Owens Corning Duration Problems: A Myrtle Beach Roofer's Honest Review (2026)

Before getting into problems, you need to understand what is in the Duration product line. Owens Corning markets several variants, and the differences matter when evaluating complaints.

The SureNail Technology Difference

The defining feature of all Duration shingles is SureNail Technology — a woven engineered fabric strip embedded in the shingle's nailing zone. Owens Corning claims this provides a stronger nail hold and better wind resistance than competing products that rely on adhesive strips alone.

This technology is central to several of the problems we will discuss. The SureNail strip creates a rigid zone in an otherwise flexible shingle, and that rigidity can cause issues — particularly in climates with significant temperature swings, like coastal South Carolina where summer heat exceeds 95 degrees and winter nights drop below freezing.

Granule loss is the single most frequently reported problem with Owens Corning Duration shingles. Some degree of granule shedding is normal on all asphalt shingles — particularly in the first few months after installation. But the volume and timing of granule loss reported on Duration products goes beyond what is typical.

What Homeowners Report

• Excessive granules in gutters within the first 1-3 years — well before normal aging would cause this level of shedding
• Granule loss visible from the ground — dark patches appearing on the roof surface where granules have washed away
• Granules loose in the packaging before installation — contractors reporting an unusual amount of loose granules in new, unopened bundles
• Accelerated granule loss on south-facing slopes — UV exposure appears to worsen the problem significantly
• 9-year-old Duration roofs with granule loss comparable to 20-year-old shingles — multiple homeowner reports of premature aging

Why This Matters in Coastal SC

Granule loss is not just a cosmetic issue. Granules protect the asphalt mat from UV degradation. Once granules are gone, the underlying asphalt deteriorates rapidly. In Myrtle Beach, this is compounded by:

Our observation: In our experience inspecting Duration roofs in the Myrtle Beach area, we see measurably more granule loss on Duration standard versus Duration FLEX on similar-age homes. The SBS-modified asphalt in FLEX appears to hold granules better. If you are set on Owens Corning, this is an important distinction.

The second most documented Duration problem is horizontal cracking that develops along the SureNail strip. This is a structural issue that is relatively unique to Duration shingles because of their construction.

Why Duration Cracks

The SureNail strip is a woven fabric embedded in the shingle to improve nail pull-through resistance. The engineering concept is sound, but it creates a problem: the strip area is more rigid than the rest of the shingle. When a building naturally expands and contracts with temperature changes, the shingle needs to flex slightly. The SureNail strip resists this flexing, and over time, the asphalt can crack along the edge of the rigid strip.

How to Identify Duration Cracking

Duration cracking looks different from normal shingle aging:

• Cracks run horizontally across the shingle, not randomly in multiple directions
• They appear in a consistent line corresponding to the SureNail strip location
• Cracking often starts on the hottest slopes first (south and west)
• The cracks can appear as early as 3-5 years after installation
• Cracked areas often show accelerated granule loss around the crack edges

Important distinction: Not all Duration roofs crack. Proper installation with adequate attic ventilation significantly reduces the risk. We have seen Duration roofs in the Myrtle Beach area that are 12+ years old without cracking — typically on homes with ridge vents, soffit vents, and well-ventilated attic spaces. Poor ventilation is almost always a contributing factor when we see cracking.

Perhaps the most alarming reports involve Duration shingles failing catastrophically within 3 to 7 years of installation. These are not cosmetic complaints — homeowners report shingles curling, cracking, blowing off, and requiring full replacement on roofs that should still be in their prime.

What Premature Failure Looks Like

• Shingle curling: Edges lift and curl upward, creating wind vulnerability and allowing water infiltration
• Tab blow-off: Entire shingle tabs detaching during moderate windstorms, not just hurricanes
• Widespread cracking and splitting: Beyond the SureNail strip issue, some homeowners report general cracking across the entire shingle surface
• Rapid aesthetic deterioration: Color fading, black streaking, and a "worn out" appearance within 5-7 years
• Adhesive strip failure: The self-sealing adhesive not bonding properly, leaving shingles vulnerable to wind uplift

The 2025 Law Firm Investigation

In 2025, the law firm Migliaccio & Rathod LLP opened an investigation into Owens Corning Duration shingle failures, specifically targeting products manufactured between 2013 and 2025. The investigation focuses on:

• Duration shingles failing within 3-7 years of installation
• Whether manufacturing defects are responsible for premature failure
• Whether Owens Corning's warranty process adequately compensates affected homeowners
• Products including Duration, Duration STORM, and Duration Designer variants

This is not the first time Owens Corning has faced legal scrutiny over shingle quality. In 2009, a class action was filed regarding Oakridge Shadow shingles — a different product line, but it established a pattern of quality complaints.

Context: Is This a Widespread Issue?

We want to be fair here. Owens Corning manufactures millions of squares of Duration shingles annually. The percentage of roofs experiencing premature failure is a relatively small fraction of total installations. However, the reports are consistent enough — and the consequences serious enough — that prospective buyers should be aware. In our own work across the Myrtle Beach area, we have seen Duration roofs that are performing well at 15+ years and others that needed replacement before 10. Installation quality and ventilation are almost always factors in the failures we see.

Owens Corning markets Duration shingles with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty." For many homeowners, "lifetime" sounds like "as long as you own the house, you are covered." The reality is significantly more complicated, and warranty disputes are among the most common complaints we hear.

