Owens Corning Berkshire Shingles: Premium Designer Roofing for Long Island Homes
Roofing Solutions for Homes & Businesses
FROM THE MOST AWARDED ROOFER IN NEW YORK
When you want your Long Island home to make an unforgettable impression, standard architectural shingles—even high-quality ones—may not deliver the dramatic visual impact you’re seeking.
Owens Corning Berkshire shingles represent the brand’s premium designer collection, offering sophisticated aesthetics that rival genuine slate roofing without the weight, fragility, or extreme cost that natural slate demands.
County Roofing Systems has installed Berkshire shingles on some of Long Island’s most distinguished homes. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor with 35+ years of experience serving Nassau County, Suffolk County, and the New York City metro area, we specialize in high-end roofing installations where appearance is as critical as performance.
Berkshire shingles deliver both—offering luxury aesthetics backed by proven protection against our region’s demanding weather conditions.
***Update: Discontinued in 2025***
Owens Corning discontinued its Berkshire hip and ridge shingles nationally in early 2025.
Roofing material manufacturers routinely discontinue shingle designs to streamline their offerings based on popularity and sales.
Owens Corning still offers the rest of their full range of luxury shingles and other roofing materials, which you can learn more about in our page here: Owens Corning Roofing Shingles.
THE BEST GUARANTEE IN THE INDUSTRY
50-Year Material, 25-Year Labor Guarantee
We’ve met the toughest requirements in the residential roofing industry- and we use only the best materials.
That’s why we stand behind our work with the best guarantee in the industry– including warranties only 2% of roofing companies can offer.
Your house deserves the best roofing warranty on the market. Give us a call today and get a brand new roof with a 50-year material, 25-year labor warranty from the best roofing contractor in Long Island and New York.
Introduction to Luxury Roofing
Luxury roofing is more than just a protective layer for your home—it’s a statement of timeless beauty and refined taste.
For centuries, wonder slate roofs have adorned some of the world’s most beautiful buildings, celebrated for their classic look and enduring style. Today, homeowners can achieve that same sense of understated elegance and sophistication with modern solutions like Owens Corning Berkshire shingles.
The Owens Corning Berkshire collection, including expressive colors such as Manchester Gray, is inspired by the natural slate that has graced historic estates and iconic architecture for years.
These shingles offer a bold look that elevates any home, blending seamlessly with both traditional and contemporary designs. The result is a roof that not only protects but also enhances the overall aesthetic, making your home a standout in any neighborhood.
What sets corning berkshire shingles apart is their use of modern technologies, such as advanced algae resistance protection, which ensures your roof maintains its pristine appearance year after year.
Homeowners can enjoy the classic appeal of slate roofs without worrying about the maintenance challenges of natural slate. The combination of wind resistance, durability, and expressive style means your investment is protected against the elements while delivering a look that’s both bold and timeless.
When considering luxury roofing, it’s essential to look beyond surface beauty. Factors like wind resistance, the quality of the shingle, and the harmony of color and texture all play a crucial role in creating a roof that not only looks stunning but also stands the test of time.
With Owens Corning Berkshire shingles, you can bring the wonder of classic slate to your home, ensuring it remains a symbol of elegance and strength for years to come.
Roofing Services
The Berkshire Design Philosophy
Owens Corning developed Berkshire shingles specifically to capture the timeless elegance of natural slate roofing in a modern, engineered product.
Natural slate has adorned prestigious buildings and luxury homes for centuries, prized for its distinctive appearance, dimensional depth, and prestigious associations.
But genuine slate presents significant challenges: extreme weight that requires structural reinforcement, fragility that leads to cracking and breakage, difficult installation requiring specialized skills, and costs that can exceed $20-$40 per square foot installed.
Berkshire shingles solve these problems while preserving slate’s aesthetic appeal. They’re multi-layer laminated architectural shingles constructed with enhanced thickness and sculpted edges that create authentic slate-like dimensionality.
The carefully formulated color blends incorporate varied tones and shadowing that mimic natural stone’s mineral variations and weathering patterns.
