanent algae resistance in our climate.

Granule Retention Over Time

This is one area where CertainTeed performs noticeably well. On roof inspections of Landmark Pro installations that are 8 to 12 years old, the granule coverage remains more uniform than what I typically see on comparably-aged Owens Corning Duration roofs. This is likely attributable to the ClimateFlex technology reducing granule release during thermal cycling. Granule loss is one of the most common shingle complaints in coastal areas because UV exposure accelerates it, and CertainTeed's resistance to this issue is a genuine strength.

This comparison focuses specifically on the mid-range architectural products that most Myrtle Beach homeowners choose. These are the shingles in the "sweet spot" of performance and value for coastal SC homes.

My take for coastal SC: CertainTeed Landmark Pro and GAF Timberline HDZ are both strong choices. CertainTeed edges ahead on granule retention and adhesive technology for our climate, while GAF has broader contractor availability and name recognition. Owens Corning Duration is a good shingle but has documented consistency issues -- read our Owens Corning Duration problems review before choosing it. Atlas Pinnacle Pristine is an underrated option with excellent wind resistance and the best algae protection on the market thanks to Scotchgard. For a full comparison of the top two brands, see our Owens Corning vs GAF comparison.

After years of installing and inspecting CertainTeed products in coastal South Carolina, here is my honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses.

Pros

• Excellent granule retention: ClimateFlex technology translates to measurably better granule adhesion over time compared to standard asphalt shingles. This is one of the most important factors in a coastal UV-intensive environment.
• Superior adhesive system: QuadraBond provides redundant bonding that performs well in high-wind coastal conditions. Four bond points are genuinely better than a single adhesive strip.
• Manufacturing consistency: CertainTeed shingles arrive on the job site with reliable dimensions and quality. Fewer defective bundles means fewer callbacks and a better-looking finished roof.
• Strong warranty structure: The SELECT ShingleMaster program offers 25 years of workmanship coverage through certified installers, which is among the best in the industry.
• Wide product range: From budget Landmark to luxury Grand Manor, CertainTeed has a product for every price point and aesthetic preference.
• Good color selection: Over 20 colors in the Landmark line with Max Def options that provide deeper, more attractive shadow lines than many competitors.
• Effective algae resistance: StreakFighter technology works well for 10-plus years in Myrtle Beach's humid climate.

Cons

• Slightly higher cost: CertainTeed Landmark Pro typically costs more per square than GAF Timberline HDZ and Owens Corning Duration in our market. The difference is not dramatic, but it exists.
• Lower brand recognition: Many homeowners have never heard of CertainTeed, which means less "peace of mind" factor compared to GAF's heavy consumer marketing. This is a perception issue, not a quality issue.
• Fewer certified contractors: GAF's Master Elite program has significantly more participants than CertainTeed's SELECT ShingleMaster program. This means fewer contractors in the Myrtle Beach area can offer the enhanced warranty, and you may have a smaller pool of installers to choose from.
• No Class 4 impact rating on standard products: The base Landmark and Landmark Pro are Class 3, not Class 4. If you need Class 4 for insurance discounts, you will need to step up to specific impact-rated products, which adds cost.
• Weight considerations on premium products: Presidential Shake and Grand Manor are heavy shingles. Older coastal homes may need structural reinforcement to support them, adding to the total project cost.
• Limited availability in some markets: CertainTeed is not stocked as widely as GAF in the Myrtle Beach area, which can occasionally cause lead time delays if specific colors need to be ordered.

CertainTeed's warranty structure is among the more comprehensive in the industry, but there are important details that coastal homeowners should understand before making a decision.

Standard Warranty (Any Installer)

When a non-certified contractor installs CertainTeed shingles, you receive a standard limited lifetime warranty that covers manufacturing defects in the shingle material. This warranty is prorated after the initial 10-year period, meaning CertainTeed's financial obligation decreases over time. The warranty does not cover workmanship, meaning if the installer made errors that caused the failure, CertainTeed is not responsible.

Enhanced Warranty (SELECT ShingleMaster)

When a certified SELECT ShingleMaster contractor installs CertainTeed shingles using the full CertainTeed Integrity Roof System (underlayment, starter strips, ridge caps, and ventilation all from CertainTeed), you can qualify for:

• SureStart coverage: Full replacement cost (non-prorated) for the first period, which varies by product line but can extend up to 20 years.
• 25-year workmanship coverage: CertainTeed covers labor and materials if the installation was defective. This is huge for coastal homes where installation quality directly affects wind performance.
• Wind warranty: 130 mph coverage when installed per high-wind instructions with six nails per shingle.

Coastal-Specific Warranty Considerations

There are a few points that are especially relevant for Grand Strand homeowners:

• Wind warranty requires proper installation: The 130 mph wind warranty is only valid if the contractor followed CertainTeed's high-wind installation guidelines, including six-nail application and approved starter strips. If your contractor used four nails, your wind warranty may not apply.
• Algae warranty is 15 years: The StreakFighter algae resistance warranty covers 15 years of "blue-green algae discoloration." After that, algae streaking in our humid climate is expected and is not a warranty defect.
• No salt spray exclusion: Unlike some manufacturer warranties that exclude "corrosive environments," CertainTeed's standard warranty does not specifically exclude salt spray exposure. This is worth noting for homes within the first mile of the coastline.
• Transferability: The warranty can transfer to a subsequent homeowner within the first 60 days of a home sale, with some limitations on the SureStart period. This matters for resale value on the Grand Strand where homes change hands frequently.

My recommendation: Always hire a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster contractor if you are choosing CertainTeed. The warranty upgrade from standard to enhanced is substantial, especially the 25-year workmanship coverage. In a coastal environment where installation quality is the single biggest factor in long-term performance, that workmanship warranty is worth the investment.

