What Is the Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System?

The Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System is Owens Corning's name for a roof built from its own matched layers instead of shingles alone. Owens Corning groups the system into three areas it calls SEAL, DEFEND and BREATHE: ice and water barrier and synthetic underlayment to keep water off the roof deck, starter shingles, shingles and hip and ridge shingles to protect against wind and weather, and intake and exhaust ventilation to keep attic air moving. It also recommends attic insulation to meet current Department of Energy guidance, and it notes the system excludes non-Owens Corning products such as flashing, fasteners and wood decking.

The system matters most when you look at the warranty. According to Owens Corning's warranty overview, its System Protection warranty requires at least three Owens Corning components (one hip and ridge product plus two others) and installation by an Owens Corning Platinum or Preferred contractor, and it extends the non-prorated TRU PROtection period to 50 years. Preferred Protection and Platinum Protection require at least four components, including hip and ridge and underlayment. Owens Corning's standard warranty also ties Duration's 160 mph wind rating and 25-year algae coverage to specific Owens Corning components. In other words, two roofs with the same Duration shingles can carry very different warranties depending on what goes underneath and along the edges. This guide walks through each layer, the Owens Corning products in it, and what to look for on your estimate.

What Are the Layers of the Total Protection Roofing System?

Owens Corning describes the system in four parts:

• SEAL: "Powerful two-part protection" that helps keep moisture away from the roof deck, using ice and water barrier and synthetic underlayment.

• DEFEND: "Three kinds of shingles" that work together on different parts of the roof: starter shingles, field shingles and hip and ridge shingles.

• BREATHE: Intake and exhaust ventilation that create a balanced flow "where warm, humid air is continually replaced by cool, dry air."

• COMFORT: Attic insulation added to meet current Department of Energy recommendations.

The first three are the roofing layers most homeowners see on a replacement estimate, so they are the focus of this guide.

What Does the SEAL Layer Include?

The SEAL layer is the waterproofing under your shingles, and Owens Corning splits it into two products.

Ice and water barrier goes where water tends to collect or flow. Owens Corning lists valleys, eaves, chimneys and skylights, and says the barrier helps prevent damage from shingle blow-off, wind-driven rain and ice damming. Its WeatherLock line includes WeatherLock G, a granulated self-sealing ice and water barrier; WeatherLock Mat, a self-sealing barrier for use under shingles, wood shakes and slate; and WeatherLock Flex, which Owens Corning says protects against water infiltration around eaves, rakes, valleys, vents, chimneys and skylights.

Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck as a water-shedding layer that Owens Corning calls the roof's "last line of defense." Its current lineup includes DeckDefense, ProArmor, RhinoRoof U20 and several Titanium underlayments. Owens Corning says ProArmor repels water unlike #15 felt, and that RhinoRoof U20 is 12 times stronger than #30 felt.

Our articles on ice and water shield and roofing underlayment explain how each line item shows up on an estimate.

What Does the DEFEND Layer Include?

Owens Corning's DEFEND layer is three kinds of shingles, each doing a different job.

1. Starter shingles create a straight edge and an effective seal along the eaves and rakes, which Owens Corning calls areas that are vulnerable to high winds. Its options include Starter Strip Plus Shingle, which comes two pieces per shingle and is perforated for easy separation, and Starter Shingle Roll, which is applied as a single course after removing a release sheet.

2. Field shingles are the main roof surface, such as TruDefinition Duration or Duration Designer.

3. Hip and ridge shingles add protection along the hips and ridge, which Owens Corning also identifies as vulnerable to high winds, and are designed to match Owens Corning shingles. Owens Corning's warranty overview lists ProEdge, DecoRidge and DuraRidge as approved hip and ridge products for algae coverage, and its ImpactRidge hip and ridge shingles are rated Class 4 for use with its impact resistant shingles.

Starter shingles are easy to overlook on a quote, but they matter for the warranty, as the section below explains.

What Does the BREATHE Layer Include?

Owens Corning says proper attic ventilation reduces heat and moisture buildup that can lead to ice damming, roof deterioration and mold. The BREATHE layer has two halves that work together:

• Intake ventilation brings cooler outside air in low on the roof. Owens Corning's intake products include InFlow intake vents and Raft-R-Mate attic rafter vents, which create a space between rafters for air to flow up into the attic.

