PPS ROOFING / SHINGLE ROOFING
Find the right shingle
for your home.
Start with the look you love. Then compare the material, the protection, and the roof system behind it.
Nick helps homeowners across the Denver metro, Colorado mountains, and Western Slope make sense of the options—without turning a roof estimate into homework.
Architectural or designer
Conventional or polymer-modified asphalt
Impact, wind, and fire ratings
01 / Choose the look
Two directions.
Plenty of personality.
ARCHITECTURAL / LAMINATED
Dimension that fits
most homes.
Layers of asphalt shingle material create a varied profile, with depth and shadows that give the roof a more textured appearance.
A good conversation for: an owner who wants an attractive roof with a wide range of colors and product choices.
DESIGNER / LUXURY
Make the roof
part of the architecture.
Bolder shapes and layered profiles create a distinctive, dimensional appearance. Performance features depend on the actual product.
A good conversation for: a home with prominent roof planes where shape and texture make a noticeable difference.
Style and impact resistance are separate choices. An architectural shingle can have a high impact rating, while a designer label alone tells you little about hail performance.
02 / Understand the material
Same basic job.
Different asphalt recipes.
Modern asphalt shingles generally combine a reinforcing fiberglass mat, asphalt, mineral granules, and sealant. The asphalt provides weather protection; the granules shield it from sunlight and create the color. Overlapping rows shed water downhill.
Conventional asphalt
Roofing asphalt is processed to give it the properties needed for a shingle. Its performance depends on the whole product, including the reinforcement, granules, sealant, and manufacturing.
Polymer-modified asphalt
Polymers change how the asphalt behaves. SBS—styrene-butadiene-styrene—is a rubber-like modifier used to improve flexibility and resilience. Different manufacturers use different formulas.
What this means for your home: If hail and Colorado temperature swings are priorities, polymer-modified options are worth comparing. Ask for the exact product’s test ratings. “Rubberized” is a material description, not a promise that hail cannot damage the roof.
Learn about Malarkey’s NEX® asphalt ↗ · See how a roof system works ↗
03 / Compare protection
What does Class 4
actually tell you?
It identifies the highest impact classification within the UL 2218 test. That is useful information when comparing products—but it does not make a roof hail-proof.
Controlled impact testing. Class 4 is the highest within UL 2218.
External fire-exposure performance. Class A is the highest of these classifications.
Separate tests and warranty terms, with installation requirements that matter.
Class 3 versus Class 4: how to compare
Class 3 is below Class 4 within UL 2218. Compare the exact shingle, the named standard, and current product data. Two Class 4 products can still differ in formulation, appearance, research results, and warranty.
What about insurance discounts?
Ask your insurer whether the proposed product qualifies, what documentation is needed, and whether any coverage terms change. Eligibility and savings vary; confirm them before choosing solely for a discount.
Compare IBHS hail performance ratings ↗ · Read about impact classifications ↗
04 / Explore the brands
Pick the product.
Not just the name on the bundle.
Explore the manufacturers below for current shingle colors, product details, installation documents, and warranties. Malarkey, GAF, and IKO are regular starting points in our shingle conversations; we can discuss other major brands when they fit your property and budget.
Malarkey
NEX® polymer-modified asphalt is a central part of Malarkey’s shingle range. Compare the exact architectural or designer product, its impact rating, colors, and warranty.
Products, colors & documents ↗
GAF
Offers architectural and designer shingles, with impact-resistant options in selected lines. Compare the particular product rather than assuming all Timberline shingles have the same specifications.
Products, colors & documents ↗
IKO
Organizes products into architectural, performance, and designer families. Those names describe product ranges; confirm the selected shingle’s construction, ratings, and installation requirements.
Products, colors & documents ↗
Owens Corning
Offers architectural and specialty shingle options. Compare the selected Duration or other product’s fastening features, impact classification, colors, and warranty.
Products, colors & documents ↗
CertainTeed
Offers architectural and designer profiles. Compare the exact Landmark or other line for appearance, impact options, installation requirements, and warranty terms.
Products, colors & documents ↗TAMKO
Offers multiple shingle families, including architectural products. Review the current product sheet for the selected line; a brand name alone does not establish its impact or wind performance.
Products, colors & documents ↗05 / See the products up close
Watch a few reviews.
Bring us your questions.
Roofing Insights offers hands-on demonstrations and product opinions. These reviews are another perspective alongside manufacturer information and independent testing; their scores are not performance certifications.
06 / Look beyond the shingle
The details underneath
make the roof work.
How the shingles are installed
We start with the roof condition and agreed removal scope, then inspect the deck. Underlayment, leak barriers, flashing, and starter shingles form the supporting water-control details. Shingles are laid in correctly offset courses and fastened in the specified nail zones. Valleys, walls, vents, hips, and ridges receive compatible finishing details.
Cold weather, steep areas, and wind conditions can affect installation requirements. The selected manufacturer’s instructions govern the details. A roof’s pitch also matters: low-slope additions may need a membrane rather than shingles.
Installation documents ↗What makes an upgrade worth it?
Look for a benefit that matters to your home: a preferred appearance, verified impact performance, a suitable fastening system, or relevant warranty coverage. Weight, the word “premium,” and warranty length alone are not reliable quality rankings.
What should the estimate include?
The named shingle and accessories, removal scope, decking allowances, flashing, underlayment, ventilation, permits where applicable, cleanup, and warranty terms. A leak at a wall needs its flashing problem addressed; new field shingles alone may not solve it.
How should I read the warranty?
Compare material and workmanship coverage, exclusions, prorating, transfer rules, and eligibility requirements. “Lifetime” wording is not a forecast of how long a roof will last. Ask which coverage applies to your actual project.
Let’s narrow it down
to your home.
Tell Nick what matters most—appearance, hail concerns, budget, or long-term plans. We’ll help you compare suitable shingles and explain what the complete roof should include.