What UHDZ is
Timberline is GAF’s architectural shingle family. Timberline HDZ is the everyday version most homeowners see. UHDZ is the step up: a thicker, heavier shingle with a pronounced, layered shadow line that gives the roof more depth from the street. It is meant for homeowners who want a richer, more upscale look without moving to a designer or shake-style shingle.
The six UHDZ colors
- Charcoal: a deep, dark gray-black that suits white, light gray and modern farmhouse exteriors.
- Pewter Gray: a mid-tone cool gray for gray siding and stone.
- Slate: a blue-gray blend that reads cooler and works with stone and white trim.
- Weathered Wood: a gray-brown blend that fits almost any exterior and hides streaking.
- Barkwood: a warmer brown blend for red and orange brick.
- Shakewood: a lighter, tan-brown blend for warm siding, cream brick and lake homes.
See each one on a full house on our Timberline UHDZ color page.
UHDZ vs. HDZ: what you actually get
From the curb, UHDZ looks thicker and more layered than HDZ, especially on steep roofs and long runs where shadow lines catch low sun. HDZ gives you far more color options, 23 on our selector compared with six. If your favorite color is only available in HDZ, HDZ is the right choice. If one of the six UHDZ colors works for your home and you want the most dimensional Timberline look, UHDZ is worth pricing. Our Timberline HDZ colors guide lists every HDZ shade.
Which homes UHDZ suits best
- Steep, visible roofs on two-story colonials and Tudors, where the extra depth shows.
- Homes with lots of roof facing the street, such as ranches on a hill or homes with big front gables.
- Upscale subdivisions where neighboring homes have designer or heavier architectural shingles.
On a low-slope ranch roof that barely shows from the street, the difference is harder to see, and HDZ usually makes more sense.
Pairing UHDZ colors with Midwest exteriors
Red brick, common across St. Louis, Kansas City and Southern Illinois, usually looks best under Barkwood or Weathered Wood. Painted brick, white siding and black windows pair well with Charcoal. Gray stone and gray siding pair with Pewter Gray or Slate. Cream brick, tan siding and cedar accents pair with Shakewood. Always look at a real sample outside, in morning and afternoon light, and from the street.
Dark vs. light UHDZ colors in summer heat
Charcoal absorbs more summer heat than Shakewood or Weathered Wood. Attic ventilation does far more to control attic temperature than shingle color, but if your attic already runs hot, a mid-tone can be a sensible choice. We check intake and exhaust ventilation on every inspection and correct it as part of the replacement where needed.
HOAs and UHDZ
Some subdivisions approve colors by name. Charcoal, Weathered Wood, Pewter Gray, Barkwood, Shakewood and Slate are also HDZ color names, so an HOA that approves an HDZ color will often accept the same color in UHDZ. Check the exact wording in your covenants, and we can help with the paperwork if your HOA wants a product sheet.
What a UHDZ roof includes
The shingle is only part of the system. A complete UHDZ roof from John Beal Roofing includes tear-off to the deck, deck repair where needed, ice and water protection in valleys and at the eaves, synthetic underlayment, starter strip, ridge vents or other exhaust, matching hip and ridge caps, new flashing at walls and chimneys, and a full magnet sweep of the yard. Using matching system components is what qualifies a roof for manufacturer system warranties.
Seeing UHDZ before you choose
Online swatches can shift color on different screens. Our GAF color selector shows each UHDZ color as a full-house photo, and we bring physical samples to your home during the free inspection so you can hold them against your brick, siding and trim.
Installed by a GAF Master Elite contractor
John Beal Roofing is a GAF Master Elite contractor at all of our locations, as well as an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster. We have been family-run since 1947, with our own crews working from local offices across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and western Kentucky, and every roof carries our limited lifetime workmanship warranty. Compare every brand on our shingle color selector or call 1-800-564-6232 any hour.
Frequently asked questions
How many colors does GAF Timberline UHDZ come in?
Six on our selector: Barkwood, Charcoal, Pewter Gray, Shakewood, Slate and Weathered Wood.
What is the difference between GAF UHDZ and HDZ?
UHDZ is thicker and more dimensional, with a deeper layered shadow line. HDZ offers far more colors, 23 on our selector.
What is the most popular UHDZ color?
Charcoal and Weathered Wood are the most requested UHDZ colors in our markets.
Is UHDZ worth the extra cost?
It is worth pricing when your roof is steep and visible from the street and one of the six colors suits your home. On low, hidden roofs, HDZ usually gives better value.
Can I see UHDZ colors on a real house?
Yes. Our GAF color selector shows each UHDZ color on a full home, and we bring samples to your inspection.