Our Certifications
Three Certifications
Most Contractors
Never Qualify For.
GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed ShingleMaster, and FORTIFIED Certified aren’t marketing badges. Here’s what each one actually requires — and what it means for your roof.
Why This Matters to You
The Certifications Determine
What Warranties You Can Receive
Manufacturers like GAF and CertainTeed only offer their highest warranty tiers through contractors who have earned and maintained the corresponding certification. If your contractor isn’t certified, certain warranty options simply don’t exist for your project — regardless of what they tell you.
These certifications also require demonstrated installation knowledge, ongoing quality audits, and financial accountability. They’re not purchased or completed through a one-day seminar. They represent a sustained standard of practice.
<2%
of roofers are GAF Master Elite
3
elite certifications — Branded E holds all
12
SRS+HD Pro contractors in all North Texas
0
typical contractors hold all three
Fewer than 2% of roofing contractors nationwide
GAF Master Elite® Contractor
The Highest Designation GAF Offers
GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. Their Master Elite designation is the highest contractor status they award — and it requires significantly more than just buying GAF products.
Less than 2% of roofing contractors in the country achieve Master Elite status. In many markets, there are no Master Elite contractors at all. Earning the designation requires demonstrated business stability, proper licensing and insurance, commitment to ongoing training, and a reputation for quality that GAF actively monitors.
What GAF Requires for Master Elite Status:
- Verified contractor licensing appropriate for the state
- Proper liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage
- Demonstrated financial stability and business longevity
- Commitment to ongoing technical training through GAF’s programs
- Positive reputation verified by GAF — including homeowner feedback
- Annual renewal with continued compliance
What This Means for Your Warranty
Only GAF Master Elite contractors can offer the GAF Lifetime Roofing System warranty — the most comprehensive coverage GAF provides. This includes the Golden Pledge® warranty, which adds labor costs to the standard materials coverage. These warranty tiers are not available through non-certified contractors, regardless of what shingles they install.
What This Means for Your Installation
Master Elite status signals ongoing accountability. GAF monitors these contractors and can revoke the designation. A contractor with active Master Elite status is one that has maintained GAF’s standards continuously — not just earned the badge once years ago.
Manufacturer-verified installation expertise
CertainTeed ShingleMaster™
CertainTeed’s Elite Residential Contractor Designation
CertainTeed is one of the largest building products manufacturers in North America. Their ShingleMaster designation recognizes contractors who have demonstrated specific installation expertise and meet CertainTeed’s requirements for quality and accountability.
Earning ShingleMaster certification requires passing a technical assessment and meeting business requirements similar to GAF’s Master Elite program. Only ShingleMaster contractors can offer CertainTeed’s SureStart PLUS extended warranty.
What CertainTeed Requires:
- Technical knowledge assessment specific to CertainTeed products and installation
- Verified licensing and insurance documentation
- Meeting CertainTeed’s business and reputation standards
- Commitment to installation practices that support extended warranty coverage
SureStart PLUS Extended Warranty
ShingleMaster certification unlocks CertainTeed’s SureStart PLUS warranty — which adds significant labor coverage beyond the standard material warranty. If installation-related issues occur within the SureStart PLUS coverage period, both materials and labor are covered. This is not available through standard contractors.
Holding Both GAF and CertainTeed Certifications
Most contractors align with one manufacturer. Holding both GAF Master Elite and CertainTeed ShingleMaster means we can offer the highest warranty tier from either manufacturer — you choose the system that’s right for your home, and the warranty coverage follows.
Insurance company-recognized construction standard
FORTIFIED Certified Roofer
Storm-Resistant Construction for the Insurance Designation Program
FORTIFIED is a construction standard and designation program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). It was specifically designed to help structures better withstand natural hazards — particularly the hail and wind events common across North Texas.
A FORTIFIED certification on your home requires both a certified contractor and a certified evaluator. The installation must meet specific technical requirements, and the result is documented for insurance purposes. Some carriers offer premium discounts for FORTIFIED-designated homes.
What FORTIFIED Construction Requires:
- Sealed roof deck — reduces the risk of catastrophic failure in high winds
- Fortified roof covering — impact-resistant shingles meeting specific ratings
- Sealed roof-to-wall connections — prevents wind uplift at the eaves
- Specific fastening patterns verified during installation
- Third-party evaluation and documentation for the designation
Why This Matters in North Texas
Wise and Tarrant Counties sit in one of the most active hail corridors in the United States. Standard installation methods weren’t designed for that reality. FORTIFIED construction methods were — with specific requirements addressing the types of damage most commonly seen after severe weather in this region.
Potential Insurance Benefits
Some insurance carriers offer premium discounts for homes with FORTIFIED designations. Ask your agent whether your carrier participates. Even where discounts aren’t available, FORTIFIED-constructed roofs generally support stronger insurance claims when damage does occur — because the construction documentation is already in place.
Additional Recognition
SRS + Home Depot
Pro Referral Program
Branded E Roofing was selected as one of only 12 roofing contractors across North Texas for the exclusive SRS Distribution + Home Depot Pro Referral Program.
This isn’t a contractor who paid for placement. SRS Distribution and Home Depot Pro vet their referral partners independently — looking at quality of work, reputation, and reliability. Being selected means the largest names in roofing materials distribution have done their own due diligence and chose to put their name behind ours.
In a market with thousands of contractors, being one of 12 selected across the entire North Texas region is significant. We don’t take it lightly.
What This Selection Means
- Independently vetted by SRS Distribution — a national roofing materials distributor
- Approved by Home Depot Pro for the referral program
- One of only 12 contractors selected across all of North Texas
- Third-party verification that the industry’s major players trust our work
How We Compare
What Certified vs. Standard Contractors Can Offer
These differences aren’t about marketing claims. They’re about what’s contractually available to you based on the contractor’s certification status.
| Capability | Standard Contractor | Branded E Roofing |
|---|---|---|
| GAF Lifetime Roofing System warranty | Not available | ✓ Available — GAF Master Elite required |
| GAF Golden Pledge® labor warranty | Not available | ✓ Available — GAF Master Elite required |
| CertainTeed SureStart PLUS warranty | Not available | ✓ Available — ShingleMaster required |
| FORTIFIED designation documentation | Not available | ✓ Available — FORTIFIED Certified required |
| SRS + Home Depot Pro referral status | Not selected | ✓ One of 12 in North Texas |
| Ongoing manufacturer quality audits | None required | ✓ Annual — certifications require renewal |
| Forensic investigation methodology | Not standard practice | ✓ Every project, before any recommendation |
Put the Credentials to Work
Your Roof Deserves a Contractor
Who’s Actually Qualified to Do It Right.
Schedule a thorough roof inspection. We’ll document what you have and tell you exactly what your best options are — backed by credentials that mean something.
Most inspections scheduled within 1–2 days · No pressure · No obligation