If you are getting ready to replace your roof in Colorado Springs, one of the first decisions you will face is which shingle to put on it. Walk into any roofing conversation and you will quickly discover there are a lot of options out there. Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, Tamko — the list goes on. And most of them will sound perfectly reasonable on paper.
But here is a question worth asking: what shingle would your roofer actually put on his own house?
That is not a hypothetical question. I am Tracy Bookman, owner of Homestead Roofing in Colorado Springs, and I have been in the roofing industry since 2011. I have installed roofs all over El Paso County, inspected hundreds of hail-damaged roofs, and dealt with warranty claims from nearly every major shingle manufacturer. I have seen firsthand how these products perform — not in a lab, but on real Colorado homes in real Colorado weather.
In this article I am going to tell you the one asphalt shingle I would put on my own house, and the one I would never install. My hope is that by the time you finish reading this, you will have a much clearer picture of what to ask for when it comes time to replace your roof.
Why a Roofer’s Personal Choice Tells You Everything
There is a big difference between what a roofer sells and what a roofer would actually put on his own home. When it is your own house on the line — your own family, your own investment — you stop thinking about margins and start thinking about performance.
I installed my own roof in December of 2016. And the shingle I chose tells you everything you need to know about where I stand.
The Shingle I Would Install: CertainTeed Northgate
The CertainTeed Northgate is the shingle I have on my own house, and it is the shingle I recommend to the vast majority of my clients here in Colorado Springs.
I want to be upfront — this is not a sponsored post. CertainTeed did not pay me to say this. This is simply my honest opinion after more than 15 years of watching shingles perform in one of the most hail-active regions in the country.
What Makes the Northgate Different — SBS Modified Technology Explained
Most asphalt shingles are just that — standard asphalt. When hail hits a standard asphalt shingle, the impact can crack the mat underneath the surface, dislodge granules, and expose the raw asphalt to the sun and elements. Over time, that leads to drying, cracking, curling, and eventually a roof that needs to be replaced.
The CertainTeed Northgate is different because it is what is called an SBS modified asphalt shingle. SBS stands for Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene — but all you really need to know as a homeowner is that it means the shingle is rubberized. That rubber component changes everything about how the shingle responds to impact.
Instead of cracking or fracturing when hail hits it, the Northgate actually causes the hail to bounce off. The rubberized surface absorbs and disperses the impact rather than taking the full force of it. That is a fundamentally different level of protection compared to a standard asphalt shingle — even compared to many Class 4 impact resistant shingles that are not SBS modified.
The Northgate is also a heavier, thicker shingle than most of its SBS modified competitors. That extra mass is a big part of why it outperforms them. There are other SBS modified shingles on the market, but in my experience, the Northgate’s combination of thickness, weight, and rubber content puts it in a category of its own.
How the Northgate Performs in Colorado Springs Hail
Here in Colorado Springs, hail is not a rare event. We have had years with five significant hail storms. I have been on hundreds of roofs after major storms, inspecting shingles from every major manufacturer. And what I have seen consistently is that the Northgate outperforms everything else.
After one of the largest hail storms we had in our area, I went out and inspected multiple roofs in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods. Those roofs had shingles from all the major brands on them. Out of all of those inspections, there was only one shingle brand and type that came through with no damage requiring replacement. The CertainTeed Northgate.
After another significant storm — one that produced golf ball sized hail and damaged siding and windows across the city — I went through the same process. Same result. Every other shingle brand had damage. The Northgate roofs came through clean.
I also have a customer whose Northgate roof we installed over eight years ago. When I recently drove up to his house for an unrelated visit, I was convinced he had replaced his roof since we installed it. It looked that good — practically brand new. I was actually in the process of looking up the permit history on his house because I was certain someone else had replaced it. Then the homeowner came up on the roof with us and said, “Doesn’t it look great? It looks just as good as the day you installed it.”
He then told us his roof had been hit by three major hail storms since we put it on. Three storms. No replacement needed.
Wind Performance and Cold Weather Installation
Hail is not the only thing Colorado Springs roofs have to deal with. High winds are a regular occurrence here, and cold temperature installations are sometimes unavoidable given our climate.
The Northgate excels in both areas.
In all the years we have been installing the Northgate, we have never received a call about shingles blown off a Northgate roof. The shingle seals exceptionally fast and exceptionally tight — and it seals well even in lower temperatures than most competing shingles.
I know this from personal experience. When we installed the Northgate on my own house in December 2016, the second day of the installation was 23 degrees. Nine days after we finished, our area was hit with 101 mile an hour winds. I did not lose a single shingle.
