Built for Albuquerque's Sun, Not Just Rated for It

What Asphalt Shingle Roofing Is (and Isn't)

Asphalt shingles are overlapping panels made of a fiberglass mat coated in asphalt and mineral granules. They come in two main types: 3-tab shingles, which are flat and uniform, and architectural (dimensional) shingles, which are thicker, layered, and rated for higher wind speeds. Architectural shingles cost more upfront but hold up better under Albuquerque's UV exposure and temperature swings, which is why we install them on nearly every asphalt roof we do.

Why It Holds Up in Albuquerque's Climate

At roughly 5,300 feet of elevation, Albuquerque gets more direct UV exposure than roofs at sea level, which accelerates the breakdown of asphalt's oils over time. The bigger factor, though, is thermal cycling. The large swing between hot days and cool nights causes shingles to expand and contract repeatedly, which stresses the fasteners and seals faster than a milder, more stable climate would. A synthetic underlayment with a high heat tolerance and a properly ventilated attic both slow this process down; a bargain underlayment and poor ventilation speed it up, regardless of which shingle brand sits on top.

The Technical Specs

Color & Line Options

We install three GAF architectural lines. Timberline HDZ is our standard install, with 14 colors, GAF Time-Release Algae-Fighting Technology, LayerLock Technology, and a Lifetime Limited Warranty, plus a 15-year WindProven™ wind warranty with no maximum wind speed when installed with qualifying GAF accessories. Timberline UHDZ steps up to a Dual Shadow Line profile for deeper, more dimensional shadows, with a 30-year StainGuard Plus PRO warranty against algae discoloration. Grand Sequoia is a designer line built for a rugged, wood-shake look, available in Weathered Wood, Autumn Brown, and Charcoal, at a fraction of true cedar shake's cost and upkeep.

Timberline UHDZ
Weathered Wood

Timberline UHDZ
Charcoal

Timberline UHDZ
Barkwood

Timberline HDZ
Installed Example

The Home Inspector Says the Shingles Aren't Sealed Down. Is That a Problem?

It can be, depending on why they aren't sealed, and it's worth sorting out before the next windy spring. Asphalt shingles have a heat-activated sealant strip that bonds each course to the one below. Until that bond forms, tabs can lift and blow off in wind a sealed roof would handle.

• Cold-season install. GAF says the strip needs warmth, sun and temperatures above 40°F, and shingles installed in fall or winter may not seal until the following spring. That's normal and usually resolves on its own. See the best time of year for a roof replacement.
• Dust. GAF's installation instructions warn that shingles may never seal if the sealant gets dirty, and call for hand-sealing where blowing dust or sand is expected. That matters in Albuquerque's spring wind season.
• Steep slopes, repairs and edges. GAF Technical Bulletin R-114 covers hand-sealing these spots with dabs of roofing cement.

The warranty is the other reason to pay attention. GAF's shingle limited warranty says shingles are vulnerable to blow-offs before they seal, and that failing to seal because of cold or similar conditions isn't a manufacturing defect. Ask the installer when the roof went on and whether it was hand-sealed. On an older roof, unsealed tabs can also point to wind damage or brittle shingles, and a roofer can lift a few tabs and tell you which it is.

Good Fit / Not a Good Fit

• Good fit for standard pitched residential roofs where cost and proven performance matter most
• Good fit when attic ventilation can be brought up to code alongside the install, which matters as much as the shingle itself
• Not the longest-lasting option available. Tile and metal both outlast asphalt significantly, at a higher upfront cost

Why We Install GAF, and Why the Whole System Matters

Timberwolf is a GAF Certified contractor. We put GAF on our shingle roofs because the product holds up to New Mexico sun, wind and hail, because every part of the roof is engineered to work together, and because the warranty gets stronger when the full system goes on instead of shingles alone.

Quality you can see on the roof

• Timberline HDZ, GAF’s #1-selling shingle, is built with LayerLock™ technology and a wide StrikeZone™ nailing area designed for up to 99.9% nailing accuracy, so each shingle is fastened where it holds best.
• A Class A fire rating on Timberline shingles, the highest fire rating for roofing.
• Class 4 impact-rated GAF options for neighborhoods that see regular hail.
• Every product traces back to one manufacturer that has been making roofing since 1886 and calls itself North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer.

Why the full system, not just shingles

Shingles are only the part you see. Starter strip holds the first course down in wind. Leak barrier stops water at eaves, valleys and penetrations. Roof deck protection sits under everything as a second line of defense. Ridge cap and attic ventilation let heat and moisture out, which matters in an Albuquerque attic in July. When all of those come from one manufacturer, they’re designed and tested together, and one company stands behind the whole roof instead of several brands pointing at each other when something goes wrong.

Warranty coverage that grows with the system

• GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty: Timberline shingles installed with at least three qualifying GAF accessories.
• WindProven™ Limited Wind Warranty: 15 years with no maximum wind speed, when Timberline shingles go on with GAF starter strip, roof deck protection, ridge cap, and leak barrier or attic ventilation.
• GAF System Plus Limited Warranty: available through GAF Certified contractors like us on qualifying full systems. It adds 50 years of non-prorated coverage on defective materials, includes tear-off costs, and can transfer to the next owner if you sell.

Warranty terms, qualifying products and registration requirements are set by GAF; see the GAF limited warranties for complete coverage and restrictions. ask for a free roof report and we’ll walk you through which GAF system and warranty fit your home.

Frequently Asked Questions