GAF is a United States roofing and waterproofing manufacturer serving residential and commercial construction markets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
GAF Materials Corporation is an American manufacturer specializing in roofing, waterproofing, and related building products. Based in Parsippany, New Jersey, the company operates as a subsidiary of Standard Industries and is described as the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America. Its manufacturing network includes approximately 30 locations across the United States, while its products reach customers through national distributors, home-improvement retailers, and independent roofing contractors. The business traces its origins to the Standard Paint Company, established in Bound Brook, New Jersey, in 1886. Its early products included waterproofing and insulating paints and varnishes. The company expanded from coatings into roofing materials with the development of Ruberoid, a ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product introduced in the 1890s. Ceramic granules were later added to the rolls to improve durability and fire resistance. The company adopted the name The Ruberoid Company in 1921 and became publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange in 1935. A major corporate turning point came in 1967, when The Ruberoid Company merged with General Aniline & Film. The combined business introduced Timberline, identified in the supplied reference material as the first laminated shingle. In 1968, the company adopted the GAF name. The business subsequently developed a broad portfolio of residential and commercial roofing systems, including asphalt shingles, roofing membranes, insulation-related products, coatings, and accessories. Its commercial activities also include pavement coatings. GAF's residential offering is organized around complete roofing systems rather than individual shingles alone. Shingles are combined with underlayments, starter strips, ridge caps, ventilation products, leak barriers, and other accessories. The company supports several tiers of enhanced limited warranties, with eligibility determined by the products used and the certification level of the installing contractor. These programs include System Plus, Silver Pledge, Golden Pledge, and President's Club warranties, although coverage and requirements vary by system and contractor status. The company has continued to emphasize product engineering and installation efficiency. Timberline HDZ shingles introduced LayerLock Technology, while the WindProven Limited Wind Warranty was presented as a wind warranty without a maximum wind-speed limitation when the required GAF products and installation conditions are met. GAF later reengineered and relaunched its premium Timberline Ultra High Definition product as Timberline UHDZ, adding LayerLock and the StrikeZone nailing area. GAF is also involved in sustainability, solar roofing, recycling, workforce development, and community programs. GAF Energy, a sister company within Standard Industries, launched integrated rooftop solar offerings, and the companies introduced Timberline Solar, described in the supplied material as a nailable solar shingle. GAF's RoofCycle process is intended to divert post-consumer asphalt shingle waste from landfills and support greater circularity in roofing. Its 2030 Planet Goals include lowering carbon emissions, increasing waste diversion across manufacturing facilities, and expanding circular-economy practices. Through GAF Community Matters, the company has partnered with organizations including Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and Good360. Related initiatives include roof-replacement support after severe weather, the Cool Community Project using solar-reflective pavement coatings to help address urban heat, and GAF Roofing Academy, which combines classroom and practical instruction for entry-level roofing work. GAF remains an active operating company focused primarily on North American building-materials markets.
History
GAF's history begins in 1886, when the Standard Paint Company was established in Bound Brook, New Jersey. The original business made waterproofing and insulating paints and varnishes. Its early expertise in protective coatings provided a foundation for later expansion into roofing materials. In the early 1890s, the company developed Ruberoid, a ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product. The material was presented at an exhibition in Rhode Island in 1891 and was introduced commercially under the Ruberoid trademark in 1893. In 1898, ceramic granules were incorporated into Ruberoid rolls to improve durability and fire resistance. The company later changed its name to The Ruberoid Company in 1921. The Ruberoid Company became a public company on the New York Stock Exchange in July 1935. Its next major transformation came in 1967, when it merged with General Aniline & Film. The combined organization introduced Timberline, a laminated shingle product identified in the reference material as the first of its kind. In 1968, the business adopted the GAF name. GAF's later development centered on expanding from individual roofing materials into complete residential and commercial roofing systems. Its portfolio came to include asphalt shingles, membranes, underlayments, coatings, ventilation components, and related accessories. The company also developed distribution relationships with national suppliers and retailers, while relying on independent contractors for installation. In 1983, Samuel J. Heyman became chairman and chief executive officer. Two