Real Great Roofing is a Certified Roofing Installer in Washington state
The Complete Shingle Guide
for Seattle Metro
Every shingle we install explained honestly. Strip to premium, standard to Class 4 impact-rated. Here is what each product is, who it is for, and why algae-resistant shingles matter in Seattle's climate.
Serving Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Sammamish, Issaquah, Totem Lake, Woodinville, Kenmore, and all of King and Snohomish County.
How Shingles Are Classified
Strip, Dimensional & Premium — What the Categories Mean
The roofing industry classifies asphalt shingles into three tiers. Understanding the categories is the foundation for understanding every specific product in the CertainTeed lineup.
Strip Shingles
e.g. XT 25
Strip shingles are the original asphalt shingle — single-layered, flat, and designed to mimic the look of slate at the lowest possible price point. They are the lightest roofing shingle available and carry the most basic warranties. CertainTeed's XT 25 is the canonical strip product. On the Eastside and throughout the Seattle Metro, strip shingles are rarely specified for new residential installations today; they have been largely replaced by dimensional shingles that offer more protection, longer warranties, and a richer appearance. Where strip shingles remain appropriate is on outbuildings, accessory structures, and budget-constrained projects where lifespan expectations are shorter.
Dimensional / Architectural Shingles
e.g. Landmark AR, Landmark PRO AR, Landmark ClimateFlex AR
Dimensional shingles — also called architectural or laminate shingles — are the most-installed roofing product in North America. They are manufactured as dual-layer bonded products, creating a thicker, contoured profile that reads as multi-dimensional from the street. Compared to strip shingles, dimensional products are heavier, carry significantly improved warranties (30-year to lifetime), and deliver meaningfully better wind and weather resistance. The Landmark family represents the core of what CertainTeed offers in this category — from the entry-level Landmark AR to the upgraded Landmark PRO AR and the climate-engineered Landmark ClimateFlex AR.
Premium Shingles
e.g. Presidential Shake TL AR, Grand Manor AR, Carriage House AR
Premium shingles are laminated architectural products engineered to replicate old-world roofing materials — natural cedar shake, hand-split shake, carriage house wood shingle, and cut slate — at a fraction of the maintenance burden those materials carry in the Pacific Northwest. These products are manufactured with three or four bonded layers, producing deep shadow lines and dimensional profiles that standard architectural shingles cannot achieve. Many premium products are also available in Class 4 impact-resistant variants, adding structural performance on top of their visual and aesthetic advantage. For Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, and Sammamish homeowners who want a high-end appearance with modern durability, premium shingles are the correct category.
Head to Head
Landmark vs. Landmark Pro — Key Differences
Both are dimensional architectural shingles in the same product family. The Landmark is the right call for standard replacements; the Pro makes sense when the upgrade cost translates to visible curb appeal and warranty improvement.
| Feature | Landmark AR | Landmark PRO AR |
|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 30-year limited | Lifetime limited |
| Weight | ~225 lbs/sq | ~240 lbs/sq |
| Wind Resistance | 110 mph | 110 mph |
| Algae Resistant | Available (AR line) | Available (AR line) |
| Shadow Line | Standard dimensional | Deeper / richer |
| Color Depth | Standard palette | Enhanced granule blend |
| Best For | Standard replacement | Curb appeal upgrade |
Complete Product List
Every Shingle We Carry
All our shingles come in many various colors that may not be seen below. These images are for a visual reference on the shingle pattern and might look slightly different in-person.
Patriot XL
Dimensional
Landmark AR
ARDimensional
Landmark Solaris AR
ARDimensional
Landmark ClimateFlex AR
ARTLDimensional
Landmark PRO AR
ARDimensional
NorthGate ClimateFlex AR
ARTLDimensional
Presidential Shake AR
ARPremium
Presidential Shake Non-AR
Premium
Landmark Premium AR
ARTLDimensional
Landmark TL AR
ARTLDimensional
Landmark TL Non-AR
TLDimensional
Presidential Shake TL Non-AR
TLPremium
Presidential Shake TL AR
ARTLPremium
Highland Slate AR
ARPremium
Carriage House AR
ARPremium
Grand Manor AR
ARPremium
AR = Algae Resistant (StreakFighter® copper granules) · TL = Class 4 Impact Resistant (UL 2218) · All products are CertainTeed.
Not sure which shingle is right for your home?
We walk you through the decision during your free inspection — no pressure, no upsell.
Visual Comparison
All Shingles — Durability vs. Luxury
Every CertainTeed shingle we install, positioned by two dimensions. Yellow labels are our most frequently purchased products.
Luxury · High Durability
Standard · High Durability
Luxury
Standard
Understanding the Ratings
AR vs. TL — What Those Letters Actually Mean
AR and TL are performance designations that appear across CertainTeed's product line. They describe two completely different types of protection — algae resistance and impact resistance — and both matter in the Pacific Northwest.
AR — Algae Resistant
AR shingles embed copper granules into the ceramic coating layer. In Seattle's climate — overcast skies from October through April, sustained moisture, and frequent canopy shade from Douglas firs and cedars — standard shingles develop blue-green algae streaking within 5 to 10 years. The copper granules in AR shingles release trace amounts of copper oxide that inhibit algae colonization, typically maintaining a clean appearance for 10 to 15 years post-installation. On virtually every home we install in King and Snohomish County, we specify AR as the default — not an upgrade. The incremental cost is negligible relative to the cleaning costs and shingle wear that algae growth causes.