The Insurance Discount You May Not Know About
Here is something many Colorado Springs homeowners do not realize: the CertainTeed Northgate qualifies for significant insurance premium discounts with many of the major insurance carriers.
One insurance company offers a 28% discount for having the Northgate on your roof. My own insurance company gave me a 40% discount. Depending on what you are currently paying for homeowners insurance, that kind of discount could save you $1,000 or more every single year. Over the life of the roof, that adds up to a meaningful return on your investment — and that is before you factor in the claims you may never have to file because the roof simply holds up.
The Shingle I Would Never Install: Tamko Heritage
Now let’s talk about the shingle on the other end of the spectrum.
In my 15+ years in the roofing industry, the Tamko Heritage is the shingle I have seen the most consistent problems with. And the primary problem is delamination.
What Delamination Means for Your Roof — And Your Wallet
Delamination is when the granules on the surface of the shingle begin to come off. Those granules are not just there for appearance — they serve a critical protective function. They shield the asphalt layer underneath from UV exposure and the elements. When the granules go, the asphalt is left exposed to the sun, and it begins to dry out, crack, curl, and cup.
We have replaced roofs with Tamko Heritage shingles that were only two or three years old. Not because of storm damage — because the shingles simply failed prematurely. The granules came off, the asphalt deteriorated, and the roof had to be replaced well before its expected lifespan.
To make matters worse, in every instance where we have had to deal with a Tamko Heritage warranty claim, the experience has been negative. Getting the manufacturer to stand behind their product has been a consistent struggle. That is a problem, because a warranty is only as good as the company’s willingness to honor it.
Making the Right Shingle Choice for Your Colorado Springs Home
Choosing a roofing shingle is not just about picking a color or a price point. In a market like Colorado Springs — where hail is frequent, winds are strong, and temperature swings are dramatic — the shingle you choose has a real impact on how long your roof lasts, how much you pay in insurance premiums, and whether you will be filing a claim after the next big storm.
My recommendation is the CertainTeed Northgate. It is the shingle I put on my own house. It is the shingle I have watched perform through some of the worst hail storms this region has seen. And it is the shingle I feel genuinely confident recommending to the homeowners I work with here in Colorado Springs.
If you have questions about whether the Northgate is the right fit for your home, or if you would like an honest assessment of your current roof’s condition, we are always happy to have that conversation. No pressure, no sales tactics — just straightforward information to help you make the best decision for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Shingles in Colorado Springs
What is an SBS modified shingle and why does it matter in Colorado Springs?
SBS modified shingles contain a rubberized compound that makes them more flexible and impact resistant than standard asphalt shingles. In Colorado Springs, where hail storms are frequent and sometimes severe, this matters a great deal. Instead of cracking or fracturing on impact, SBS modified shingles like the CertainTeed Northgate cause hail to bounce off, significantly reducing the likelihood of damage that requires a roof replacement.
Can the CertainTeed Northgate really lower my homeowners insurance premium?
Yes, in many cases it can. The Northgate qualifies for impact resistant roofing discounts with several major insurance carriers. Discounts of 28% to 40% have been reported by homeowners who have had the Northgate installed. If you are considering a roof replacement, it is worth calling your insurance agent to ask what discount you may qualify for with a Class 4 rated shingle like the Northgate.
How long should an asphalt shingle roof last in Colorado Springs?
A quality asphalt shingle roof in Colorado Springs can last 20 to 30 years under normal conditions, but hail storms can significantly shorten that lifespan depending on the shingle type. Standard asphalt shingles are more vulnerable to hail damage and may require replacement after a major storm. SBS modified shingles like the CertainTeed Northgate have demonstrated the ability to survive multiple significant hail events without requiring replacement, which can extend the effective life of your roof considerably.
What is roof delamination and how do I know if my shingles are affected?
Delamination occurs when the protective granules on the surface of an asphalt shingle begin to separate and fall off. You may notice granules collecting in your gutters or downspouts, or you may see bare, dark patches on your shingles where the granules are missing. Once delamination begins, the asphalt underneath is exposed to UV rays and weather, which accelerates deterioration. If you suspect delamination on your roof, it is worth having a qualified roofing contractor take a look before the damage progresses further.
Should I get a storm damage roof inspection in Colorado Springs after a hail storm?
Yes — but choose your inspector carefully. After a major hail storm in Colorado Springs, it is common for roofing contractors to canvas neighborhoods encouraging homeowners to file insurance claims. A trustworthy roofing contractor will give you an honest assessment of whether your roof actually sustained damage that warrants a claim, rather than simply encouraging you to file one. An honest inspection protects you from unnecessary claims that can affect your insurance record and premiums.