years later, GAF made a hostile bid for Union Carbide. Union Carbide resisted with share repurchases and other defensive actions, and GAF abandoned the offer in early 1986 after the target restructured. GAF nevertheless became a large Union Carbide shareholder. In 2007, GAF merged with Elk Corporation, adding a business known for asphalt felts and coatings. The company continued to develop its residential roofing platform and in 2011 introduced a Lifetime Limited Warranty covering its laminated shingles, according to the supplied reference material. Warranty programs later became an important part of GAF's contractor-oriented model, with different levels of coverage linked to product selection and contractor certification. The 2010s and 2020s brought greater emphasis on solar roofing, sustainability, and social impact. GAF Energy launched in 2019 as a sister company offering integrated rooftop solar solutions. In 2020, GAF introduced Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock Technology and the WindProven Limited Wind Warranty for qualifying installations. The same year, it launched GAF Community Matters, a platform for partnerships and community programs. In 2021, GAF created the RoofCycle process to recycle post-consumer asphalt shingles and reduce landfill disposal. In 2022, GAF and GAF Energy launched Timberline Solar, described as a nailable solar shingle. GAF also announced 2030 Planet Goals focused on carbon reduction, waste diversion, and circularity, and disclosed plans to expand commercial manufacturing in Illinois and Georgia. Community Matters expanded its partnerships and introduced the Cool Community Project, which uses solar-reflective StreetBond pavement coating to address urban heat. In 2023, GAF relaunched its premium Timberline UHD product as Timberline UHDZ with updated installation features. In 2024, it announced plans for a new residential shingle manufacturing facility in Kansas. GAF currently operates as a Standard Industries subsidiary, with John Barkhouse identified as its chief executive.
- 2022
Timberline Solar launches
[1]GAF and GAF Energy launch a nailable solar-shingle product.
- 2021
RoofCycle process is created
[1]GAF develops a patented process intended to recycle post-consumer asphalt shingles.
- 2007
Elk Corporation merger
[1]GAF merges with Elk Corporation, adding asphalt-felt and coating capabilities.
- 1968
The GAF name is adopted
[1]The merged company rebrands as GAF.
- 1967
Merger with General Aniline & Film
[1]The Ruberoid Company merges with General Aniline & Film and launches the Timberline laminated shingle.
- 1935
Ruberoid becomes publicly traded
[1]The Ruberoid Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1921
The company adopts The Ruberoid Company name
[1]The original Standard Paint business changes its corporate name to The Ruberoid Company.
- 1898
Ceramic granules improve Ruberoid
[1]Ceramic granules are added to Ruberoid rolls to improve durability and fire resistance.
- 1893
Ruberoid roll roofing is introduced
[1]The company introduces a ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product under the Ruberoid trademark.
- 1891
Ruberoid material is exhibited
[1]A new asphalt roofing material later marketed as Ruberoid is presented at an exhibition in Rhode Island.
Products and positioning
A North American roofing-system manufacturer positioned around broad product coverage, contractor distribution, installation support, warranty programs, product innovation, and increasingly visible sustainability and solar initiatives.
Residential asphalt shingles · 2020
Timberline HDZ
Timberline HDZ is a residential laminated-shingle system introduced with LayerLock Technology. The design is intended to support more consistent shingle alignment and installation, and it is used within GAF's broader roofing-system and warranty framework rather than as an isolated roof covering.
Premium residential asphalt shingles · 2023
Timberline UHDZ
Timberline UHDZ is the reengineered successor to Timberline Ultra High Definition. Its stated features include LayerLock Technology and the StrikeZone nailing area, emphasizing installation efficiency and a premium architectural appearance.
Solar roofing · 2022
Timberline Solar
Timberline Solar is a solar-roofing product launched by GAF and its sister company GAF Energy. It was presented as a nailable solar shingle, integrating electricity generation into a roofing format intended to be installed using familiar roofing methods.
Asphalt roll roofing · 1893
Ruberoid
Ruberoid was an early ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product developed by the company's predecessor. Its formulation was later enhanced with ceramic granules to improve durability and fire resistance, making it an important historical step in the company's development.
Recycling process · 2021
RoofCycle
RoofCycle is a patented recycling process designed to divert post-consumer asphalt shingle waste from landfills. It forms part of GAF's stated effort to introduce more circular practices into roofing-materials production and waste management.
Pavement coatings
StreetBond pavement coatings
StreetBond is a GAF pavement-coating range used in the Cool Community Project. Its solar-reflective applications are intended to help reduce heat absorption on selected urban surfaces and support responses to urban heat-island effects.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Gulf-region roof replacement partnership
United States Gulf Region
Community Matters announced a partnership involving Anthony Mackie to replace roofs for families in the Gulf Region affected by severe weather.
