Asphalt Shingles That Actually Last in North Idaho
5 product lines. Class 3 and 4 impact ratings. Algae protection that works for 25-30 years. Here's what we install and why.
Why We Switched to CertainTeed
Most roofing companies pick their shingle brand based on whoever gives them the best dealer pricing. We did that for a while too. Then we started getting callbacks — algae streaks showing up after 6-7 years, granule loss on shingles that were supposed to last 30, warranty claims that went nowhere because the manufacturer's fine print was written by lawyers, not roofers.
CertainTeed costs a little more at the supply house. That part is true. But the Landmark line has a few things the budget brands don't — a 4-point adhesive bond instead of the standard 2, copper-infused granules that actually prevent algae instead of just slowing it down, and a warranty program that doesn't require you to hire a lawyer to file a claim.
We install 5 lines from the CertainTeed Landmark family. Each one is built on the same platform, but they're tuned for different situations — budget, cold weather, hail zones, or curb appeal. Here's the full breakdown.
Landmark
The base of the lineup. Dual-layer construction, Class 3 impact rating, and the widest color selection in the industry. This is what goes on most of the roofs we do.
Landmark is a dual-layer laminated shingle that gives you the dimensional look of a much more expensive roof without the price tag. The two-piece fiberglass construction creates natural shadow lines that make your roof look like it was installed one shake at a time.
It carries a UL 2218 Class 3 impact rating, which means it's been tested against 1.75-inch steel balls dropped from 20 feet. That matters in North Idaho because most insurance companies will give you a premium discount for Class 3 or higher.
Available Colors
Black Walnut
Burnt Sienna
Charcoal Black
Cobblestone Gray
Colonial Slate
Driftwood
Georgetown Gray
Granite Gray
Heather Blend
Moire Black
Pewter
Resawn Shake
Silver Birch
Weathered WoodLandmark TL
Three layers instead of two. Heavier, thicker, and rated Class 4 for impact. This is what we recommend if you want the wood shake look without the wood shake problems.
The TL stands for Triple Laminate — three bonded layers instead of the standard two. The extra layer adds weight, which means better wind resistance, and it creates a deeper shadow line that genuinely mimics the look of hand-split wood shake.
The big difference from the base Landmark is the impact rating. TL carries a UL 2218 Class 4 — the highest rating available. That's the one insurance companies care about most. In hail-prone areas of North Idaho, Class 4 shingles can reduce your premium by 10-28% depending on your carrier.
It also comes with CertainTeed's ClimateFlex polymer technology in the asphalt, which keeps the shingle flexible in cold weather. A shingle that stays pliable at 20 below is less likely to crack during installation or from thermal cycling.
Available Colors
Country Gray
Max Def Black Walnut
Moire Black
ShenandoahLandmark PRO
Heavier than the standard Landmark with Max Def color technology for richer, more vibrant tones. The 30-year StreakFighter warranty is 5 years longer than the base line.
Landmark PRO is the step up from the base Landmark for homeowners who want more color depth and a heavier shingle. It uses CertainTeed's Max Def color technology — a richer blend of surface granules that creates a more dramatic, multi-toned appearance.
From a performance standpoint, it outweighs the standard Landmark, which translates to better wind resistance and a thicker profile on the roof. The StreakFighter algae warranty jumps from 25 to 30 years, and it carries the same Class 3 impact rating.
This is the line we install most often when homeowners care about curb appeal. The Max Def colors have a visual depth that the standard palette doesn't match — especially the darker tones like Moire Black and Colonial Slate.
Available Colors — Max Def
Charcoal Black
Moire Black
Cobblestone Gray
Georgetown Gray
Colonial Slate
Weathered Wood
Driftwood
Burnt Sienna
Resawn Shake
Pewter
Coastal Blue
EspressoLandmark ClimateFlex
Class 4 impact. Cold-weather polymer technology. This is the shingle we spec for homeowners in hail zones who also deal with subzero winters.
This is probably the most relevant shingle in the lineup for North Idaho. ClimateFlex uses a modified polymer asphalt that stays flexible in extreme cold. Standard asphalt shingles get brittle when temperatures drop below freezing — and brittle shingles crack. That's why you see so many roofs up here with split shingles after a hard winter.
