Choosing the right material for your roof is fundamental as a homeowner, particularly if you’re considering the highly-regarded Owens Corning line of shingles. Oakridge and Duration, two of the top selections in this line, offer distinct characteristics that set them apart.
Both shingles are fashioned with premium materials, offering lasting protection for your home in vibrant colors. Both of these options are architectural shingles, which are thicker and have a more textured, multi-dimensional appearance compared to 3-tab shingles.
Let’s discuss each Owens Corning shingle’s unique features, benefits, and crucial differentiating factors such as style, weather resistance, installation, warranty, and value. This guide aims to help you make an informed choice between these two popular options, so let’s dive right in.
Overview of Owens Corning Roofing
Founded over 80 years ago, Owens Corning is a globally recognized company catering to the construction industry. It has a substantial footprint in the United States, where it has consistently set quality standards in the roofing industry. The company’s commitment to innovation, performance, and sustainability have helped it to secure its standing as a trusted brand for.
Owens Corning offers a diverse range of quality roofing components, a product line where the terms ‘Oakridge’ and ‘Duration’ are frequently mentioned. These shingles are celebrated for their superior workmanship, weather resistance, and adherence to the highest industry standards.
Choosing Owens Corning is often a no-brainer for many homeowners and contractors, primarily because of the company’s high-quality shingles. While there is a range of choices, today we focus on the comparison between the Oakridge and Duration shingle types to make your shingle selection process simpler and more efficient.
Oakridge Vs. Duration: A Head-to-Head Comparison
As we look into the comparison between Oakridge and Duration shingles, it’s important to break down the core factors that should guide your final choice.
Shingle Quality
Winner: Duration
When it comes to shingle quality, both Oakridge and Duration shingles stand their ground. They both resiliently withstand harsh weather conditions, provide substantial coverage, and carry the Owens Corning shingles name that assures superior workmanship and material quality. However, Duration shingles carry an added advantage with their SureNail Technology, offering enhanced grip and wind resistance. You can also find many variations of the duration shingle such as Duration Storm, Duration FLEX, and Duration Designer shingles.
Color Choices
Winner: Duration
Oakridge shingles have 8 different color options. They offer a warm, inviting look with an array of popular color choices that are versatile to complement different architectural styles. However, duration shingles offer 19 vibrant colors using TruDefinition color technology. So for the versatile options, Trudefinition duration shingles take the cake with impressive curb appeal.
Lifespan and Warranty
Winner: Duration
Both Oakridge and Duration shingles come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, showing Owens Corning’s confidence in their products’ longevity. However, the Duration shingle’s warranty is more robust, offering a TruProtection period where 100% of material and labor costs are covered for a selected duration. Read more about their warranties here.
Price and Value
Winner: Depends on homeowner’s budget and preferences
The Oakridge line is known for bringing a touch of luxury to the home without the high cost. They deliver excellent value for their price, providing a fantastic balance between aesthetic appeal and durability. On the other hand, Duration shingles are priced higher due to their premium protection, SureNail Technology, and extensive color range. If price is your main deciding factor, Oakridge could be a more appealing choice, but for those willing to pay a bit more for enhanced features, Duration offers great value.
Energy Efficiency
Winner: Tie
Both Oakridge and Duration shingles offer energy-efficient options. Owens Corning provides ENERGY STAR® rated shingles in both lines, which help reflect more sunlight and reduce the roof surface temperature. This can potentially lower cooling costs in warm climates. With equal energy-saving benefits, neither product outshines the other in this regard.
Installation Ease
Winner: Oakridge
Oakridge shingles are lighter and have a simpler construction, making them easier to handle during installation. Duration shingles, while still manageable, are slightly heavier due to the added SureNail Technology, which may make installation a bit more involved. For certified contractors or homeowners looking for a quicker install, Oakridge offers a slight edge.
Algae Resistance
Winner: Tie
Both Oakridge and Duration shingles are equipped with StreakGuard™ protection, which helps resist the growth of algae. This feature helps maintain the appearance of the roof and reduces unsightly streaks caused by algae over time. Since both shingle lines include this protection, they perform equally well in this category.
Wind Resistance
Winner: Duration
While Oakridge shingles are rated for wind speeds up to 110 mph, Duration shingles outperform them with a higher wind resistance rating of 130 mph. This is largely due to the SureNail Technology found in Duration shingles, which provides an added grip and superior strength against high winds. If protection against strong winds and extreme weather conditions is a crucial factor in your decision, Duration shingles are the supreme shingles for you.
Weight
Winner: Oakridge
Oakridge shingles are lighter compared to Duration shingles, making them easier to transport and handle during installation. While the difference in weight is not drastic, Oakridge offers a slight advantage for homeowners or contractors prioritizing ease of installation and handling.
As we consider these categories, remember that the ‘winner’ for each might not be the best selection for you. Different homeowners have different needs and priorities, and the ultimate choice should align with your specific requirements.
Final Thoughts – The Ideal Choice for Safety, Quality, and Durability
Remember, your roof isn’t a low-cost investment – it’s a critical part of your home’s structural integrity, energy efficiency, and overall aesthetic appeal. Making the right choice between Oakridge and Duration shingles will significantly contribute to these vital aspects.
To conclude, both Oakridge and Duration shingles bring their unique benefits. If you’re looking for classic charm, warmth, and durability at a fantastic price, Owens Corning Oakridge shingles might just be your perfect match. However, if you’re seeking premium protection, and a variety of colorful options, and don’t mind investing a bit extra for these features, Owens Corning Duration shingles could be what your home needs.
We recommend Duration for overall quality and performance, but depending on budget restrictions and personal preference, you can’t go wrong with this shingle brand and the Trudefinition Oakridge shingles are still a fantastic choice.
Roofing Contractors You Can Trust
At Leverage Roofing, we offer a full range of roofing services, including asphalt shingle roofing, metal roofing, seamless gutters, and more. We’re here to support you through every step of your roof replacement process, ensuring you make the most out of your investment in Owens Corning’s Oakridge or Duration shingles as part of a complete roofing system that enhances your home’s protection and longevity. Our team is ready to provide expert advice and professional services that will help you get the best results for your home.
When it comes to choosing between Oakridge and Duration shingles, having a dependable partner to guide you is invaluable. As a locally owned, family-operated business serving the Carolinas, we bring more than just roofing expertise to the table – we understand the needs, preferences, and weather patterns of the local areas.
Contact us today about your roofing project for a free quote.