Owens Corning is the second-largest roofing manufacturer in North America (behind GAF) and the company behind the iconic pink panther mascot. Their Duration line with SureNail technology is one of the most specified shingles in Florida new construction and re-roofing. This guide covers every product in their lineup with pricing and performance data specific to Pinellas County.
Owens Corning Product Lines
| Product | Type | Cost/sq ft | Wind | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supreme (3-Tab) | 3-Tab | $3.50-4.50 | 60 mph | Budget only |
| Duration | Architectural | $5.00-6.50 | 130 mph | Most FL homes |
| Duration FLEX | Architectural | $5.00-6.50 | 130 mph | Contractor preference |
| Duration STORM | Arch. Impact | $6.00-8.00 | 130 mph | Max insurance savings |
| TruDefinition Duration | Premium Arch. | $5.50-7.00 | 130 mph | Enhanced color depth |
| Woodcrest | Designer | $7.00-9.00 | 130 mph | Wood shake look |
| Woodmoor | Designer | $8.00-11.00 | 130 mph | Premium wood shake |
| Berkshire | Designer | $8.00-11.00 | 130 mph | Slate look |
SureNail Technology: Why It Matters
SureNail is Owens Corning's biggest competitive advantage. It's a woven fabric strip embedded in the nailing zone of every Duration-series shingle. Here's why it matters for Florida homeowners:
- 30% better nail pull-through: The fabric reinforcement prevents nails from ripping through the shingle during high winds. Standard shingles rely only on asphalt to hold nails in place.
- Visible nailing zone: The SureNail strip creates a clear visual target for roofers to place nails correctly. Mis-nailed shingles are the #1 installation defect in the roofing industry. SureNail virtually eliminates this.
- Inspectable after installation: Because the strip is visible, building inspectors and insurance adjusters can verify correct nailing from inside the attic. This matters for building code compliance in Florida's strict wind zones.
- 130 mph wind warranty: The SureNail system enables the 130 mph wind rating with standard 4-nail installation (no 6-nail requirement like some competitors).
Owens Corning Duration: The Core Product
The standard Duration is Owens Corning's workhorse and the direct competitor toGAF's Timberline HDZ. At $5.00-6.50/sq ft installed in Pinellas County, it's positioned slightly above GAF HDZ in both price and perceived quality.
Popular Colors for Florida
- Driftwood — Warm brown-gray blend. The best-selling OC color in Florida. Works with virtually any home exterior.
- Teak — Rich warm brown. Popular on Mediterranean and stucco homes common in Pinellas County.
- Onyx Black — Deep black with subtle gray highlights. Dramatic contrast on white or light homes.
- Estate Gray — Cool medium gray. Clean, modern look. Increasingly popular in new construction.
- Sand Dune — Light sandy tone. Best solar reflectance in this line. Good for energy efficiency.
- Desert Tan — Neutral warm beige. Classic Florida look.
Duration STORM: The Insurance Play
The Duration STORM adds Class 4 impact resistance (the highest rating) to the standard Duration platform. For Pinellas County homeowners with insurance premiums above $3,000/year, this is often the smartest upgrade available.
The math is straightforward:
- Duration STORM costs $1,500-3,500 more than standard Duration on a typical 2,000 sq ft home
- Florida insurers offer 15-30% discounts for Class 4 impact-rated roofing
- On a $5,000/year premium, that's $750-1,500 in annual savings
- Payback period: 1-4 years. After that, it's pure savings for the remaining 25+ year roof life
Combined with a wind mitigation inspection, the total insurance savings from a Duration STORM roof with full hurricane straps can reach $2,000-3,000/year in Pinellas County.
TruDefinition Duration: Enhanced Aesthetics
The TruDefinition line uses Owens Corning's proprietary color technology to create deeper, more dimensional color blends. Multiple granule colors are layered and blended for a richer appearance than standard Duration. The functional performance (wind, impact, algae) is identical to standard Duration.
At $5.50-7.00/sq ft, it's a modest $500-1,500 upgrade for a typical home. Worth considering if curb appeal is a priority, particularly in neighborhoods where home values benefit from exterior aesthetics (Belleair, Snell Isle, Northeast St. Pete, Clearwater Beach areas).
Owens Corning Warranty System
| Warranty | Requirements | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Any contractor | Lifetime limited material warranty |
| System Protection | OC Preferred contractor + OC accessories | Material + 10-yr workmanship + 10-yr tear-off |
| Preferred Protection | OC Preferred contractor + full system | Material + 25-yr workmanship + 25-yr tear-off |
| Platinum Protection | Platinum Preferred contractor + full system | Lifetime material + lifetime workmanship + lifetime tear-off (non-prorated for 10 yrs) |
The Platinum Protection warranty requires a Platinum Preferred contractor (top tier of OC's network, roughly equivalent to GAF's Master Elite). It's the strongest warranty in Owens Corning's system and provides true peace of mind for Florida homeowners concerned about storm damage.
Owens Corning vs GAF: Head-to-Head
| Feature | OC Duration | GAF Timberline HDZ |
|---|---|---|
| Key Technology | SureNail (fabric strip) | LayerLock (fused layers) |
| Wind Rating | 130 mph | 130 mph |
| Impact Option | Duration STORM (Class 4) | AS II (Class 4) |
| Algae Protection | StreakGuard (10 yr) | StainGuard Plus (25 yr) |
| Color Selection | 20+ colors | 18+ colors |
| Nailing Verification | Yes (visible SureNail strip) | No (hidden) |
| Top Warranty | Platinum (lifetime) | WindProven (unlimited wind) |
| Cost/sq ft (Pinellas) | $5.00-6.50 | $4.50-6.00 |
Both are excellent products. Owens Corning wins on installation quality control (visible SureNail), color options, and algae protection longevity. GAF wins on price point and the WindProven unlimited wind warranty. Neither is a wrong choice for Pinellas County.
Finding an OC Certified Contractor in Pinellas County
Owens Corning's contractor tiers determine your warranty eligibility. For maximum protection, look for a Platinum Preferred contractor. We're an Owens Corning certified installer serving all ofSt. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Pinellas County. Schedule a free inspection to get started.