Outcome. The stated target was to replace 500 roofs for families in need.
- 2022Cool Community Project
United States
The Cool Community Project uses solar-reflective StreetBond pavement coatings on hot urban surfaces to help mitigate urban heat. The initiative has worked with Climate Resolve and other nonprofit partners.
Outcome. The program extended GAF's community work from roofing into urban heat mitigation.
- 2020GAF Community Matters
United States
GAF Community Matters is a social-impact platform that has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, Good360, and other nonprofit organizations. Its activities include disaster-response support, roofing assistance, and workforce development through GAF Roofing Academy.
Outcome. The program expanded into housing support, training, and community partnerships.
- 2020GAF Roofing Academy
United States
GAF Roofing Academy combines classroom teaching and hands-on training for entry-level roofing positions. It offers residential, commercial, and solar instruction and works with contractors on employment opportunities, including programs for women, veterans, and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated people.
Outcome. The program provides a workforce-development channel connected to the roofing contractor network.
Brand decisions
2023
Reengineering of Timberline UHDGeneration changeBackground
GAF updated its premium Timberline Ultra High Definition residential shingle line.
Action taken
The company relaunched the product as Timberline UHDZ with LayerLock Technology and the StrikeZone nailing area.
Aftermath
Timberline UHDZ became the updated premium product in the Timberline residential range.
2022
Launch of Timberline SolarProduct launchBackground
GAF and GAF Energy sought to combine solar generation with conventional roofing installation methods.
Action taken
The companies launched Timberline Solar, described as a nailable solar shingle.
Aftermath
The launch expanded the Standard Industries roofing platform into integrated solar roofing.
2022
Announcement of 2030 Planet GoalsStrategyBackground
GAF identified emissions, manufacturing waste, and roofing-sector circularity as strategic environmental issues.
Action taken
The company announced goals involving reduced carbon emissions, an 80% waste-diversion rate across manufacturing facilities, and broader deployment of circular-economy practices.
Aftermath
The goals provided a long-term framework for initiatives such as RoofCycle and manufacturing sustainability.
2021
Creation of the RoofCycle processStrategyBackground
Post-consumer asphalt shingles are a significant waste stream associated with roofing replacement.
Action taken
GAF developed a patented process intended to divert used asphalt shingles from landfills and support recycling.
Aftermath
RoofCycle became a central component of GAF's stated circularity and sustainability agenda.
2020
Launch of Timberline HDZ and WindProvenProduct launchBackground
GAF sought to improve residential shingle installation and differentiate its roofing-system warranty proposition.
Action taken
The company launched Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock Technology and introduced the WindProven Limited Wind Warranty for qualifying systems installed with the required GAF accessories.
Aftermath
The products and warranty became part of GAF's residential roofing-system portfolio.
2007
Merger with Elk CorporationM&ABackground
GAF pursued a combination with Elk Corporation, a producer of asphalt felts and coatings.
Action taken
GAF merged with Elk Corporation.
Aftermath
The merger broadened GAF's roofing-materials capabilities.
1985
Hostile bid for Union CarbideM&ABackground
GAF sought to acquire Union Carbide through a hostile takeover bid and made several offers for the company's stock.
Action taken
Union Carbide resisted through share repurchases and other defensive measures, including preparing to sell profitable divisions. GAF withdrew its offer in early 1986 after Union Carbide restructured.
Aftermath
GAF did not acquire Union Carbide but became a large shareholder in the company.
Recent events
JULABO acquires GAF[2]
JULABO acquired GAF, a Saxony-based company specializing in automation of procedural processes and aggregation of electrical and electronic signals for process control.
Reported
GAF launches GAF Project digital sales platform[3]
GAF introduced GAF Project, a digital sales platform for contractors that combines sales tools and resources. Subscriptions were available to all contractors at the time of the announcement.
Reported
GAF launches Community Matters initiative[4]
GAF launched its Community Matters social impact initiative and committed more than $6 million in financial and in-kind donations in 2020 for community support, disaster resiliency and related efforts.
Reported
GAF launches Timberline HDZ shingles[5]
GAF announced the nationwide launch of Timberline HDZ roofing shingles powered by LayerLock technology. The shingles feature the StrikeZone nailing area and are compatible with Timberline HD roofing shingles.
Sources5 sources
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