CertainTeed Presidential Shake TL: Is the Industry's Best-Looking Shingle Worth the Premium?

I'm going to say something that I know a lot of roofers agree with: the CertainTeed Presidential Shake TL is the nicest looking asphalt shingle in the industry. Not one of the nicest. The nicest. I've talked to contractors across the country who feel the same way, and I've confirmed it on every roof where I've installed one.

That doesn't automatically mean it's the right shingle for every homeowner. It's expensive. It's heavy. It's more labor-intensive to install. But if you're considering a premium roof and you care about how it looks — really looks, not just "it's fine" looks — this is the shingle you need to understand.

What Makes the Presidential Shake TL Different

CertainTeed makes two Presidential Shake products, and the difference between them matters.

Presidential Shake (Standard) — The Dual-Layer

The standard Presidential Shake is a two-layer luxury shingle that weighs 355 pounds per square. That's already significantly heavier than a Landmark Pro (270 lbs) or a GAF Timberline HDZ (220 lbs). The dual-layer construction creates a sculptured tab that gives genuine depth — the shingle doesn't just look like wood shake from a distance, it actually creates shadow lines that shift as the sun moves across the roof.

Seven color options: Aged Bark, Autumn Blend, Charcoal Black, Classic Weathered Wood, Country Gray, Platinum, and Shadow Gray. These are all in the warm-to-neutral range that works with wood shake aesthetics. Impact rating is Class 3 (some colors offer Class 4). Wind warranty is 110 mph standard, 130 mph with proper CertainTeed accessories.

Presidential Shake TL — The Triple Laminate

This is the flagship. TL stands for Triple Laminate — three layers of fiberglass-reinforced asphalt laminated together using CertainTeed's Tri-Laminate technology.

The weight tells the story: 480 pounds per square. That's more than double the weight of a standard Landmark (230 lbs). It's 125 pounds per square heavier than the already-heavy standard Presidential Shake. When you're standing next to a pallet of Presidential TL bundles, you know you're looking at a different category of product.

The triple laminate construction creates the deepest shadow lines and most dimensional profile of any asphalt shingle manufactured today. The visual difference between a standard Presidential and the TL is dramatic — the third layer adds a level of depth and texture that genuinely mimics thick-cut cedar shakes.

UL Class 4 impact resistance — the highest rating available. This means it passed the steel ball drop test simulating a 2-inch hailstone at terminal velocity. In a hail-prone market like the Twin Cities, that's real protection and real insurance savings.

UL Class A fire rating. 30-year StreakFighter algae resistance. Lifetime limited transferable warranty with 10-year SureStart non-prorated coverage.

What It Looks Like on the Roof

Here's where words aren't enough, but I'll try.

A Presidential Shake TL roof doesn't look like other asphalt roofs. It doesn't look like a "nice shingle." It looks like a completely different material. I've had neighbors walk across the street during installations and ask if we're putting on real cedar shake. That happens on almost every Presidential TL job we do.

The triple-layer construction creates thick, irregular shadow lines that change throughout the day as the sun angle shifts. Morning light emphasizes the depth of the profile. Midday light reveals the granule color blending. Evening light catches the edges and creates a warmth that flat shingles can't reproduce.

On a home with the right architecture — craftsman, Tudor, colonial, French country, anything with character and dimension — the Presidential TL transforms the entire house. It takes a home from "nice" to "that house." You know the one I mean. The house on the block that makes you slow down when you drive past.

The color palette leans into natural wood tones. Aged Bark is the most popular — a rich, warm brown with subtle variation that looks like weathered cedar. Autumn Blend mixes warm browns and coppers. Charcoal Black offers a bolder statement for homes that can carry it.

If I had one criticism of the Presidential line, it's that the color palette is limited to seven options. I'd love to see CertainTeed expand into cool grays and slate tones. But the colors they do offer are beautifully blended with their Max Definition technology.

The Cost Reality

The Presidential Shake TL is a premium product and it's priced accordingly. Material cost runs $400 to $650+ per square depending on the color and your market. That's roughly three to four times the material cost of a standard Landmark ($125-$165/square).

Installation labor is higher too. The TL is heavier and more complex to install than a standard architectural shingle. The triple-layer construction requires more care in handling, cutting, and alignment. A Presidential TL job takes longer than a Landmark Pro job of the same size, and the labor cost reflects that.

