Your Home

Beyond Basic: How Designer Shingles Lift Your Curb Appeal to New Heights

By Annie Crawford

September 12, 2025

Designer Shingles installed on a home

GAF Designer Shingles are for discerning homeowners who want to elevate their home by going beyond standard roofing options. These are luxury shingles that don't just protect your home—they also deliver a designer roof statement.

Camelot® II is a national leader in the GAF showcase collection, which also includes Grand Sequoia®, Slateline®, and Woodland® shingles—each of which offers a distinct, lifestyle-forward design that can enhance the look and character of your home.

The Power of Curb Appeal

Your home is unique. You've invested time, effort, and resources into making it yours—so why settle for a roof that blends in?

"Our Timberline HDZ® shingles are phenomenal—we sell those all day, every day," says Dominic Puccio, Senior Product Manager, Residential at GAF. "But if you want your home to stand out, luxury shingles absolutely pop from the road. You can tell these are homes or homeowners going for the best of the best."

Beyond aesthetics, the roof you choose can have a measurable impact on your home's value and your own enjoyment. The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors ranked "new roofing" among the top three home improvement projects with a perfect 10 out of 10 Joy Score. And when it comes to resale, 43% of homebuyers want new roofing, outpacing even the desire for bathroom remodels.

Dominic points out that ignoring the roof can undermine an otherwise beautiful property. "There are gorgeous homes all down my street, and some are just marred by algae streaking or obvious aging, while others have a roof that doesn't showcase the beauty of the home. I know these homeowners have the means, but they're missing a piece."

With a designer roof, it's not just a functional necessity; it's also a visual signature.

Artistry at the Top

The GAF Designer Collection of luxury shingles is artist-designed. We've worked with artisans inspired by everything from classic European architecture and rustic American traditions to organic shapes and different tones of nature.

The result? Dimension and structural shadows reminiscent of old-world manors, rugged textures of mountain landscapes, and the dramatic irregularity of a forest canopy—all translated into durable designer shingles that perform as beautifully as they look.

Camelot® II: The Slate Look, Perfected

Dominic calls Camelot® II the leader of the line for good reason—it's designed to mimic the timeless look of real slate but at a fraction of the cost and weight.

"A real slate roof looks amazing," shares Dominic. "I think of an old church in my neighborhood with genuine slate and its beauty, but most homeowners don't want to spend six figures on their roof. Camelot® II gives you that slate look but with all the benefits of asphalt: fire ratings, wind resistance, easier installation, and much easier repair."

Because it's asphalt, Camelot® II is also nationally available and works with a wide range of home styles. Dominic considers it "the most universally applicable" of the designer shingles.

"Anywhere you'd see slate, Camelot® II fits. Brick homes, colonials, larger custom builds—it gives them that old, classic, stately look."

With Camelot® II, the double-layer construction creates depth and dimensionality that single-layer shingles can't match. The color palette is custom-blended to echo the weathered variation of natural slate. Best of all, if repair is needed on these designer shingles, it's straightforward.

"If you're missing a couple of tiles from a slate roof, you've got to find the right size, shape, and color of stone," notes Dominic. "With Camelot® II, a GAF-certified contractor can just order the same shingle color and get you fixed up quickly."

Design Variety, Architectural Impact

Each shingle in the Designer Collection offers a distinct look, making it easy to match your roof to your home's personality.

Grand Sequoia®

Grand Sequoia® shingles evoke the rugged beauty of the American West and Pacific Northwest. This beautiful shingle is ideal for mountain and desert homes or luxurious lodge cabins in places like Tahoe. Bold, oversized tabs create a rustic, textured look that complements natural landscapes.

Slateline®

Slateline® shingles offer an accessible entry point to the slate look, with a single-layer design that keeps costs down while maintaining classic appeal. This option is ideal for homeowners who want the aesthetic of designer shingles without the extra depth of Camelot® II.

Woodland®

Woodland® shingles mimic hand-cut European wooden shakes with a fairytale, manor-like charm. They really shine in unique architectural settings where the romantic, old-world feel complements the home's character.

Design-Forward Durability

With GAF Designer Shingles, homeowners don't have to choose between aesthetics and performance. Every GAF Designer Shingle comes with the same great benefits:

  • Lifetime limited warranty coverage
  • Strong algae protection
  • High ratings for fire and wind resistance

Camelot® II, and all GAF designer shingles also meet certain FORTIFIED Roof™ requirements, helping protect homes in severe weather-prone areas and potentially qualifying for insurance benefits (requirements vary by region). Camelot® II shingles have also earned the Good HouseKeeping Seal.

Tools to Help You Choose

GAF makes the selection process easier with the enhanced Virtual Remodeler, where you can upload a photo of your home and experiment with shingle styles and colors. Dominic also recommends working with a GAF-certified contractor who can bring physical sample boards.

"Pictures are great, but you really need to see and feel the shingle," says Dominic. "A heavier, double-layer shingle, like Camelot® II, has a presence that photos just can't capture."

Why Go Designer?

Your roof is one of the most significant design decisions you'll make for your home—and one that many folks overlook. Choosing your designer shingle is about more than a protective layer—it's about making a statement that reflects your style, your priorities, and your pride of ownership.

As Dominic sums it up, "There's nothing wrong with blending in. But if you want to stand out—really stand out—designer shingles are the way to do it."

Ready to explore your options? Find a local GAF-certified contractor* to see samples in person and start designing the perfect roof for your home.


*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the GAF Contractor Terms of Use.

About the Author

Annie Crawford writes roofing and manufacturing, home improvement, small business strategy, romance novels, travel, and fashion. She also pens video scripts for corporate e-learning and co-creates the Romance Unzipped video podcast. She’s published in The Week, SFGate, Fodor’s Travel, Oakland Magazine, and more. Since 2020, she’s been honored to write the stories behind GAF Community Matters and showcase a global corporation continually striving to protect people and the planet. GAF highlights include Gulf Region resilience work with GAF and acclaimed actor Anthony Mackie, the GAF and Habitat for Humanity partnership, and GAF leadership in building a diverse, skilled roofing workforce. Find more of her work at annielcrawford.com.