Feeling overwhelmed by all the shingle options out there? Curious to know how to choose the right shingles for your home?
There are plenty of options to choose from, with each shingle manufacturer offering a variety of different kinds. It can feel like the options are endless, making it difficult to decide on just one. Not only that, but the names of each shingle type can sometimes add to the confusion. Today, we’ll talk about the GAF Timberline Natural Shadow (NS) shingle. And while “Natural Shadow” has a nice ring to it, it doesn’t really provide a comprehensive look at the benefits and drawbacks of this shingle type.
As a leading roofing company in the Myrtle Beach area, we at Linta Roofing can provide you with a comprehensive review of how GAF Timberline NS shingles perform in our area. We’ll discuss benefits, cost, customer complaints, and more!
Let’s take a look at how GAF Timberline NS shingles hold up for homeowners in Myrtle Beach!
Primary Benefits of Choosing GAF Timberline Natural Shadow (NS) Shingles for Your Roof
The GAF Timberline NS shingles are somewhat similar to the GAF Timberline HDZ shingles in the fact that both are architectural shingles. The GAF Timberline NS shingles come in 7 neutral shades including browns, grays, and black.
This shingle offers a dimensional look designed to imitate the appearance of cedar shake. Not only that, but the GAF Timberline NS shingles are functional, boasting a 130 mph wind rating and a 10-year algae warranty. They provide a classic appearance at a slightly lower cost than the GAF Timberline HDZ shingle. Which begs the question, how much are GAF Timberline NS shingles?
How Much Do GAF Timberline NS Shingles Cost Per Square Foot?
When it comes to price, Timberline NS shingles are the most affordable architectural shingle that GAF offers. On an average 3,000 square foot roof, you can expect to spend around $10,350 to $16,350 (which translates to around $345 to $545 “per square”). This shingle will save you about $5 per square or $150 for a 30 square roof when compared to the HDZ shingle. This price can vary depending on the complexity of your roof and a number of other factors.
If you know the square footage of your roof, you can multiply the square footage of your home by 1.5 and you’ll get a better idea of the size of your unique roof. However, if you’re looking for an instant estimate that includes the complexity of your roof, you should check out our Instant Estimator tool for a roof estimate in less than 60 seconds!
Now that you know the benefits and the cost, you may be wondering, are GAF Timberline NS shingles right for my home?
What Type of Homeowner Benefits Most from Choosing GAF Timberline NS Shingles for Their Roof?
Homeowners who want to have the durability of an architectural shingle but are also conscious of the price of their roof may benefit from choosing the GAF Timberline NS shingle. Ultimately, this option provides the homeowner with a top name shingle brand while also offering the durability of an architectural shingle. Because the algae warranty is more limited than GAF’s other options, it may be a great choice for homeowners who aren't concerned with algae streaks on their roof. These streaks are usually more prevalent on homes with surrounding trees.
Additionally, homeowners who struggle to choose from a wide range of color options may prefer to choose between these varieties of brown, gray, and black, as this shingle type offers a more limited selection in comparison to other GAF shingles.
Not only that, but when architectural shingles are installed properly, they should last you around 15-25 years. So if you are planning to stay in your home for the foreseeable future, this could be a great option for you. However, it wouldn’t be fair to say that these are the best shingles for your home without also acknowledging complaints from homeowners who were dissatisfied with the GAF Timberline NS shingles.
So, let’s talk about it.
Customer Complaints of the GAF Timberline NS Shingles
Homeowners with a mansard style roof don’t tend to see as much success with the GAF Timberline NS shingles as homeowners with a more traditional roof style. For mansard style roofs, we tend to suggest the GAF Timberline HDZ shingles because it holds together best on extremely steep roofs. But otherwise, customers tend to have a negative opinion of the weight of this shingle.
GAF Timberline NS shingles are fairly light, but that does not necessarily mean they can’t hold up against wind. Some homeowners are concerned that GAF Timberline NS shingles are too light. It's important to note that the weight of your shingles does not play into their performance under extreme winds as much as it may seem. What's more important is the quality of the bond lines that hold them together and the quality of the installation. Because the nailing zone is smaller on the Timberline NS shingle (therefore more difficult for a roofer to see), it can be more likely that homeowners who experience issues with this shingle did not have a proper roof installation. Which is why it’s so important to hire a certified roofing company to install your roof shingles.
Deciding if GAF Timberline NS Shingles are Right for Your Home
Whether you’re deep in the weeds or you just started searching for shingle options, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of options there are out there. The world of roofing shingles is vast and wide, but don’t let that confuse you!
In this article we discussed GAF’s Timberline Natural Shadow shingles because GAF is North America’s largest shingle manufacturer. They tend to hold up well in the extreme weather we face in the Myrtle Beach area at a reasonable price. And regardless of the material you choose, what matters most is that your roof is installed by an expert roofing contractor. Afterall, even the best roofing materials can fail if they’re not installed properly.
If you’ve decided that you like what GAF has to offer, we’d love to hear from you! As GAF Master Elite contractors, we’re proud to offer you the best warranties GAF has to offer. And if you’re still searching, we’d be happy to discuss your options with you!
Topics:
