re: What Shingles Should I Get For a New Roof?

I'm a GC and do roofing more than anything. Install them every day. The only two shingles I'd put on my roof are Malarkey or Atlas. They both are both incredible shingles with actual good research and development put into their shingles. Even Malarkey's basic architectural shingle is now class 3 impact resistant.

The two you couldn't pay me to put on my roof are CertainTeed and Tamco. I'm in North LA and while I'd like to support local (even though they don't ship direct from here), CertainTeed is just a crap shingle. Little to know R&D put into their products. You can just hold a CT and Tamco and tell the difference when holding a Malarkey or Atlas. Malarkey and Atlas also take care of their customers very well if there is ever a manufacturers default.

Make sure your contractor is using synthetic felt as well instead of old tar paper. That's actually one of the biggest factors on cooling your roof, not shingle color like most people think. And make sure they are installing drip edge as well. If your contractor isn't putting drip edge on he is cutting corners and most likely not even pulling a permit. Get him to replace the flashing/color/cap on your gas vents as well. If it's insurance even if they didn't originally replace them that is an item that can be supplemented. You don't want reused gas vents, that is a leak waiting to happen.