Are CertainTeed Landmark shingles Class 3 or Class 4?

Standard Landmark shingles are rated Class 3 under UL 2218 impact testing. If you want Class 4 from CertainTeed, look at the Landmark ClimateFlex or Landmark TL — both use a polymer-modified asphalt formula that achieves the top Class 4 rating.

What wind speed do CertainTeed shingles handle?

The Landmark line is rated for 110 mph winds with standard installation and can be upgraded to 160 mph wind warranty when installed with CertainTeed-compatible starter shingles and hip and ridge product. That upgrade matters in high-wind areas like the Texas Panhandle.

Do CertainTeed shingles have a transferable warranty?

Yes. CertainTeed's lifetime limited warranty is transferable to a new homeowner once during the shingle's life. Transferability can be a selling point when you sell the house, though you'll want to read the current warranty document for transfer fees and timing requirements.

What is SureStart protection on CertainTeed shingles?

SureStart is CertainTeed's 10-year coverage window where they pay full replacement cost — labor and materials — if a manufacturing defect surfaces. After that window closes, the lifetime limited warranty prorates based on shingle age.

Can CertainTeed ClimateFlex shingles lower my homeowner's insurance?

In Texas, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can qualify for a discount on your homeowner's insurance premium. The discount varies by insurer and policy, so ask your agent before you assume savings. Your contractor should be able to provide the product's UL 2218 Class 4 documentation for the insurer.

What Are CertainTeed Shingles? A Homeowner's Guide

CertainTeed shingles are a line of dimensional architectural asphalt shingles made by CertainTeed, one of the largest roofing manufacturers in North America. The product range runs from their workhorse Landmark series all the way up to polymer-modified impact-resistant variants built specifically for hail country — and if you're in the Texas Panhandle, that last category deserves a serious look.

The Core Product: Landmark Series

The Landmark is CertainTeed's foundational architectural shingle. It's a two-layer laminated shingle that creates a dimensional, shadow-line look — more visual depth than a traditional three-tab shingle, without the premium pricing of a designer product.

Key specs on the CertainTeed Landmark:

Lifetime limited transferable warranty — covers manufacturing defects for the life of the roof on residential installs
10-year SureStart protection — full replacement cost (labor + materials) if a defect shows within the first decade
110 mph wind resistance — upgradeable to 160 mph with compatible CertainTeed starter and hip-and-ridge product
25-year StreakFighter® algae resistance — relevant in humid climates; less of a factor in dry West Texas
NailTrak® wide nailing zone — a slightly wider nailing band that reduces installation error

The Landmark Pro steps up with a 30-year algae warranty and marginally heavier construction, but both carry the same lifetime coverage structure.

Impact-Resistant Options: ClimateFlex and TL

Standard Landmark shingles test at Class 3 under UL 2218, the industry's steel-ball drop test for hail resistance. That's solid — but it's not the top rating.

For Class 4, CertainTeed makes two variants:

Landmark ClimateFlex uses a polymer-modified asphalt formula — the same rubber-like modification technique used in commercial roofing membranes — applied to the residential shingle format. The result is a Class 4 impact-resistant shingle with a lifetime limited warranty, 110 mph standard wind rating (upgradeable to 160 mph), and 25-year algae resistance. It also performs better in cold-weather brittleness testing, which matters less here than the hail rating.

Landmark TL achieves Class 4 through a different construction method. Both are good choices; your installer's familiarity with the product and local distributor availability often drive the final pick.

Close-up view of light-colored asphalt shingles arranged in a herringbone or diagonal pattern on a residential roof — The layered construction of dimensional shingles creates the shadow lines and texture visible on a finished roof.

How the Warranty Actually Works

The "lifetime" label on CertainTeed's warranty is legitimate but requires reading the fine print:

The full-replacement SureStart window is 10 years from install date. Within that period, CertainTeed covers both materials and labor for covered manufacturing defects.
After 10 years, the warranty prorates. The older the shingle, the smaller the manufacturer's contribution. A 25-year-old shingle that fails will get a fraction of today's replacement cost.
The warranty is transferable once to a new homeowner. CertainTeed has historically charged a transfer fee and required notification within a set window — check the current warranty document for exact terms.
Wind coverage at 110 mph is standard. To get the upgraded 160 mph wind warranty, the installer must use CertainTeed-specified starter strips and ridge caps and document the installation. If they cut corners on accessories, the wind upgrade doesn't apply.

Why Class 4 Matters in the Texas Panhandle

Potter County ranks in the top 10 nationally for hail frequency. The Texas Panhandle averages 8–12 hailstorms per year, and the largest recorded hailstone in the Amarillo area measured 4.25 inches — softball-sized — during a May 2019 storm. That's not a freak event; it's a regular occurrence in Hail Alley.

A standard Class 3 shingle holds up well against most hail events, but repeated impacts over years — granule loss, cracking, bruising — shorten roof life and add up to more frequent replacements. A Class 4 shingle like the ClimateFlex absorbs those hits harder. And in Texas, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles can qualify for a homeowner's insurance discount — ask your insurer before your next renewal.

5 Star Commercial Roofing has been installing and replacing roofs in the Texas Panhandle for 11 years. We carry CertainTeed products and can help you decide whether the Landmark, ClimateFlex, or a different shingle profile fits your home, your budget, and your exposure to hail.

Ready to talk shingles? Call us at (806) 622-6041 or visit our asphalt shingle roofing page to learn more. If you're already looking at a full replacement, our roof replacement page walks through what the process looks like from first call to final inspection.