Our manufacturer certifications
Manufacturers run tiered contractor programs, and the top tier is the one that takes years of installation history, insurance verification and warranty performance to reach. John Beal Roofing holds the highest tier with all three majors, at every location we operate:
- Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor — the top tier of the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network.
- GAF Master Elite Contractor — GAF’s highest contractor designation.
- CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster — the highest CertainTeed credential.
- IKO and TAMKO — credentialed to install both systems, along with substantially every other major manufacturer.
Most roofing companies hold one of these. The reason we pursued all three is the thing that actually affects your roof: a contractor certified by a single manufacturer has a standing commercial reason to recommend that manufacturer on every house they quote, whatever the house needs. We can specify Owens Corning, GAF or CertainTeed and be genuinely indifferent about which you choose, so the recommendation is driven by your roof, your budget and your climate.
Verify it, and verify everyone else. Each manufacturer publishes a contractor locator on its own site. Search your ZIP code, find the company, and confirm the entity name matches the one printed on your contract. Then ask every contractor bidding your roof how many manufacturers they are top-tier certified with, and notice when the answer is one.
One thing we do not do. Certified contractors are eligible to sell extended manufacturer system warranties, and we do not. Every John Beal Roofing installation carries our own lifetime workmanship warranty as standard, plus the manufacturer’s standard product warranty on the shingles. We would rather stand behind the installation for the life of the roof than sell you a third document with its own exclusions. See our Limited Lifetime Workmanship Warranty.
Four manufacturers, one standard of installation
Here is something most homeowners are never told: the shingle is only part of a roof. Manufacturer warranties cover the shingle against manufacturing defect. They do not cover the installation — and installation is where roofs actually fail. Valleys, flashing, ventilation, fastening pattern and underlayment decide whether a thirty-year shingle lasts thirty years.
That is why we put our own lifetime workmanship warranty behind the labor, no matter which of these four brands ends up on your house.
TAMKO
An American manufacturer with deep Midwest roots and a long-standing presence in Missouri. Their laminated asphalt lines are a practical, well-priced fit for a lot of the housing stock we work on.
IKO
Known for heavyweight laminated and designer profiles. When a homeowner wants a dimensional, high-definition look without moving to a specialty material, IKO is often where we land.
Owens Corning
One of the most recognized names in North American roofing, with architectural shingle lines and a full accessory system — underlayment, ventilation and hip-and-ridge designed to work together.
GAF
The largest roofing manufacturer in North America, with the broadest range of architectural and premium shingle options and a well-developed accessory and ventilation lineup.
How we choose a system for your house
- Roof pitch and complexity. A steep, cut-up roofline drives different detailing than a simple gable.
- Exposure and climate. Hail frequency, wind exposure and how much sun a slope takes all matter.
- The rest of the house. Brick, siding color, trim and neighborhood character.
- Budget, honestly. There is a good answer at several price points, and we will show you the difference rather than talk around it.
- Ventilation. The cheapest way to shorten a new roof's life is to install it over a poorly ventilated attic.
Commercial systems
For low-slope and flat commercial roofs we install and service TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen and roof coating systems. Those are specified by building, exposure and how long the owner intends to hold the property.
Frequently asked questions
- Which shingle brand is best?
- There is no single best brand — there is a best fit. TAMKO, IKO, Owens Corning and GAF all make quality laminated asphalt shingles, and the bigger variable is installation quality, ventilation and flashing detail. We carry all four so we can match the system to your home rather than sell one line to everyone.
- Does the manufacturer warranty cover installation?
- No, and this is the most misunderstood thing in roofing. A manufacturer warranty covers the shingle against defects in manufacturing. Installation is covered by the contractor — which is why John Beal Roofing puts a lifetime workmanship warranty on every roof we install.
- Can I pick the brand and color myself?
- Absolutely. We bring samples, show you what the profiles look like on a real roof, and let you choose. If you have no preference we will recommend a system based on your roof, your exposure and your budget.