Roofing Materials Guide

The shingles, underlayments, flashings, and ventilation we actually install on Northwoods homes — what each one does, why we chose it, and where to find every official manufacturer color chart. CertainTeed is our top recommendation, and four generations in the trade is why we know the difference.

Manufacturer Certifications

CertainTeedMaster Craftsman

Highest CertainTeed credential — awarded for verified workmanship and installer training.

CertainTeedShingleMaster

CertainTeed ShingleMaster credentialed contractor — qualified to offer SureStart™ PLUS extended warranty coverage.

GAFGAF Certified Contractor

Factory-certified to install GAF Timberline systems and extended GAF warranty coverage.

Owens CorningPreferred Contractor

Owens Corning Roofing Preferred status — vetted, insured and certified for Duration systems.

Certifications held by Roof Masters.

Our Top Recommendation

Why CertainTeed is our go-to shingle

We install every major manufacturer, but CertainTeed has earned our trust for Northwoods homes. The Landmark PRO line delivers the widest color range, the heaviest weight specs, and the strongest warranty package — backed by our Master Craftsman and ShingleMaster credentials. When our own crew picks the shingle that performs best through Wisconsin winters, CertainTeed wins.

Thicker, heavier laminate

More asphalt and tougher impact resistance.

Max Def color blends

Deeper contrast and richer shadow lines.

SureStart™ warranty

Non-prorated coverage up to 50 years.

Widest palette

22+ colors that match lake-home siding.

The shingles we install

Three manufacturers, three good answers. Here is what separates them and where to see every available color straight from the source.

CertainTeed

Top Pick

Landmark · Landmark PRO (Max Def)

Our first recommendation for Northwoods homes. Landmark is a two-piece laminate shingle with more asphalt per square than most competitors, and the Max Def color blends give a roof real depth instead of a flat, painted look. Backed by our Master Craftsman and ShingleMaster credentials, we can offer CertainTeed's strongest system warranties.

Construction: Two-piece laminate, heavyweight fiberglass mat
Wind rating: Up to 130 mph with proper installation
Algae protection: StreakFighter® copper granules
Warranty: Lifetime limited with SureStart™ non-prorated coverage

Best for: Lake homes, steep pitches, and anyone who wants the best long-term value.

For the exact color chart, see CertainTeed's official Landmark color chart.

GAF

Timberline HDZ

America's best-selling architectural shingle. The LayerLock nailing zone makes for a fast, consistent install, and availability is excellent, so it is a strong pick when a job needs to move quickly. We are a GAF Certified Contractor, which unlocks extended GAF warranty coverage.

Construction: Laminate with LayerLock™ Dura Grip adhesive
Wind rating: WindProven™ limited wind warranty, no maximum wind speed
Algae protection: StainGuard Plus™ — 25-year algae warranty
Warranty: Lifetime limited; extended options through GAF certification

Best for: Rentals, outbuildings, and budget-conscious full replacements.

For the exact color chart, see GAF's official Timberline HDZ color chart.

Owens Corning

TruDefinition Duration

Known for SureNail Technology — a woven fabric strip in the nailing zone that improves fastener holding power — and for the highest-contrast color platform of the three. On a steep Northwoods pitch, those deeper shadow lines read beautifully from the driveway. We hold Preferred Contractor status with Owens Corning.

Construction: Laminate with SureNail® reinforced nailing strip
Wind rating: Up to 130 mph with proper installation
Algae protection: StreakGuard™ algae resistance
Warranty: Limited lifetime; upgraded coverage through Preferred status

Best for: Homeowners who want maximum color contrast and dimension.

For the exact color chart, see Owens Corning's official TruDefinition Duration color chart.

What goes under the shingles

A roof is a system. The shingle is the part you see; these are the parts that decide whether it lasts through twenty Northwoods winters.

Ice & water shield

A self-sealing membrane along eaves, valleys, and penetrations. In the Northwoods this is not optional — it is the single most important defense against ice dam backup.

Synthetic underlayment

Replaces old felt paper. It lays flatter, will not wrinkle when it gets wet, and stands up to wind exposure while the roof is being installed.

Starter strip & ridge cap

Factory starter at the eaves and rakes plus matching hip and ridge cap. Cut-up three-tabs used as starter are a warranty problem waiting to happen.

Ridge & intake ventilation

Balanced ridge vent paired with clear soffit intake. Without intake air, the attic cooks in summer and sweats in winter, which shortens shingle life dramatically.

Step & counter flashing

New metal at every wall, chimney, and sidewall. We do not reuse old flashing to save a few dollars — that is where most leaks start.

Pipe boots & metal accessories

Fresh boots, drip edge, and valley metal on every replacement so the whole system ages at the same rate as the shingle.

How to pick a color you will still like

We bring physical samples to your home so you can hold them against your siding and stone. Four generations of doing this has taught us that a color chart on a screen and a finished roof at 4pm in October are two very different things.

Look at samples outside, at the house, at two different times of day. Northwoods pine shade changes a color completely between morning and late afternoon.
Match the roof to the permanent parts of the home — stone, brick, and window trim — not to paint you may change in five years.
Darker colors hide pine debris and read well on lodge-style homes. Lighter blends keep an attic cooler and show less fading over time.
Order a physical sample board before you commit. Screens and printed charts never match the finished roof exactly.

See the samples in person

Northwoods light changes with the seasons, and a color that looks right on screen can read very differently under pine shade. We bring physical shingle samples to your home so you can choose with confidence — free, with no pressure.

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