Georgia Roof Guide

How long will GAF Timberline shingles last?

Short answer. GAF Timberline shingles typically give 20 to 30 years of service on a well-ventilated Georgia roof, and the heavier UHDZ and impact rated versions tend to sit at the upper end. They carry a lifetime limited warranty, but it covers manufacturing defects, with full coverage only during the non-prorated Smart Choice period, not normal wear or storm damage.

The Timberline family

Reading the warranty correctly

The lifetime limited warranty applies to the original owner of a single family home and covers defects in the shingle. The Smart Choice period, generally 10 years and 15 for UHDZ paired with StainGuard Plus labeled ridge caps, is when GAF covers materials and labor without proration. After that, coverage is prorated. The 15-year WindProven wind warranty needs qualifying GAF accessories. None of these cover hail, normal aging, or damage from poor ventilation or improper installation.

What makes a Timberline roof last

GAF's own instructions require proper attic ventilation, and that is the factor that most often separates a 28-year roof from an 18-year one in Georgia heat. Correct nailing in the StrikeZone, the matching starter strip and caps, and keeping valleys clear of pine straw round out the list.

More on this in roofing warranties explained and how long a roof lasts in Georgia.

In depth

What are the signs you need a new roof?Granule loss, curling, cracking, leaks, daylight in the attic and age: how to read each sign of a failing roofWhat are the parts of a roof, and what does each one do?Decking, underlayment, ice and water barrier, drip edge, starter strip, shingles, flashing, valleys, vents andWhy do moss and lichen grow on north Georgia roofs, and how do you get rid of them?Why shade and humidity grow moss and lichen on north Georgia roofs, what they do to shingles, how to remove th

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