The roof color plays an integral role as it not only helps match the exterior house color but also enhances the curb appeal. And if you’re building a new roof or planning to transform your existing roof’s look, you might be wondering which color suits your house best.
Choosing amongst a wide selection of roofing shingle colors can be a daunting and overwhelming task. So we’ve narrowed it down to two popular shingle colors from Owens Corning™— Quarry Gray and Estate Gray.
Here’s a comprehensive guide covering everything you need to know to help you decide which color suits your needs and personal style.
Quarry Gray and Estate G Overview
Both Quarry Gray and Estate Gray are popular roofing shingle colors from the company Owens Corning®.
Owens Corning® is a manufacturer and distributor of insulation, roofing, fiberglass composites, building products, and solutions for residential and commercial applications. The company mainly provides high-performing architectural and laminated roofing shingles, which are categorized into four shingle lines: Duration®, Duration® Designer, Duration® Flex, and Oakridge®.
The Quarry Gray is only available in the shingle line Duration®, while the Estate Gray is included to three shingle lines, Duration®, Duration® Flex, and Oakridge®.
It’s important to note that since Quarry Gray and Estate Gray are roofing shingle colors from Owens Corning®, most aspects of both products are the same. But there will also be differences in terms of the shingle lines they represent, as each has various features that are unique to one another.
Quarry Gray vs Estate Gray: Comparison
All roofing shingle lines of Owens Corning™ have the Total Protection Roofing System™ that ensures all of its roofing components and products are highly designed, engineered, and tested for high-quality durability and protection. This system provides a waterproof barrier that hinders moisture and water away from the roof deck to prevent the formation of mold and rot.
In addition, Total Protection Roofing System™ also has a synthetic underlayment that makes the roofing shingles more durable, acting as the last line of defense to prevent rain damage and blow-offs caused by harsh environmental conditions.
Moreover, all the shingle lines have StreakGuard™ Algae Resistance Protection which prevents the build-up of mold and algae using colorful granules, making the shingles durable, long-lasting, and enhancing the curb appeal of the house. The infused bright granules are available in a wide selection of shingle colors, including the Quarry Gray and Estate Gray.
The difference between the two is that Duration® can withstand winds of 130 mph, while Oakridge® can only resist high winds up to 110 mph.
Read also: Exceptional Brands for Synthetic Roof Underlayment
In terms of gripping power, both Quarry Gray and Estate Gray are similar because the shingle lines they are available in offer excellent holding or gripping power for their nailing zone performance.
The only difference is that the shingle line Duration®, which Quarry Gray is only available in, provides more strength and gripping power as it uses their patented SureNail® Technology. It is a technological breakthrough that uses engineered fabric strips or overlays with a triple reinforcement layer that fastens the shingles better to resist nail blow-offs, nail pull, and high winds.
It also features Triple Layer Protection® for an enhanced adhesive power to prevent the roofing shingles from separating even if impacted by high winds or exposed to high temperatures.
On the other hand, the shingle line Oakridge® doesn’t feature the SureNail® Technology, but it uses a double-layer nailing zone that provides excellent nailing zone performance and gripping power.
Both Quarry Gray and Estate Gray provide excellent energy efficiency properties, as they have colorful reflective granules that reflect the sun rays to reduce the heat transferred to the house interior and help keep the roof cooler.
The infused granules in the shingle colors also help slow the asphalt’s aging while enhancing the appearance and curb appeal of the house by adding dimension to the roof. Moreover, all shingle lines are ENERGY STAR® certified, which helps reduce the CO2 emissions and environmental impact as there’s less energy consumption.
In general, the standard Owens Corning™ Shingles price ranges from $70 to $300 per square foot, while the premium shingle line may range from $250 to $300. This price range applies to the roofing materials alone. With the installation fees and other costs, the price ranges from $3,000 to $8,000.
Regarding cost, Quarry Gray and Estate Gray will only differ depending on your chosen shingle line.
The shingle line Duration®, which Quarry Gray is only available in, costs around $100 per square foot. On the other hand, the Oakridge®, one of the shingle lines Estate Gray is available, ranges from $90 per square foot.
In terms of warranty, both Quarry Gray and Estate Gray offer great warranty coverage with a wide variety of types to choose from since they come from the same shingle brand.
Owens Corning™ offers four roofing lifetime warranties that cover all shingle lines. It includes the Standard Product Limited Warranty, System Protection Limited Warranty, Preferred Protection Limited, and Platinum Protection Limited Warranty.
The Standard Product Limited Warranty provides 10-year coverage for all components and covers the first 10 years of the TRU PROtection® Period and StreakGuard™ Algae Resistance. After 10 years, the materials-only coverage will be applicable, and the Blow-off coverage will be applicable for the first 15 years.
For the System Protection Limited Warranty, Preferred Protection Limited Warranty, and Platinum Protection Limited Warranty, the components’ overall warranty length will be 50 years. For the first 50 years, the TRU PROtection® Period coverage will be applicable, while the materials-only applies only after 50 years. In addition, the StreakGuard™ Algae Resistance is available for the first 10 years, and the Blow-off coverage applies for the first 15 years.
Quarry Gray vs Estate Gray: Final Showdown
Both Quarry Gray and Estate Gray are shades of gray shingle colors that give a roof a pristine, modernized look. Both contain colorful reflective granules that add dramatic color contrast for stunning curb appeal for your roof. Both also feature unique shadow lines that add a dimensional look to any roof.
Although they are both shades of gray, the difference is that Quarry Gray has a lighter tone than Estate Gray. Lighter tones keep the house cooler as it reflects and diffuses the sun’s energy. On the other hand, the darker tones absorb heat, but it’s more eye-catching and beneficial for areas in cold climates as it can help keep the house’s interior warmer.
If you prefer a darker tone Estate Gray, the exterior house colors that work best with it are either neutral to earth tones like desert beige, off-white, or dark green for contrast. It will also be an excellent background color for warm colors, such as red, yellow, or orange, especially if it’s a brick house, as it creates a focal point towards the house exterior.
If you prefer a lighter tone, the exterior house colors that work best with it are white, beige, or cream for a crisp appearance. Darker brown, grey, and blue tones also work best, as they create a dramatic flair while providing a contemporary look.
