Two layers. One bond. Every nail in the zone.
Most architectural shingles are two strips laminated together, and the line where they meet is where a roofer has to hit with every nail. LayerLock Technology fuses that common bond so tightly that GAF could widen the target into the StrikeZone nailing area.
The result is a roof that goes on faster, nails that land where they hold, and a wind warranty with no maximum wind speed. Watch it explained by GAF Roofing on YouTube.
A GAF President’s Club contractor and a member of the GAF Contractor Advisory Council, installing Timberline shingles across the Miami Valley.
A nailing area built to be hit
On a standard laminated shingle, the nail line is narrow. A nail too high misses the bottom layer; too low and it shows. Multiply that by thousands of nails on a roof and small misses add up to weak spots the wind finds later.
A typical Miami Valley roof takes somewhere around 6,000 to 10,000 nails. Every one that lands in the right place is one less place for a storm to start peeling back a corner.
LayerLock Technology turns that thin line into the widest nailing area in the industry. In a study by Home Innovation Research Labs, it made a measurable difference.
- 99.9%nailing accuracy
- 999of 1,000 nails placed correctly
- 30%faster nail fastening
Up to; Timberline HDZ vs. Timberline HD under controlled laboratory conditions. Actual results may vary.
From the factory to the first summer sun
Three things happen to every Timberline HDZ shingle, from the plant to your roof.
- 1
Fused at the factory
LayerLock Technology mechanically fuses the common bond where the two layers of a laminated shingle overlap. The shingle behaves like one piece instead of two.
- 2
Nailed in the StrikeZone
That reinforced bond creates the StrikeZone nailing area, the widest in the industry, so every nail lands where it holds.
- 3
Sealed by the sun
Once the roof is down, sun heat activates the Dura Grip adhesive strip. It tacks to the smooth StrikeZone surface, then cures into a solid asphalt-to-asphalt bond.
Dura Grip and the bond in action
A short GAF video on how the bond and the sealant hold a Timberline roof together.
Want the deeper engineering? See Advanced Protection shingle technology.
WindProven: no maximum wind speed
Shingles with LayerLock Technology are the only GAF shingles eligible for the WindProven limited wind warranty, the industry’s first with no wind speed limit.
- 15 years
- No registration
- No named-storm clause
Four accessories make it count
WindProven needs at least one qualifying GAF accessory from each of these four groups. We install all four on every Timberline roof.
- Starter strip shinglesWe use Pro-Start
- Roof deck protectionWe use FeltBuster
- Ridge cap shinglesWe use TimberTex
- Leak barrier or attic ventilationWe use WeatherWatch
Each one has a job. The starter strip seals the eave and rake edges, where wind gets under a roof first. Deck protection and leak barrier keep water out of the house if a shingle is ever damaged. Ridge caps finish the peak with the same weather resistance as the field.
Eligible shingles: Timberline HDZ, Timberline UHDZ, Timberline AS II and Timberline HDZ RS. Lab ratings: ASTM D3161 Class F (110 mph) and ASTM D7158 Class H (150 mph).
Three GAF sell sheets, straight from the source
Every claim on this page comes from these documents.
Great shingles still need a great crew
A wider nailing area makes good installs easier, but it doesn’t replace good installers. Our crews still set every course straight, seal every valley and finish the ridge with matching cap shingles, the same way the family has done it since our first roof.
Timberline HDZ is the shingle we install most. Pair it with the right accessories and it qualifies for the strongest GAF coverage, including the Golden Pledge warranty.
LayerLock Technology, answered
Quick answers before you choose a shingle.
What is LayerLock Technology?
LayerLock Technology is GAF's process for mechanically fusing the common bond between the overlapping layers of a laminated shingle. It creates the StrikeZone nailing area found on Timberline shingles.
How accurate is nailing in the StrikeZone?
In a study by Home Innovation Research Labs, a roofer placed 999 of 1,000 nails correctly, up to 99.9% nailing accuracy, and fastened up to 30% faster than on standard shingles. The tests were run under controlled laboratory conditions.
What does the WindProven warranty cover?
WindProven is a 15-year limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation for GAF shingles with LayerLock Technology. It requires four qualifying GAF accessories and does not require registration.
Which shingles have LayerLock Technology?
Timberline HDZ, Timberline UHDZ, Timberline AS II and Timberline HDZ RS all use LayerLock Technology.
When did LayerLock Technology come out?
GAF introduced LayerLock Technology with Timberline HDZ shingles in 2020. Roofs we installed with Timberline HDZ since then have it built in.
Can it be added to my current roof?
No. The bond is made at the factory, inside the shingle. If your roof was installed before 2020 or uses a different shingle, the only way to get it is a new Timberline roof, and we can tell you whether yours has years left first.
How do I find out if my roof qualifies?
Call (937) 833-5136. Michelle, our virtual assistant, answers 24/7 and can schedule an inspection. Office hours are Monday through Thursday 9 to 4 and Friday 9 to 2.