All-in, a Presidential Shake TL roof typically runs $12 to $18 per square foot installed, compared to $7 to $10 per square foot for a Landmark Pro. On a 2,500 square foot roof, that's the difference between $17,500-$25,000 and $30,000-$45,000. It's real money.

But here's the perspective I give homeowners: you're going to live with this roof for 30+ years. You're going to look at it every time you pull into the driveway. You're going to see it in every photo of your home. A roof isn't a furnace — it's not hidden in the basement. It's 40% of your home's visible exterior. If there's one place where aesthetics matter, it's the roof.

Who Should Consider the Presidential Shake TL

 You plan to stay in your home long-term. The premium cost spreads over 30+ years. At that timeframe, the cost-per-year difference between a Presidential TL and a Landmark Pro is about $500-$800 per year. That's less than most monthly car payments.

Your home has the architecture to carry it. A Presidential TL on a basic rambler is overkill. But on a two-story colonial, a craftsman with prominent gable ends, a Tudor with steep pitches — the visual impact is transformative.

You're replacing a cedar shake roof. If your home currently has real wood shake (common on homes built in the 70s and 80s across the Twin Cities), the Presidential TL is the only asphalt shingle that truly replicates that look. You get the aesthetic you love without the fire risk, maintenance, and rot concerns that come with real wood.

Curb appeal is a priority. Whether it's personal pride of ownership or future resale value, a Presidential TL roof is a statement. It signals quality in a way that no other asphalt shingle can match.

Who Should Look at Other Options

You're primarily concerned with function over aesthetics. The NorthGate ClimateFlex gives you Class 4 impact resistance with SBS-modified asphalt for cold-climate flexibility at a significantly lower price point. It won't look like the Presidential TL, but it's arguably a better technical performer for pure weather protection.

You're selling the home within 5 years. A Landmark Pro will pass any home inspection, looks sharp, and costs substantially less. The resale premium for a Presidential TL roof exists, but it may not fully recover the additional investment in a short ownership window.

Budget is the primary concern. No judgment here. A Landmark Pro at 270 lbs/square with Class 3 impact is an excellent roof. You should never stretch your budget to the point of discomfort for a shingle upgrade.

The Performance Underneath the Beauty

I want to make something clear: the Presidential TL isn't just a pretty shingle. The performance specs are top-tier.

480 lbs per square is serious material. That weight means exceptional granule retention, superior wind resistance, and a mat that lies heavy and flat on the deck. This shingle doesn't flutter in high wind the way lighter products can.

Class 4 impact rating is the highest available under UL 2218. In a market where hail damage drives more insurance claims than any other peril, that rating translates to real protection and meaningful insurance premium discounts.

SBS-modified asphalt is used in the construction, which gives the shingle flexibility in cold weather that standard oxidized asphalt doesn't have. In Minnesota, where we see temperatures drop well below zero, that flexibility reduces the risk of cracking during thermal cycling.

30-year StreakFighter algae resistance means the roof maintains its visual appeal for three decades. That's important on a product where aesthetics are the primary selling point.

Lifetime limited transferable warranty with 10-year SureStart covers 100% of materials and labor for manufacturing defects during the first decade. When you use a full CertainTeed Integrity Roof System installed by a credentialed contractor like us, that coverage can extend up to 50 years through SureStart PLUS.

Quick Comparison to Other CertainTeed Products

The Bottom Line

The CertainTeed Presidential Shake TL is the best-looking asphalt shingle on the market. That's not marketing — that's the consensus of roofers who've installed everything. The triple laminate construction, the weight, the depth of the shadow lines, the color quality — nothing else in asphalt comes close.

Is it worth the premium? If you value how your home looks, plan to stay long-term, and have the budget — absolutely. This is the shingle that makes people slow down when they drive past your house.

If budget or pure function is the priority, CertainTeed has products that deliver exceptional performance at lower price points. The Landmark Pro and NorthGate ClimateFlex are both outstanding choices for Minnesota homeowners.

Either way, we install them all. Call us at 952-206-6339 and we'll talk through which CertainTeed product fits your home, your aesthetic, and your budget. We're ShingleMaster certified, which means we can offer the strongest warranty coverage on every product in their lineup.

About Modern Exterior Systems

Modern Exterior Systems is a women-owned, family-operated roofing and exterior contractor based in Eden Prairie, MN, serving the Twin Cities metro since 2007. CertainTeed ShingleMaster and Malarkey Emerald certified. LIFETIME workmanship warranty on every project. BBB Accredited with an A+ rating.