Your shingle choice directly impacts your homeowners insurance in South Carolina, and this is a factor that most national shingle reviews completely ignore.

Wind Mitigation Discounts

South Carolina insurers offer wind mitigation discounts for roofing systems that meet certain standards. CertainTeed's 130 mph wind warranty, when supported by a certificate of proper six-nail installation, can qualify your home for wind mitigation credits. The exact discount varies by carrier, but it typically ranges from 5 to 15 percent of your wind/hail premium.

Impact Resistance Discounts

If you step up to a CertainTeed product with a Class 4 impact rating (UL 2218), you can qualify for additional insurance discounts. In South Carolina, Class 4 rated shingles can earn premium reductions of 5 to 28 percent depending on your carrier. However, the standard Landmark and Landmark Pro are Class 3, so you would need to specifically request the impact-rated versions.

Roof Age and Insurability

Many SC insurers will not write new policies on homes with roofs older than 15 years, and some set the threshold at 10 years. CertainTeed's documented lifespan and warranty give you a clear paper trail that your roof is within insurable age. When filing a claim, having a CertainTeed warranty certificate also demonstrates that the roof was installed to manufacturer specifications, which can support your claim during the adjuster's evaluation.

For a detailed guide to navigating SC roof insurance, read our roof insurance claim guide for Myrtle Beach.

Even the best shingle will fail prematurely if it is not installed correctly for coastal conditions. Here are the installation practices that make a real difference for CertainTeed roofs on the Grand Strand.

Six-Nail Application (Non-Negotiable)

CertainTeed's standard installation allows four nails per shingle in normal wind zones. For Myrtle Beach, which is in a high-wind zone, six nails per shingle is required to maintain the 130 mph wind warranty. This is not optional for coastal homes. If your contractor is quoting four nails, they are either unfamiliar with coastal requirements or cutting corners.

Synthetic Underlayment

CertainTeed recommends their DiamondDeck synthetic underlayment, but any high-quality synthetic underlayment is acceptable. For coastal homes, I strongly recommend synthetic over felt paper. Synthetic underlayment resists moisture absorption, lies flatter, and provides a secondary water barrier that is critical when wind-driven rain penetrates the shingle layer during a storm.

Ice and Water Shield at Vulnerable Points

Even though Myrtle Beach does not experience ice dams, self-adhering ice and water shield membrane should be installed at all valleys, around penetrations (plumbing vents, HVAC curbs, skylights), along eaves, and at roof-to-wall transitions. This provides critical waterproofing at the points most vulnerable to wind-driven rain intrusion during hurricanes and tropical storms.

Starter Strips and Hip/Ridge Products

CertainTeed's SwiftStart starter strip and Ridge Vent products are designed to integrate with the Landmark product line. Using CertainTeed starter strips along all eaves and rakes is essential for wind performance. The starter strip provides the initial adhesive bond point at the most wind-vulnerable location on the roof.

Proper Ventilation

Adequate attic ventilation is critical for shingle longevity in the Myrtle Beach climate. Insufficient ventilation traps heat and moisture, which accelerates granule loss and can void your warranty. CertainTeed requires a minimum of 1 square foot of net free ventilation area for every 150 square feet of attic space (or 1:300 with a balanced intake/exhaust system).

CertainTeed is not the right choice for every homeowner. Here is a straightforward breakdown of who benefits most from choosing CertainTeed and who might be better served by an alternative.

CertainTeed Is a Strong Choice If You:

• Prioritize long-term granule retention and shingle durability in a coastal UV environment
• Want the QuadraBond and ClimateFlex technologies specifically designed for challenging climates
• Can find a certified SELECT ShingleMaster contractor in your area (to access the enhanced warranty)
• Are building or re-roofing a mid-range to high-end home where product quality is a priority over lowest cost
• Want a luxury shingle option (Presidential Shake or Grand Manor) that is not available from all manufacturers
• Value manufacturing consistency and do not want to deal with batch-to-batch quality variations

Consider an Alternative If You:

• Need the absolute lowest cost per square and are not concerned about technology differences
• Prefer the widest possible selection of certified installers (GAF has more in the Myrtle Beach area)
• Need a Class 4 impact-rated shingle at the base product level (Atlas Pinnacle Pristine may be a better starting point)
• Are planning to sell the home within 3 to 5 years and want maximum brand recognition for resale (GAF has stronger consumer awareness)
• Live in an extremely exposed oceanfront position where metal roofing may be a better long-term investment

After installing CertainTeed shingles on hundreds of homes along the Grand Strand and inspecting many more, my overall assessment is that CertainTeed is a top-tier shingle manufacturer with genuine technological advantages for coastal applications.

The QuadraBond adhesive system and ClimateFlex polymer modification are not just marketing features. They translate to measurable differences in wind resistance, granule retention, and long-term durability in our coastal SC climate. The manufacturing consistency is among the best in the industry, and the warranty structure through certified installers is strong.

CertainTeed is not perfect. The slightly higher cost, lower brand recognition, and smaller certified contractor network are real drawbacks. And no asphalt shingle, regardless of brand, will match the wind resistance and lifespan of standing seam metal roofing in a hurricane zone.

But for homeowners who want an asphalt shingle roof on the Grand Strand and are willing to invest in a quality product installed by a certified contractor, CertainTeed Landmark Pro is one of the best options available. It hits the right balance of coastal performance, warranty protection, aesthetic quality, and value.

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 for coastal SC performance. The half-point deduction is for the limited certified contractor availability and the lack of a standard Class 4 impact option in the base Landmark Pro product.