• Exhaust ventilation lets warm, moist air out high on the roof. Owens Corning's exhaust products include VentSure 4-Foot Strip ridge vents with an optional Weather Protector moisture barrier, RidgeProwler 30 rolled ridge vent, Rigid Roll ridge vent and metal slant back vents.

Owens Corning's goal for this layer is a balanced flow of air in and out of the attic. Our article on ridge vents explains how exhaust ventilation shows up on an estimate.

How Do the Components Affect Your Owens Corning Warranty?

Owens Corning's warranty documents connect specific components to specific coverage:

• Standard Product Limited Warranty: a minimum of three Owens Corning components is needed for those components to take on the shingle's coverage period.

• System Protection: at least three Owens Corning components (one hip and ridge plus two others), installed by an Owens Corning Platinum or Preferred contractor, for 50 years of TRU PROtection.

• Preferred Protection: at least four components (one hip and ridge, one underlayment and two others) for 50 years of TRU PROtection and 10 years of workmanship coverage.

• Platinum Protection: at least four components, installed by an Owens Corning Roofing Platinum contractor, for 50 years of TRU PROtection and limited lifetime workmanship coverage that is reduced after 25 years.

Two other Duration warranty terms depend on components. The 160 mph wind rating applies when the roof uses Owens Corning starter shingles on the eaves and rakes, Owens Corning hip and ridge shingles, underlayment and one more qualifying ventilation or ice and water product; otherwise Duration is listed at 130 mph. And the 25-year algae coverage requires an approved Owens Corning hip and ridge product, dropping to 10 years without one. Our article on what an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor means for Pittsburgh homeowners explains the contractor side.

How Can You Tell Which Components Are in Your Estimate?

An estimate that simply says "Owens Corning Duration" does not tell you which system you are getting. Ask your contractor to list, by product name:

1. The ice and water barrier and where it goes

2. The underlayment on the rest of the deck

3. The starter shingles on both the eaves and the rakes

4. The hip and ridge shingles

5. The intake and exhaust ventilation

6. The Owens Corning warranty the roof will be registered for

Owens Corning's Build Your Roof tool lets you select each layer online, which can help you understand the options before your estimate appointment. For more help reading quotes, see how to compare roofing estimates without getting confused by the numbers.

FAQ

What does the Owens Corning Total Protection Roofing System include?

Ice and water barrier and synthetic underlayment (SEAL), starter, field and hip and ridge shingles (DEFEND), and intake and exhaust ventilation (BREATHE). Owens Corning also recommends attic insulation (COMFORT).

Is the full system required for an Owens Corning warranty?

No. Owens Corning's standard product warranty does not require the full system, but its System, Preferred and Platinum Protection warranties each require a minimum number of Owens Corning components and a certified contractor.

What starter shingles does Owens Corning make?

Owens Corning lists Starter Strip Plus Shingle and Starter Shingle Roll, plus WoodStart Starter Strip Shingles made to match its Woodcrest and Woodmoor shingles.

What is Owens Corning's ridge vent called?

Owens Corning's exhaust ventilation lineup includes VentSure 4-Foot Strip ridge vents, RidgeProwler 30 rolled ridge vent and Rigid Roll ridge vent.

Does the Total Protection Roofing System include flashing?

No. Owens Corning says the system excludes non-Owens Corning roofing products such as flashing, fasteners and wood decking.

Which hip and ridge shingles qualify for Owens Corning's algae coverage?

Owens Corning's warranty overview lists ProEdge, DecoRidge and DuraRidge as approved hip and ridge products for its 25-year StreakGuard algae resistance coverage.

Why Pittsburgh Homeowners Trust Craig Gouker Roofing With Their Roof System

Craig Gouker Roofing is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor that has replaced roofs in the Pittsburgh area since 1991, working exclusively with Owens Corning Duration and Designer Duration shingles. Ask your estimator which Owens Corning components are included in your quote and which Owens Corning warranty your roof will qualify for. Every installation is also backed by Craig Gouker Roofing's own 5-year workmanship guarantee. Learn more on our residential roof replacement page.

Visit Craig Gouker Roofing or call (412) 664-7679 today. Contact us for more information.