Shingle Options for Middle Tennessee Homes
Short answer: Good, Better and Best is how we sort shingles by what they're built to take. Good is a Class 3 architectural shingle. Better is a Class 4 impact-rated shingle, the top rating under the UL 2218 hail test. Best is a designer shingle with a slate or shake look, and most of those are Class 4 as well. For most Middle Tennessee homes, our go-to is the Malarkey Vista AR: Class 4, algae-resistant, and a shingle our crews know by heart.
Every rating on this page comes from the manufacturer's own product pages and warranties. Links are at the bottom. Warranties have conditions, so the written warranty for your roof is what counts, and we hand you a copy.
What do the ratings mean?
Impact (UL 2218). The lab drops steel balls on the shingle, from 1.25 inches (Class 1) up to 2 inches (Class 4). A Class 4 shingle has to survive the 2-inch ball without cracking. Hail in a real storm can still damage any roof, but a Class 4 shingle gives you the most margin.
Wind. The number is the wind speed the manufacturer's warranty covers. Most brands have a standard number and a higher one that needs their starter strip, hip and ridge caps or extra nails. We install to the higher requirement when the brand offers one.
Algae. Copper granules slow the blue-green algae that cause black streaks on north-facing and shaded slopes. If that's already on your roof, our black streaks guide explains what it is.
Good: Class 3 architectural shingles
A solid, dimensional shingle for a home you plan to keep for years in a part of the county that doesn't see much hail. These are the lines most builders upgraded to in the 2000s.
| Shingle | Impact (UL 2218) | Wind warranty | Algae warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malarkey Highlander AR | Class 3 | 110 mph standard, 130 mph with enhanced install | 15 years |
| GAF Timberline HDZ | Class 3 (only bundles carrying the PRI statement) | WindProven 15-year, no maximum wind speed, with 4 qualifying GAF accessories | 25 years (StainGuard Plus) |
| CertainTeed Landmark | Class 3 | 15-year 110 mph, upgrade to 160 mph with CertainTeed starter and hip and ridge | 25 years (StreakFighter) |
| Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration | Class 3 | 130 mph | Up to 25 years with Owens Corning hip and ridge, 10 years without |
| TAMKO Heritage | No UL 2218 class listed for standard Heritage | Up to 130 mph with TAMKO's high-wind install | Algae-resistant versions available, terms per TAMKO's warranty |
Better: Class 4 impact-rated shingles (our pick)
This is where we steer most families in Middle Tennessee. Spring hail runs through the whole area, and a Class 4 shingle takes the 2-inch steel ball test without cracking. Some insurance companies give a premium credit for it. Ask your agent, since it varies by carrier.
Why Vista AR is Don's go-to: Malarkey builds it with rubberized NEX asphalt, so the shingle flexes under impact instead of cracking. It's rated Class 4, carries a 25-year algae warranty with 3M copper granules, and gets a 130 mph wind warranty with Malarkey's enhanced install. Malarkey also lists it as meeting the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard. Our crews install both Vista and Vista AR and prefer the AR version for shaded lots and tree-lined streets.
| Shingle | Impact (UL 2218) | Wind warranty | Algae warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malarkey Vista AR (our go-to) | Class 4 | 110 mph standard, 130 mph with enhanced install | 25 years |
| Malarkey Legacy Scotchgard | Class 4 | 110 mph standard, 130 mph with enhanced install | Lifetime (blue-green algae) |
| GAF Timberline UHDZ with UltraMat | Class 4 (check the bundle for the Class 4 statement) | WindProven with qualifying GAF accessories | 30 years (StainGuard Plus PRO) |
| TAMKO Heritage IR | Class 4 | Per TAMKO's warranty | Per TAMKO's warranty |
More on hail ratings, insurance and how Class 4 roofs hold up: Class 4 impact-resistant shingles in Tennessee.
Best: designer shingles with a slate or shake look
Designer shingles are thicker and heavier, with deep shadow lines that read as slate or cedar from the street. Most of the current lines are also Class 4, so you don't trade toughness for looks.
| Shingle | Look | Impact (UL 2218) | Wind warranty | Algae warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malarkey Windsor Scotchgard | Heavy shake | Class 4 | 110 mph standard, 140 mph with enhanced install | Lifetime (blue-green algae) |
| CertainTeed Grand Manor | Heavy slate | Class 4 | 110 mph, 130 mph with CertainTeed starter and hip and ridge | 30 years (StreakFighter) |
| GAF Camelot II | Slate | Class 4 (only bundles carrying the PRI statement) | 110 mph standard, 130 mph with special install | 25 years (StainGuard Plus) |
| GAF Grand Sequoia | Oversized shake | Class 4 | 110 mph, 130 mph per GAF designer terms | 25 years (StainGuard Plus) |
| Owens Corning Woodmoor | Heavy shake | Class 4 | 130 mph | 25 years (StreakGuard) |
See finished examples and how we handle flashing on high-end homes on our luxury roofing page.
Beyond asphalt
Some homes call for something other than shingles. Our own crews also install clay and concrete tile, synthetic slate from DaVinci and Brava (both offer Class 4 slate lines), standing seam metal, and copper work like bay window roofs, valleys and chimney flashing. For natural slate and cedar, see slate and cedar shake roofing.
How we help you choose
We start with a free inspection. We look at how much hail your street has seen, how shaded the roof is, the pitch, the attic ventilation and any HOA color rules. Then we write a quote that names the exact product line and color, so you know what's going on your house.. If you want to spread out the cost, you can check options through Acorn Finance.
Shingle questions we hear a lot
Which shingle does Roof Troops recommend most often?
Malarkey Vista AR. It carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, a 25-year algae warranty and a 130 mph wind warranty with Malarkey's enhanced install. Our crews install both Vista and Vista AR and prefer AR because the algae protection matters on shaded Middle Tennessee roofs.
Does a Class 4 shingle lower my insurance premium?
It can, but it depends on your insurance company and policy. Some carriers give a credit for UL 2218 Class 4 shingles and some don't. Call your agent before you choose, and we'll give you the product paperwork they ask for.
What does an algae warranty actually cover?
It covers the black streaks caused by blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa magma). It does not cover moss, lichen or green algae, and the terms vary by brand. Some brands shorten the algae term if their own hip and ridge caps aren't used.
Do wind warranties mean the shingle can't blow off?
No. A wind warranty is a coverage promise with conditions, such as the brand's starter strip, hip and ridge caps, nail count and a full tear-off. It is not a lab guarantee that nothing will ever lift. We install to the requirements for the higher wind tier whenever the brand offers one.
Do you install anything besides asphalt shingles?
Yes. Our own crews also install clay and concrete tile, synthetic slate from DaVinci and Brava, standing seam metal and copper details like bay roofs, valleys and chimney flashing.
Want help choosing? Book a free roof inspection. We'll bring samples of the shingles you're considering and give you a straight answer on which one fits your house.
Call 615-258-9977 Book a free inspection
Protect the Home. Earn the Trust.
Sources: Ratings come from each manufacturer's product page or warranty, checked October 2026: Malarkey Vista AR, Malarkey Highlander AR, Malarkey Legacy, Malarkey Windsor, GAF Timberline HDZ, GAF Timberline UHDZ, GAF Camelot II, GAF Grand Sequoia, CertainTeed Landmark, CertainTeed Grand Manor, Owens Corning Duration, Owens Corning Woodmoor, TAMKO Heritage. Warranties have conditions and change over time. The signed warranty for your roof controls.