ClimateFlex doesn't do that. The rubber-like polymer formula keeps the shingle pliable even at -20°F, which means it absorbs impact instead of fracturing. That's also why it carries the Class 4 impact rating — the highest available. Your insurance company will notice.
If you live in Sandpoint, Athol, or anywhere along the northern corridor where winter temps regularly hit single digits, this is the shingle worth looking at. The upfront cost difference over the base Landmark pays for itself in reduced insurance premiums and fewer cold-weather failures.
Available Colors
Burnt Sienna
Colonial Slate
Heather Blend
Moire Black
Resawn Shake
Weathered WoodPresidential Shake
CertainTeed's luxury line. Multi-layer construction that replicates the look of hand-split cedar shake without the rot, insects, or fire risk that comes with real wood.
Presidential Shake is the top of the CertainTeed asphalt line. It's a multi-layer laminate designed to look like hand-split cedar shake — the kind of roof you see on high-end mountain homes. The difference is that it's fiberglass-based asphalt instead of real wood, so you skip the maintenance, fire risk, and insect problems that come with actual shake.
The shingle uses a unique locking system during installation that holds each piece tighter than standard nail-and-seal methods. Combined with the Class 3 impact rating and UL Class A fire resistance, it gives you the premium look with genuine structural protection.
It carries a 50-year warranty for commercial applications and lifetime for residential. The 30-year StreakFighter warranty matches the Landmark PRO. If you want the most dramatic, high-end shingle roof possible without going to synthetic slate or metal, this is it.
Available Colors
Aged Bark
Autumn Blend
Charcoal Black
Country Gray
Shadow Gray
Weathered WoodWhat's Actually Inside These Shingles
Six technologies built into the Landmark family that you won't find in the budget brands. This is what separates a shingle that lasts from one that just looks like it will.
NailTrak
A high-visibility nailing zone printed directly on the shingle with three defined lines. It tells the installer exactly where to drive the nail — which is what determines whether your shingles stay put in 110 mph winds or end up in your neighbor's yard.
QuadraBond
Four-point adhesive bonding between layers. Most shingles use a two-point bond. The extra adhesion points mean the layers are significantly less likely to delaminate — which is the failure mode where the top layer peels away from the base in high winds.
StreakFighter
Copper-infused granules blended into the surface layer. Copper is a natural algicide — it prevents the Gloeocapsa magma algae that causes those black streaks you see on roofs all over the Northwest. Warranted for 25-30 years depending on the product line.
CertaSeal
A fast-activating thermal sealant strip that bonds shingles together once the sun warms them. Unlike harder sealants that crack and fail over time, CertaSeal stays flexible — which matters in Idaho where roof temperatures swing 100+ degrees between seasons.
Solaris CoolRoof
Reflective granule technology available in select colors. Bounces solar radiation instead of absorbing it, which lowers attic temperature and reduces cooling costs. Available on Landmark and Landmark PRO in specific color options.
ClimateFlex
Modified polymer asphalt formula that makes the shingle rubber-like instead of brittle. Standard asphalt cracks in subzero temperatures. ClimateFlex stays pliable, which is why it earns the Class 4 impact rating — it absorbs the hit instead of fracturing.
It's Not Just the Shingle. It's Everything Underneath.
Most quotes cover shingles and labor. But a shingle is only as good as the system it sits on. CertainTeed's Integrity Roof System is 6 components designed to work together — and that's what we install as standard.
Waterproofing Underlayment
Self-adhering membrane installed at eaves, valleys, and penetrations. Prevents leaks from ice dams and wind-driven rain — the two most common leak sources in North Idaho.
Water-Resistant Underlayment
A secondary barrier over the entire roof deck. If water gets past the shingles for any reason, this layer stops it before it reaches your plywood.
Shingle Starter
Pre-cut starter strips installed along eaves and rakes. They provide the adhesive bond for the first course of shingles — the row most vulnerable to wind uplift.
Shingles
Your chosen Landmark product line — installed per CertainTeed specifications to maintain full warranty coverage.
Ventilation
Ridge vents and intake vents balanced to move air through the attic. Proper ventilation prevents moisture buildup that rots decking and prevents ice dams that destroy shingles.
