When it comes to your roof, there are many different brands to choose from for shingles. That said, from all of the different ones to choose from, GAF and BP are two very popular ones. There are some big differences between the two that you need to be aware of before you can make an informed decision, though.
Let’s figure out which of the two shingles brands – if either – is better for you.
GAF Overview
First, we have GAF, which is one of the oldest and most commonly sought-after shingle companies in the world. The company was first founded in 1886 and is right now considered to be the leading roofing manufacturer in North America. Perhaps the number one reason that people love this brand so much is that their selection is massive.
There are no less than 15 lineups of asphalt shingles and related products. Furthermore, most products from GAF are priced reasonably, which is why residential homeowners love these shingles.
However, just because these shingles aren’t the most expensive, doesn’t mean that they aren’t relatively high quality. No, they aren’t the very best shingles in the world, but they are perfectly acceptable considering the low prices. One of the most popular shingles from this brand is known as the Timberline, so that will be one of our main focuses for today.
BP Overview
We then have BP, which is a Canadian brand, also known as Building Products of Canada. This brand has been producing very high-quality or premium shingles since 1905. It was technically founded in the late 1700s but didn’t start making roofing products until the early 1900s.
This Quebec-based company has various manufacturing facilities located throughout Canada, and it is a privately owned company. One of the biggest selling points is that BP creates shingles designed for the harsh Canadian climate, particularly those brutal winters.
This brand creates very high-quality products at reasonable prices. They definitely aren’t the cheapest shingles in the world, but for the quality they come in at, there’s no complaining. The Vanguard is one of the most popular shingles here, so this is the product we’ll be focusing on for this brand.
GAF vs. BP: How Do They Compare?
Now that we’ve done a quick overview of both brands, let’s do a side-by-side comparison to see what you’re in for.
Product Lineup
Let’s take a look at BP first, which has about five different types of shingles to choose from, with the Vanguard being the most popular one.
These shingles come in many different colors, and they’re all seen as being fairly high quality, but there clearly aren’t that many to choose from.
On the other hand, with GAF, you can expect there to be at least 15 different lineups of shingles available, which is one of the reasons the brand is so popular.
Overall Quality
In terms of overall quality, it’s not like there is anything wrong with GAF, although they are certainly not regarded as being the best shingles in the world. They are ranked fairly decent on all fronts, but not super high.
On the other hand, we have BP shingles, with the vast majority of them being ranked as premier or super high-quality shingles. You get what you pay for, and although BP shingles aren’t cheap, they also come with an unrivaled level of quality.
Durability
Based on the above point, you can safely assume that the BP has the more durable shingles. The technologies and manufacturing processes used to create BP shingles are just a bit better.
The shingles are said to have better impact resistance, less granule loss, better algae resistance, and more.
This is not to say that GAF shingles are in any way bad, but they just aren’t quite as good as BP products. Expect BP shingles to last for a significantly longer period of time.
Wind Rating
As for wind ratings, both brand names offer a wide variety of shingles that are rated at 130 mph. What is interesting to note is that BP has many shingles that are rated at 135 mph, so it would appear that BP slightly outperforms GAF on this front. Remember that BP shingles are designed for Canadian winters, which include a lot of wind and rain
Algae Resistance
What is very interesting to note here is that, although BP shingles are generally considered the better ones between the two brands, they don’t have the best algae resistance.
Now, this brand does use some technologies designed to help prevent algae from building up, but the main focus here is cold weather and wind resistance. GAF, on the other hand, has quite a few shingles and technologies designed specifically for this purpose. GAF gives BP a run for its money on this front.
Energy Efficiency
As for energy efficiency, the Timberline shingles from GAF, for instance, should provide you with a 20% payback within the first three years. Yes, these shingles are Energy Star certified, as are the majority of shingles from this brand.
However, all of the shingles from the BP brand name are Energy Star certified, so it would appear to be the better option on this front.
Fire Rating
The shingles from both of these brands feature Class A fire ratings, which is considered the best in the industry.
Warranty
GAF has 50-year warranties on most of its products, which certainly is not bad at all. BP on the other hand appears to have fairly difficult-to-void and comprehensive limited lifetime warranties, so they seem to be the winner on this front.
Price
With GAF, expect to spend anywhere between $2.50 and $3 per square foot, whereas BP shingles will cost you anywhere between $1.70 and $4 per square foot.
GAF vs. BP: Which Offers Better Roofing Shingles?
When it comes down to it, BP just has the better roofing shingles. They might not have as good a selection, and the prices aren’t as low, but the products themselves appear to be higher in quality.
At the end of the day, if you need affordability, GAF is the better choice, and if you need quality, BP is the brand for you.
How Do GAF and BP Compare with Other Shingles Brands?
See how GAF compares with: Atlas | CertainTeed | IKO | Malarkey | Owens Corning | TAMKO
See how BP compares with: CertainTeed | IKO