What the Warranty Actually Covers

Common Warranty Complaints

• Proration shock: Homeowners with 8-year-old "lifetime warranty" roofs being offered only 25% of replacement cost. The word "lifetime" creates expectations the actual terms do not support.
• Transfer window voiding: The 60-day warranty transfer requirement catches many homebuyers off guard. If you bought a home with Duration shingles and did not transfer the warranty within 60 days, your coverage may be gone — even if the roof is only a few years old.
• Installation blame: OC frequently attributes failures to improper installation rather than product defects, especially if the installer was not an OC Preferred Contractor. This effectively shifts the burden back to the homeowner.
• "Normal weathering" denial: Claims denied as "normal wear and tear" even when the shingles have failed well ahead of their expected lifespan
• Inspection process delays: Warranty claims requiring OC-approved inspectors, long wait times, and multiple rounds of documentation

How to Strengthen Your Warranty Position

• Register your warranty immediately after installation — do not assume the contractor did it
• Keep all installation documentation: contract, invoice, permits, inspection reports
• Photograph your roof annually from the ground and keep dated files
• If you buy a home with Duration shingles, transfer the warranty within 60 days of closing
• Use an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor for installation when possible — this can affect claim outcomes
• If a claim is denied, request the denial in writing and consider an independent inspection

Most reviews of Duration shingles are written from a national perspective. Coastal South Carolina presents specific challenges that make some Duration problems more pronounced — and others less relevant.

Coastal Factors That Affect Duration Performance

Realistic Duration Lifespan in Coastal SC

Owens Corning markets Duration with a "Limited Lifetime Warranty," but warranty duration is not the same as expected lifespan. Based on our experience inspecting Duration roofs across the Grand Strand:

• Duration Standard: 15-20 years realistic lifespan in coastal SC (vs. 25-30 marketed)
• Duration FLEX: 18-23 years realistic lifespan in coastal SC
• Duration STORM: 16-21 years realistic lifespan in coastal SC

These estimates assume proper installation with 6-nail pattern and adequate attic ventilation. Poor ventilation or 4-nail installation can reduce lifespan by 3-5 years. For a deeper look at how long different materials last here, read our complete roof lifespan guide for coastal SC.

An honest review means acknowledging strengths, not just problems. Owens Corning Duration is not a bad product across the board. Here are situations where Duration makes sense:

Duration's Genuine Strengths

• SureNail nail-pull resistance: Despite the cracking issue, the SureNail strip does provide superior nail hold. In pull-through tests, Duration nails require more force to extract than standard asphalt shingles. This matters in wind events.
• Weight and durability of the mat: Duration uses a heavier fiberglass mat than many competing products, which contributes to overall durability when other factors (ventilation, installation) are right
• Manufacturer reputation and availability: Owens Corning is a stable, well-capitalized company. Replacement shingles are widely available for repairs, which is not always the case with smaller manufacturers.
• StreakGuard algae resistance: The algae-resistant granule technology works well. Duration roofs in Myrtle Beach show less black streaking than many competitors at the same age.

If you are considering Duration but concerned about the documented problems, here is how it compares to the three main alternatives for coastal South Carolina homes.

Our Recommendation for Coastal SC

For homes within 10 miles of the Myrtle Beach coast, our top recommendation is Atlas Pinnacle Pristine or CertainTeed Landmark Pro. Both use SBS-modified asphalt as standard (not as a premium upgrade), have lower rates of documented complaints, and offer better algae resistance for our humid environment.

If you prefer Owens Corning, choose Duration FLEX over standard Duration or Duration STORM. The SBS modification addresses the thermal cycling issue that causes cracking in our climate. For a head-to-head comparison with the other leading brand, read our detailed Owens Corning vs GAF comparison.

If you want the highest wind resistance and are considering metal, see our metal roofing materials guide for coastal SC.

If you have Owens Corning Duration shingles and you are seeing granule loss, cracking, or other signs of premature failure, here is a step-by-step guide for protecting yourself.

Whether you currently have Duration shingles or you are buying a home with a Duration roof, here is what to inspect. You can check most of these from the ground with binoculars.

For a comprehensive roof inspection checklist beyond Duration-specific issues, see our complete shingle roof inspection checklist for Myrtle Beach.

To put the current Duration investigation in context, here is a brief history of legal actions related to Owens Corning shingle products.

What This Means for Homeowners

• If you have a failing Duration roof: Document your issues, file a warranty claim, and consider contacting the investigating law firm. These are separate processes and doing both protects your interests.
• If you are considering buying Duration: The investigation does not mean Duration is definitively defective — it means there are enough complaints to warrant investigation. Factor this into your decision alongside the product's strengths.
• If you are buying a home with a Duration roof: Get an independent inspection, verify the roof's age, and transfer the warranty within 60 days of closing.

Our position: We continue to install Duration FLEX for customers who specifically request Owens Corning products, but we make sure they understand the documented issues and warranty limitations. Transparency is more important than any manufacturer relationship.

After installing, inspecting, and replacing Owens Corning Duration shingles for years in coastal South Carolina, here is our honest summary:

The roofing industry — like most industries — has no perfect product. Every shingle brand has some documented complaints. What matters is choosing the product that best matches your specific situation: your location, your budget, your home's ventilation, and how long you plan to stay. Do not make decisions based on brand marketing alone. Get multiple opinions, ask for specifics about warranty coverage, and insist on proper installation.