Both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles are high-performing, durable, and sustainable asphalt roofing shingle lines, which protect, add value and enhance the beauty of the exterior of your house.
If you’re planning your new roof or upgrading for your home improvement project, you might be wondering which of the two—Timberline® HD® Shingles or Timberline® NS Shingles will be a great solution for your roofing needs.
In this article, we will provide you with all relevant information about Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles to help you understand the difference between the two shingle lines.
Below is the review of everything you need to know: their company overview, costs, warranty coverage, durability and sustainability properties, and installation tips.
Timberline Natural Shadow Overview
Timberline® NS (Natural Shadow) Shingles is a residential roofing shingle product line made by GAF, a roofing and waterproofing manufacturer based in North America. The company offers residential and commercial roofing systems and solar roofing products, including shingles, fiber-cement siding, roof and wall nail base insulation, ductwork, and pavement coatings.
Timberline® NS Shingles is an architectural shingle made of fiberglass asphalt construction materials with a wood-shake look and an exposure specification of 5 5/8″ or (144 mm).
It has eight color options available, including Arctic White, Barkwood, Charcoal, Hickory, Pewter Gray, Shakewood, Slate, and Weathered Wood.
Timberline HD Overview
Timberline HD® Shingles (High Definition) is also a residential roofing shingle line made by GAF.
It is an architectural shingle style made of the material fiberglass with a wood-shake look. It has 16 available color choices, including Barkwood, Birchwood, Biscayne Blue, Charcoal, Driftwood, Fox Hollow Gray, Hickory, Hunter Green, Mission Brown, Oyster Gray, Patriot Red, Shakewood, Slate, Weathered Wood, Williamsburg Slate and Pewter Gray (explore our article on ‘Timberline Pewter Gray versus Charcoal‘).
Moreover, Timberline® HDZ™ RS+ (Reflector Series Plus) Shingles is a specialty architectural shingle type of Timberline HD® Shingles. It is also made of fiberglass asphalt construction material with a wood-shake look and enhanced shadow effect and an exposure specification of 5.625″ or (144 mm).
Timberline® HDZ™ RS+ Shingles is available in five color variations, including Aged Chestnut Plus, Charcoal Plus, Hickory Plus, Sagewood Plus, and Stone Gray Plus.
While we compare Timberline HD with Timberline Natural Shadow shingles in this article, we further analyze the former in our Timberline HD vs Timberline American Harvest shingles comparison.
Timberline Natural Shadow vs Timberline HD: Comparison
In general, the price of Timberline HD® Shingles ranges from $3 to $5 per square foot and $90 to $125 per square, which is equivalent to 100 square feet. If the installation costs are included, the price of Timberline HD® Shingles ranges from $350 to $450.
For the Timberline HDZ Reflector Series (RS+), the price for the materials alone cost ranges from $99 to $135. With the installation costs included, it ranges from about $375 to $500.
The price for Timberline® NS Shingles typically ranges from $90 to $115. It only includes the cost of the materials alone. If the installation costs are included, the price of the Timberline® NS Shingles ranges from $350 to $450.
For the most accurate pricing of both and Timberline® NS Shingles, you can get them through authorized contractors or distributors of GAF. You can also check the available list on the website of GAF (check out our analysis of Tamko and GAF).
GAF offers a Limited Warranty for all Timberline® Shingles, including Timberline HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles, except for Timberline® ULTRA.
Their Limited Warranty comes into four types: GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty, System Plus Limited Warranty, Silver Pledge Limited Warranty, and Golden Pledge Limited Warranty.
Both GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty and GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty offer 10 years of warranty coverage for the Smart Choice Protection Period, and System Plus Limited Warranty, Silver Pledge Limited Warranty, and Golden Pledge Limited Warranty offers 50 years of warranty coverage for the Smart Choice Protection Period.
For the Algae Warranty Term, all Timberline® Shingles feature 10 years of warranty coverage StainGuard-Labeled Shingles or Ridge Cap Shingles, and 15 years of warranty coverage for the Wind Warranty Term.
Moreover, the Lifetime Limited Warranty applies to the original owner or the subsequent owner where the Timberline® Shingles and accessories are installed. The warranty is transferrable only by the original owner to the second owner during the Smart Choice Protection Period.
The warranty also covers the accessories, including GAF Ridge Cap Shingles, GAF Roof Deck Protection Products, GAF Cobra Ventilation Products, GAF Leak Barrier Products, and GAF Starter Strip Shingles.
Both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles are designed with Advanced Protection® Shingle Technology that provides durability and sturdiness to the roofing shingles. This technology enhances the wind lift resistance for a better shingle performance against extreme weather conditions.
Advanced Protection® Shingle Technology helps enhance the glass fibers for supreme durability and strength and optimize the flexibility and fire resistance of both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles.
The Timberline® Shingles also feature a LayerLock™ Technology that blends the shingle layers to enhance the wind lift resistance. They also have a StrikeZone™ nailing area that provides ease of installation and about 99.9% nailing accuracy.
Moreover, both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles feature an excellent sealant or adhesive named Dura Grip™, which is paired with the StrikeZone™ nailing area’s surface with smooth micro granule for strength, durability, and superior wind uplift performance.
They both also use StainGuard™ Time Release Technology, which utilizes engineered capsules with copper microsites that helps protect the roof against algae stains.
Both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles deliver sustainable and eco-friendly asphalt roofing shingles by recycling, regrinding, and reusing waste shingles discarded by consumers through a patented process. Using recycled asphalt shingles helps reduce waste transferred to landfills.
Timberline Natural Shadow vs Timberline HD: Final Showdown
Both Timberline® HD® Shingles and Timberline® NS Shingles deliver high-performing, durable, and sustainable asphalt roofing shingles that are an excellent choice to protect your roof from extreme weather conditions while providing a modern and aesthetic appeal to your exterior.
If you want a durable and sturdy roofing shingle with good warranty coverage at a fraction of a cost, then Timberline® NS Shingles is an ideal choice for you. If you prefer an asphalt roofing shingle with a wide variety of product lines and color choices, then Timberline® HD® Shingles can provide flexibility for you.
