In Chicago, a roof doesn’t just sit above your head — it earns its keep every single day. Between lake-effect snowfalls, ice dams, spring thunderstorms, and the occasional summer hailstorm, your shingles take a constant beating. The difference between a roof that lasts 15 years and one that lasts 30 often comes down to two things: the quality of the materials and the experience of the person installing them.

That’s exactly where CertainTeed certification comes in. It’s not just a credential on a business card — it’s a signal that the contractor has been trained, tested, and approved by one of the industry’s most recognized shingle manufacturers.

1. What CertainTeed Certification Actually Means

CertainTeed is one of North America’s largest roofing manufacturers, with over a century of experience producing shingles, underlayments, and roofing accessories. Their SELECT ShingleMaster™ and ShingleMaster™ programs require contractors to demonstrate real technical knowledge of product installation — not just general roofing skills.

To earn the SELECT ShingleMaster designation (the highest tier), a contractor must:

  •     Employ at least two CertainTeed-trained craftsmen
  •     Complete ongoing education requirements to stay current on installation techniques
  •     Maintain proper licensing and insurance
  •     Have a verified track record of completed projects

This isn’t a program you join just by paying a fee. It requires demonstrated competence — and that matters when you’re trusting someone with a major investment in your home.

2. Better Installation Means a Longer Warranty

Here’s something most homeowners don’t realize: many shingle manufacturers offer tiered warranties, and the highest coverage tier is often only available when the product is installed by a certified contractor.

According to CertainTeed’s official warranty documentation, their SureStart PLUS™ warranty — which includes both labor and material coverage for the first ten years — is only available through SELECT ShingleMaster contractors. If your installer isn’t certified, you may not qualify for the full coverage the product was designed to provide.

That coverage gap can be significant. If a shingle defect or installation error leads to a leak five years from now, you want both parts of that repair covered — not just the materials.

3. Proper Ventilation Is Part of the Job

One of the most overlooked factors in roof lifespan is attic ventilation. When hot air gets trapped in the attic during summer, it bakes the underside of the shingles from below — causing them to crack, curl, and age faster than they should. In winter, poor ventilation leads to ice dams along the eaves that force water back under the shingles.

CertainTeed certified installers are trained to assess ventilation as part of every roofing project. They know how to balance intake and exhaust vents to keep the attic at the right temperature year-round. This one step alone can add years to the life of your roof.

4. The Right Underlayment Makes a Difference

Shingles get most of the attention, but the underlayment beneath them is what actually keeps water out when shingles are compromised. In Chicago’s climate, where ice and snow can sit on a roof for weeks, the underlayment is critical.

Standard felt underlayment absorbs moisture and can deteriorate in freeze-thaw cycles. CertainTeed’s synthetic underlayments — like WinterGuard™ for ice dam protection — are engineered to perform in exactly these conditions. A certified installer knows when and where to use each product and applies them according to manufacturer specs, which is what keeps the warranty intact.

5. The Installation Details That DIY Gets Wrong

Even with premium materials, a roof can fail quickly if the installation details are off. Common errors include:

  •     Nailing shingles too high (reduces wind resistance and voids the warranty)
  •     Improper starter strip installation at the eaves
  •     Poor flashing technique around chimneys, pipes, and valleys
  •     Skipping drip edge, which leads to fascia rot and improper water runoff

None of these errors are obvious to the untrained eye — but they all show up within a few years as leaks, blown-off shingles, or damaged fascia. A certified installer doesn’t skip these steps because they know they’re accountable to the manufacturer’s standards.

6. Long-Term Value, Not Just Short-Term Cost

A roof replacement is one of the largest home expenses most families face. Choosing a CertainTeed certified installer Chicago homeowners trust is about getting the full value out of that investment — not just for the first year, but for the next two or three decades. Lakeland Exteriors & Roofing is a CertainTeed-certified contractor serving the Chicago area, offering the kind of installation precision and material knowledge that turns a good roof into a great one.

You’re not just buying shingles — you’re buying the quality control that comes from a trained installation, the warranty coverage that protects you if something goes wrong, and the long-term performance that means you’re not thinking about your roof again anytime soon.

What to Ask Before You Hire

When you’re comparing roofing contractors, ask directly:

  •     Are you a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certified contractor?
  •     What warranty level will I qualify for with this installation?
  •     How do you handle ventilation assessment?
  •     Can you walk me through your flashing and underlayment process?

A contractor who answers these questions confidently and in detail is one who knows their craft. A contractor who deflects or gives vague answers is one you should probably pass on.

Final Thoughts

Your roof is only as good as the person who puts it on. CertainTeed certification is one of the clearest, most verifiable ways to confirm that the contractor standing in front of you actually knows what they’re doing — and that the materials they’re installing will perform the way they’re designed to. In a city like Chicago, that’s not a detail worth skimping on.