Lighter where it can be, tougher where it counts
How GAF builds Advanced Protection into the shingles we install on Miami Valley roofs.
Heavier used to mean stronger. Advanced Protection technology changed that. GAF engineers each layer of the shingle for the best balance of weight and performance, then tests the result against wind, water, heat and fire. The Advanced Protection technology page from GAF lays out the details.
For you, it means a roof that resists tearing, bends with the seasons instead of cracking, holds tight in a storm and stands up to embers. It also means less material hauled to your house and less waste decades from now.
Built for the four ways a roof gets tested
Toughness, wind uplift resistance, flexibility and fire resistance, each engineered into the shingle.
Toughness
A low-profile fiberglass mat with a proprietary glass-fiber orientation gives the shingle its backbone, so it resists tearing during install and in a storm.
Wind uplift resistance
The shingles pass ASTM D3161 Class F at 110 mph and ASTM D7158 Class H at 150 mph in lab testing.
Flexibility
An optimized asphalt weathering layer lets the shingle bend with Ohio’s freeze and thaw instead of cracking. Timberline AS II takes it further with SBS-modified asphalt.
Fire resistance
Premium limestone filler and a mineral surface help the shingle stand up to embers. In GAF’s demonstration, the roof takes a continuous blast of red-hot embers.
The layers of an advanced shingle
- Granule surface Ceramic-coated granules carry the color and shield the asphalt from UV light.
- Weathering asphalt An optimized top layer of asphalt that stays flexible through heat and cold.
- Fiberglass mat Low-profile mat with a proprietary glass-fiber orientation for tear strength.
- Limestone filler Premium limestone adds fire resistance without unnecessary weight.
- Dura Grip adhesive A sealant strip that bonds each course to the one below so wind can’t lift the edges.
Dura Grip adhesive locks each shingle to the course below. On Timberline HDZ, the LayerLock nailing area gives our crews a wider target for every nail.
A test built to predict the next 30 years
Most shingle tests check how a shingle performs today. AC438 uses accelerated aging to predict how it will perform for decades.
- SUN
Long-term durability
How the shingle holds up after years of sun exposure.
- RAIN
Wind-driven rain
Whether water stays out when storms push it sideways.
- TEMP
Extreme temperatures
How it handles long stretches of heat and deep cold.
GAF reports that all of its shingles pass AC438, and that it was the first manufacturer to reach that mark. The standard comes from ICC Evaluation Service, which writes acceptance criteria for building products.
Rated for wind, warrantied beyond it
Dura Grip adhesive and a tough mat are what keep a shingle down when gusts hit the edge of the roof. In lab testing, GAF shingles pass both major wind standards. On Timberline HDZ installed with the required GAF accessories, the WindProven limited wind warranty has no maximum wind speed.
See how the pieces work together in the GAF wind story brochure, or read our guide to roofing components.
- ASTM D3161 Class F110 mph
- ASTM D7158 Class H150 mph
- WindProven limited warrantyNo max speed
Why it matters on a Miami Valley roof
An Ohio roof works harder than most. July shingles bake well past 140 degrees in the afternoon sun, January brings nights below zero, and spring storms push rain sideways under the edges. Every freeze and thaw flexes the shingle a little. Advanced engineering is what lets a shingle take decades of that and still lie flat, stay sealed and keep its color. It is the reason we put GAF on most of the roofs we replace.
Less material, same strength
Advanced Protection shingles do more with less, from the factory to the landfill.
Less asphalt and limestone
Weight-optimized shingles use fewer raw materials than conventional ones.
Lighter loads
Less weight per bundle means less fuel to haul them to your street.
Less landfill
A lighter shingle leaves less waste behind when the roof is replaced decades from now.
Road-ready recycling
GAF supports a program that lets contractors recycle old shingles into roadways.
Where to go from here
Brochures, shingle lines and the warranty that ties the system together.
Advanced Protection, answered
Short answers about the technology inside GAF shingles.
What is Advanced Protection shingle technology?
Advanced Protection is GAF's approach to building a shingle with the best balance of weight and performance. It combines a low-profile fiberglass mat, an optimized asphalt weathering layer and premium limestone filler.
What is AC438?
AC438 is a set of tests that uses accelerated aging to predict long-term shingle performance in three areas: durability under sun exposure, wind-driven rain and extreme temperatures. GAF reports that all of its shingles pass AC438.
How much wind can GAF shingles handle?
In lab testing they pass ASTM D3161 Class F at 110 mph and ASTM D7158 Class H at 150 mph. Timberline HDZ shingles installed with the required GAF accessories qualify for the WindProven limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed.
Are lighter shingles weaker?
Not these. Advanced Protection removes weight that does not add strength, then tests the result for toughness, wind uplift, flexibility and fire.
Does Advanced Protection change my warranty?
No. Advanced Protection is about how the shingle is built. Your coverage comes from the GAF warranty registered for your roof, and we will walk you through the options, including the Golden Pledge, at your estimate.
Which shingles do you install?
We install GAF Timberline shingles on most homes, including Timberline HDZ, and Timberline AS II where impact resistance matters. Call (937) 833-5136; Michelle answers 24/7.
