CertainTeed Landmark shingles come up in a lot of our quotes, often because a neighbour has them or a homeowner has seen a colour board and liked the look. They are one of the best-known laminated architectural shingle lines in North America, and they are a sound choice for many GTA homes. But a brand name on a quote tells you less than you might think. How the shingle is installed, which accessories go with it and how the warranty is registered make as much difference as the shingle itself.
This is a contractor’s overview: what the Landmark family is, how the laminated construction works, what to look for in the features and colours, what matters during installation, and how to read the warranty without relying on anyone’s summary, including ours.
What CertainTeed Landmark Shingles Are
CertainTeed Landmark shingles are laminated asphalt shingles, sometimes called architectural or dimensional shingles. Each shingle is built from two layers bonded together: a full-width base layer and a top layer with tabs cut in an irregular pattern. When the shingles are laid, the pattern of the upper tabs and the shadow of the base layer create a textured, random look that reads more like wood shakes than the flat grid of old three-tab shingles.
Like most modern asphalt shingles, they are built on a fibreglass mat saturated and coated with asphalt, with mineral granules pressed into the top surface for colour and UV protection. A factory-applied sealant strip bonds each course to the one below once the sun warms the roof, which is what holds the shingles down in wind.
Laminated shingles replaced three-tab as the default choice on most residential roofs years ago, for good reasons: the double layer gives a heavier, stiffer shingle, the random pattern hides minor deck irregularities, and the look suits most house styles. If you are planning a full roof replacement, an architectural shingle like Landmark is likely to be on the table whichever brand you choose.
Here is how laminated shingles such as CertainTeed Landmark shingles generally compare with the three-tab shingles found on many older GTA roofs:
| Characteristic | Three-tab shingles | Laminated shingles such as Landmark |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Single layer with evenly cut tabs | Two bonded layers with irregular top tabs |
| Appearance | Flat, uniform grid | Dimensional, shake-like shadow lines |
| Weight | Lighter | Heavier and stiffer per square |
| Hiding deck irregularities | Shows waves and dips more readily | Random pattern disguises minor unevenness |
| Wind performance | Generally lower ratings | Generally higher ratings when nailed correctly |
| Availability | Increasingly limited | Mainstream choice for residential roofs |
The Landmark Family: How The Lines Differ
CertainTeed sells several shingles under the Landmark name, and the lineup and colour availability vary by market and change over time. The two you are most likely to be quoted in Ontario are Landmark and Landmark Pro. Other variants have been offered in the family, such as products aimed at impact resistance, solar reflectance or a thicker triple-laminate look, but availability in Canada should be confirmed with CertainTeed or your contractor before you plan around one.
| Product | How it is generally positioned | What to confirm on the data sheet |
|---|---|---|
| Landmark | Core laminated architectural shingle in the family | Weight per square, colour list, wind rating, warranty class |
| Landmark Pro | Step up from standard Landmark, generally heavier with a broader or higher-contrast colour range | Weight difference, colour list, how warranty terms compare |
| Specialty Landmark variants | Targeted features such as impact resistance or reflectivity | Canadian availability, any insurance or code relevance |
| Matching accessories | Starter, hip and ridge, underlayment and ventilation from the same maker | Which accessories are needed for system warranty coverage |
We describe Landmark Pro cautiously on purpose. Manufacturers revise specifications, and the most reliable comparison is the current product data sheet for each shingle, side by side. Look at the weight per square, the listed wind resistance, the standards the shingle is tested to, and the warranty class. If a quote says “Landmark” without specifying which one, ask.
Features Worth Understanding
The nailing zone
Correct nail placement is one of the biggest factors in how well any shingle resists wind. Nails placed too high miss the double-thickness area where the two layers overlap; nails placed too low show or let water in. CertainTeed has marked a wider, clearly defined nailing area on some Landmark products under the name NailTrak, intended to make accurate nailing easier for installers. Whether a particular shingle has it, and exactly how the zone is defined, is shown on the product packaging and data sheet. It helps, but it is not a substitute for a careful crew.
Algae resistance
The black streaks you see on older north-facing roofs are usually algae. Many CertainTeed Landmark shingles are sold with algae-resistant granules in at least some colours. Coverage for algae staining, where offered, is usually a separate and shorter term within the warranty, and it can differ by product and colour, so check the specific colour you choose.
Weight and thickness
Heavier laminated shingles tend to lie flatter, hide deck imperfections better and feel more substantial. Weight is listed per square (the amount of shingle that covers 100 square feet). It is worth comparing, but it is only one factor; installation quality and ventilation matter more to how long a roof lasts.
Choosing A Colour That Works On Your House
Colour is the decision homeowners spend the most time on when choosing CertainTeed Landmark shingles, and it is worth doing properly. A few practical tips from years of watching roofs go on:
- Look at full-size samples outdoors. Brochure swatches and screens misrepresent colour. Hold a real shingle against your brick or siding in daylight, ideally at different times of day.
- See a finished roof. Blended colours read very differently across a whole roof than on one shingle. Ask for addresses of completed roofs in the same colour you can view from the street.
- Consider the whole exterior. The roof is the largest single colour surface on most houses. Think about brick, stone, trim, eavestroughs and window frames together.
- Think about heat and snow. Darker shingles absorb more heat in summer and shed snow slightly sooner on sunny days. Lighter colours stay cooler. On a well-ventilated attic the difference is modest, but it is real.
- Check neighbourhood rules. Some condominium corporations and heritage areas restrict roof colours.