TL — Class 4 Impact Resistant
TL stands for Class 4 impact resistance under UL 2218 testing — the highest rating available. The UL 2218 test drops a 2-inch steel ball from 20 feet onto the shingle; Class 4 products show no damage. TL shingles are manufactured with modified polymer matrices that absorb impact energy rather than cracking. In the Pacific Northwest context, TL shingles are relevant for: homes with heavy tree coverage where branch drop is a risk, properties in the Bothell/Snohomish corridor that see mixed precipitation hail events, and any homeowner whose insurance carrier offers a Class 4 premium discount. We document the installed product for your insurer on every TL installation.
Our Recommended Shingles
Our Most Commonly Purchased Shingles in Seattle
These are the products we reach for most often for Seattle Metro homeowners — across entry-level, mid-range, premium, and high-performance categories.
Patriot XL
The Patriot XL is CertainTeed's entry-level architectural (dimensional) shingle — a dual-layer laminated product that provides a genuine dimensional profile at the most accessible price point in the architectural category. It carries a solid warranty and wind resistance appropriate for many Seattle-area applications. For homeowners who need an architectural shingle on a tight budget — or for outbuildings and lower-visibility structures on larger properties — Patriot XL is the correct specification. It is a step up from strip shingles in both performance and appearance.
Landmark ClimateFlex AR
Built for homeowners who expect exceptional performance, Landmark ClimateFlex combines timeless aesthetics with innovative roofing technology. Its polymer-modified asphalt construction delivers outstanding durability — helping the roof withstand hail, high winds, and the changing weather patterns the Seattle Metro sees year-round. The advanced formulation improves granule adhesion for lasting curb appeal while maintaining flexibility during cold-weather installation, making it significantly less prone to cracking than conventional shingles. With Class 4 impact resistance and reliable all-season protection, ClimateFlex AR is our go-to recommendation for homeowners who want premium, long-lasting peace of mind.
Presidential Shake AR
The Presidential Shake AR replicates the shadow depth and texture of hand-split cedar shake roofing in a laminated composite product. It delivers the dramatic shadow lines and natural wood aesthetic associated with shake roofing without the biological maintenance burden that actual cedar accumulates in Washington's persistent moisture — moss growth, splitting, and accelerated decay. For craftsman, Tudor, and Pacific Northwest-style homes in Kirkland, Redmond, and the older neighborhoods of Bellevue, Presidential Shake AR delivers authentic shake aesthetics with a modern product lifespan. Algae-resistant as standard.
Landmark Premium AR
Landmark Premium AR occupies the step between the core Landmark line and the full presidential profiles. It carries an enhanced limited lifetime warranty, heavier shingle weight, and richer color depth than the standard Landmark — without the full premium pricing of the presidential shake or slate profiles. For homeowners who want a meaningful upgrade from base architectural performance and curb appeal but are not looking to replicate wood shake or slate aesthetics, Landmark Premium AR is the best value position. Algae-resistant as standard.
Presidential Shake TL AR
Presidential Shake TL AR combines CertainTeed's premium hand-split shake profile with Class 4 impact resistance under UL 2218 — the highest impact rating available. It is the top-of-line specification for any homeowner who wants maximum visual impact (deep shake texture, bold shadow lines) and maximum structural protection from hail, branch impact, and wind-driven debris. Many Washington state homeowners' insurance carriers offer premium discounts of 10 to 30 percent for Class 4 roofing; we document the installation for your insurer at no charge. Algae-resistant as standard.
Carriage House AR
Carriage House AR replicates the appearance of cut wood shingles — smaller, more uniform tabs than shake — a profile historically common on Tudor, cottage, and late-Victorian homes throughout the older neighborhoods of Kirkland, Totem Lake, and east Bellevue. At 390 lbs per square, it is a heavy, durable product with strong visual texture. For homeowners restoring a historic home whose original profile was wood shingle rather than cedar shake, Carriage House AR delivers period-accurate aesthetics without the maintenance that wood demands in Seattle's climate. Algae-resistant as standard.
Grand Manor AR
Grand Manor AR is CertainTeed's four-layer laminated slate-look shingle and the most visually impressive product in the lineup. At 465 lbs per square — more than double a standard architectural shingle — Grand Manor delivers the weight, shadow depth, and dimensional complexity of genuine cut slate without slate's structural loading requirements or installation cost. For high-value homes in Medina, Clyde Hill, Mercer Island, and the waterfront neighborhoods of Bellevue and Kirkland, Grand Manor AR is the correct specification when visual impact and curb appeal are the primary priorities. Algae-resistant as standard.
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Head to Head
Landmark ClimateFlex AR vs. Presidential Shake TL AR
Both are algae-resistant products we frequently install on Seattle Metro homes — but they serve very different priorities. ClimateFlex is a cold-weather-optimized dimensional shingle; Presidential Shake TL AR is a premium, Class 4 impact-rated product with a cedar shake profile. Here is how they stack up.
| Feature | Landmark ClimateFlex AR | Presidential Shake TL AR |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Dimensional | Premium |
| Profile / Look | Architectural dimensional | Cedar shake / hand-split look |
| Impact Resistance | Class 4 TL (UL 2218) | Class 4 TL (UL 2218) |
| Algae Resistant | Yes (AR) | Yes (AR) |
| Cold Weather | Polymer-modified — flexible at low temps, less prone to cracking | Standard cold-weather performance |
| Weight | ~225 lbs / square | ~430 lbs / square |
| Wind Resistance | 110 mph | 110 mph |
| Warranty | 30-year limited | Lifetime limited |
| Price Tier | Mid-range | Premium |
| Best For | Homes with freeze-thaw exposure, budget-conscious performance upgrade | Max curb appeal + hail protection, high-value homes |
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