Hip & Ridge
CertainTeed Cedar Crest or Shadow Ridge cap shingles for a clean finished look along hips and ridges. Matched to your field shingle color.
Product Comparison
| Specification | Landmark | Landmark TL | Landmark PRO | ClimateFlex | Presidential |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impact Rating | Class 3 | Class 4 | Class 3 | Class 4 | Class 3 |
| Fire Rating | UL Class A | UL Class A | UL Class A | UL Class A | UL Class A |
| Wind Warranty | 110 mph | 110 mph | 110 mph | 110 mph | 110 mph |
| Wind Upgrade | 160 mph | 160 mph | 160 mph | 160 mph | 130 mph |
| StreakFighter | 25-Year | 30-Year | 30-Year | 25-Year | 30-Year |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Layers | Dual | Triple | Dual | Dual | Multi |
| Cold-Weather Tech | — | ClimateFlex | — | ClimateFlex | — |
| Max Def Colors | — | Select | Full Palette | — | — |
| Color Options | 21 | 4 | 24 | 6 | 6 |
| Best For | Value & versatility | Hail zones & cold climates | Curb appeal & color depth | Extreme cold & hail | Luxury / cedar look |
What "Lifetime Warranty" Actually Means
Every shingle in the Landmark family carries a lifetime limited transferable warranty on residential applications. That sounds great until you ask what "limited" and "transferable" actually mean.
Here's the straight version: CertainTeed covers manufacturing defects for the life of the home. If your shingles delaminate, crack, or fail due to a manufacturing issue, they'll cover the replacement materials. The "limited" part is that coverage prorates after the SureStart period — the first 10 years are full replacement cost, then it tapers. The "transferable" part means if you sell your house, the warranty transfers to the new owner, which is a real selling point.
The StreakFighter algae warranty is separate — 25 years on Landmark and ClimateFlex, 30 years on PRO, TL, and Presidential. The wind warranty starts at 110 mph and can be upgraded to 130-160 mph if we install CertainTeed starter and hip/ridge products, which we do as standard.
The best warranty in the world doesn't matter if the installation is wrong. CertainTeed's warranty requires professional installation per their specifications — which is part of why we follow their manual exactly and don't cut corners on underlayment, ventilation, or starter strips.
Common Questions About Asphalt Shingles
Weight and color. Landmark PRO is a heavier shingle with CertainTeed's Max Def color technology — a richer granule blend that gives more depth and dimension. The StreakFighter warranty is also 5 years longer (30 vs. 25). Impact rating and wind resistance are the same. If you care about curb appeal and want the most color options, go PRO. If you're working within a tighter budget, the base Landmark is a genuinely good shingle.
Almost certainly, yes. Most Idaho insurance carriers offer a discount for Class 4 impact-rated roofing — typically 10-28% off your premium. That applies to the Landmark TL and Landmark ClimateFlex lines. Call your agent before choosing a product line and ask what discount they offer for UL 2218 Class 4. On a $2,000/year premium, even a 15% discount saves $300 annually — which adds up fast over a 30-year roof life.
The warranty covers 25 years on Landmark and ClimateFlex, 30 years on PRO, TL, and Presidential. In practice, the copper-infused granules continue working as long as they're present on the shingle surface. Normal granule loss over time will eventually reduce effectiveness, but most homeowners report clean roofs well past the warranty period. Compare that to budget shingles where algae streaks typically appear within 5-8 years in the Pacific Northwest.
It depends on your situation. If you're in a valley area that gets regular hail and winter temperatures that drop below zero, ClimateFlex is worth it for the Class 4 impact rating and cold-weather flexibility alone. The insurance discount on Class 4 often covers the price difference within a few years. If you're in a milder microclimate and hail isn't a major concern, the base Landmark or Landmark PRO may be the better value.
Yes. We keep sample boards of the most popular colors in our Hayden office. We can also bring samples to your home during an inspection so you can see how they look against your siding, trim, and landscaping in natural light. CertainTeed also offers a free ColorView visualizer tool at colorview.certainteed.com where you can upload a photo of your home and try different shingle colors digitally.