Installation Notes That Decide How The Roof Performs
We tell every client the same thing: a good shingle badly installed will fail before a modest shingle installed well. With CertainTeed Landmark shingles, the manufacturer’s installation instructions are detailed, and following them is also a condition of warranty coverage. These are the points we pay most attention to.
| Installation item | Why it matters | What to ask your contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Deck condition | Soft or damaged sheathing causes nail pops and uneven lines | How will damaged deck boards be identified and priced? |
| Eave protection | Ice and water membrane at the eaves guards against ice dam backup | How far up the roof will membrane run, and in valleys? |
| Underlayment | Secondary barrier under the shingles | Which underlayment, and is it one the manufacturer accepts? |
| Starter course | Seals the first row and resists wind uplift at the edges | Are you using a proper starter strip at eaves and rakes? |
| Nailing pattern | Holds shingles in wind; steep slopes and high-wind areas need more nails | Which pattern from the instructions will you use, and why? |
| Flashing | Chimneys, walls and skylights are the usual leak points | Will flashing be replaced or reused? |
| Ventilation | Balanced intake and exhaust protects shingles and deck | How will soffit intake and ridge or roof vents be balanced? |
| Hip and ridge | Finishes the roof and covers the ridge vent | Are matching hip and ridge caps included? |
Cold-weather installs
Sealant strips need warmth and sun to bond. Early autumn is generally a comfortable time to install. Later in the season, when temperatures stay low, shingles may not seal until spring, and the instructions describe steps such as hand-sealing in some conditions. Ask your contractor how they handle late-season jobs.
Low slopes
Asphalt shingles are designed for sloped roofs. On low-slope sections, the instructions call for additional underlayment measures, and below a certain pitch shingles are not appropriate at all. Porches and additions with shallow pitches are where we most often recommend a different system, such as a flat roofing membrane, rather than stretching a shingle beyond its limits.
Ventilation and the attic
Shingle manufacturers commonly tie warranty coverage to proper attic ventilation. A hot, humid attic shortens shingle life and can lead to deck problems and frost in winter. A replacement is the right time to check soffit intake, exhaust, insulation and air sealing. Our attic insulation and ventilation work is often done alongside a new roof for this reason.
Mistakes we see on laminated roofs
When we are called to look at a leaking or blown-off laminated roof, whatever the brand, the causes are usually the same short list: nails driven high above the nailing zone or over-driven through the mat, a missing or upside-down starter strip, step flashing reused from the old roof and bent out of shape, valleys cut without enough membrane under them, and attics with blocked soffit vents. None of those are shingle defects, and most would void manufacturer coverage. They are the reason we spend so much of this article on installation rather than on the shingle.
Reading The Warranty The Right Way
We will not quote warranty figures in this article, and you should be cautious of anyone who summarizes them loosely. CertainTeed’s warranties are detailed legal documents, the terms differ between products and between standard and extended system coverage, and they are revised over time. What we can say in general terms:
- There is a standard limited warranty on the shingles themselves, with an initial period of stronger coverage followed by reduced coverage. The exact lengths and what is covered are in the current warranty document.
- Extended coverage is typically available when a full system of qualifying CertainTeed components is installed, sometimes only through contractors holding a CertainTeed credential, and it may require registration.
- Wind and algae coverage are usually separate items with their own terms and conditions.
- Installation according to the instructions, including ventilation, is generally a condition of coverage.
- Transferability to a new owner, if offered, usually has its own rules and time limits.
Before signing a quote for CertainTeed Landmark shingles, ask the contractor which warranty level your job will qualify for, whether it needs registration and who registers it, and get a copy of the current warranty document from CertainTeed’s Canadian website. Keep it with your invoice. Separately, ask what workmanship coverage the contractor provides in writing, since manufacturer warranties generally exclude installation errors.
Is Landmark The Right Shingle For Your Home?
For most detached and semi-detached homes with a conventional pitched roof, CertainTeed Landmark shingles are a reasonable, well-supported choice. They make particular sense when:
- You want the dimensional look of an architectural shingle at a mainstream price.
- Your contractor installs the line regularly and can offer the system warranty.
- You like a colour that suits your brick or siding in person.
You might look elsewhere if you need a very low-slope solution, want the heavier look of a designer shingle, or have a heritage property where slate, cedar or metal is expected. Comparable laminated shingles from other major manufacturers are also sound options; in practice, the crew and the details matter more than the logo on the bundle. Our York Region roofing, eavestroughs and attic work team installs and repairs laminated shingle roofs regularly and can walk you through the options.
As for cost, a full replacement with laminated shingles depends heavily on roof size, pitch, layers to remove, deck repairs, flashing and ventilation work. As a broad estimate that varies by house and scope, a complete re-roof on a typical detached GTA house often falls somewhere in the range of roughly $10,000 to $22,000, with larger, steeper or more complicated roofs well above that. Only a measured, written quote gives a real number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these laminated or three-tab shingles?
What is the difference between Landmark and Landmark Pro?
How long is the warranty?
Can they be installed in autumn?
Do they resist algae streaks?
Can new shingles go over my old roof?
Planning A Roof With CertainTeed Landmark Shingles?
If CertainTeed Landmark shingles are on your shortlist, the best next step is a proper roof assessment: deck, flashing, ventilation and the eaves, not just a shingle count. Universal Roofs will explain which Landmark product suits your roof, what the installation includes and how the manufacturer’s warranty applies to your job.
Call us today at (416) 732-2421 or request a free estimate.
Serving homeowners in York Region and across the wider GTA.