When installed on your roof, Berkshire shingles don’t just approximate slate’s appearance—they create a convincing illusion that impresses even from close viewing distances. The dimensional profile, color variations, and shadow effects combine to deliver premium curb appeal that elevates your entire property.
Enhanced Dimensional Profile
What sets Berkshire apart from standard architectural shingles is the exceptional three-dimensional appearance created through multiple design elements working together.
The shingles feature reinforced backing and multi-layer construction that creates noticeable thickness variations across the surface. Where standard architectural shingles might be 1/4 inch thick, Berkshire shingles build up to nearly 3/8 inch in their dimensional zones. This extra thickness creates genuine shadows rather than just printed or granule-created shadow effects.
Sculpted tab edges add irregular, natural-looking contours that break up the straight lines common in conventional shingles. Real slate tiles have slightly irregular edges from how they’re quarried and split—Berkshire’s sculpted design echoes this organic irregularity without creating actual installation problems.
The color blending incorporates multiple granule tones across each shingle, with darker concentrations in recessed areas and lighter highlights on raised surfaces. This variation mimics how natural stone develops weathering patterns and mineral staining over time.
When County Roofing Systems installs Berkshire shingles, we use careful blending techniques that distribute these color variations naturally across your roof. The result is an upscale, luxury appearance that photographs beautifully and impresses visitors from the moment they see your home.
Premium Color Options
Berkshire shingles are available in carefully curated colors inspired by natural slate varieties and historical roofing installations:
Colonial Slate combines cool gray tones with subtle blue undertones, echoing the classic New England slate aesthetic found on historic properties throughout the Northeast.
Canterbury Black delivers dramatic impact with deep charcoal tones accented by lighter gray highlights. This creates striking contrast that works beautifully on Colonial, Victorian, and contemporary architecture.
Concord blends warm earth tones from gray-brown through russet, creating a sophisticated neutral palette that complements brick, stone, and earth-toned exteriors.
Manchester Gray offers refined gray coloring with subtle tonal variations that suit both traditional and modern architectural styles.
Cottage Green provides distinctive character with deep green-gray tones perfect for homes where you want a unique, heritage-inspired appearance.
These aren’t simply colored granules scattered randomly—each Berkshire color is a sophisticated blend incorporating multiple granule tones strategically placed to enhance dimensional effects and create visual depth. The result is color that looks rich and complex rather than flat and monochrome.
Fill out the form below or give us a call today at (631) 400-7663 to get your free roof estimate:
Specifications and Performance
Berkshire shingles deliver premium performance to match their luxury appearance:
Weight: Approximately 365 pounds per square (heavier than standard architectural shingles)
Fire Rating: Class A (highest fire resistance)
Wind Resistance: 110 mph standard, upgradeable to 130 mph with high-wind installation
Impact Resistance: Enhanced through heavy construction, though not UL 2218 Class 4 rated
Algae Warranty: 15-year StreakGuard protection when installed with Berkshire Hip & Ridge
Limited Warranty: Lifetime coverage for as long as you own your home
TRU PROtection Period: 10 years of non-prorated coverage
The heavier weight compared to standard shingles contributes to Berkshire’s dimensional appearance and enhanced durability, though it also requires verification that your roof structure can support the load—something County Roofing Systems assesses during our initial evaluation.
The 110-130 mph wind resistance provides excellent protection for Long Island’s coastal conditions, handling nor’easters, tropical storm remnants, and severe thunderstorms that regularly impact our area.
Algae Protection and Long-Term Appearance
Long Island’s humid climate creates ideal conditions for roof algae growth. Standard shingles without protection develop unsightly black streaks within just a few years.
On premium Berkshire installations, this would be particularly disappointing given the investment in luxury aesthetics.
Berkshire shingles include Owens Corning’s StreakGuard algae resistance technology using copper-containing granules that inhibit algae colonization. This protection is backed by a 15-year limited warranty—notably longer than the standard 10-year coverage on economy lines like Oakridge.
The enhanced algae warranty requires installation of color-matched Berkshire Hip & Ridge cap shingles, which ensure complete aesthetic coordination while providing the components needed for full warranty activation.
Maintaining clean, streak-free appearance for 15+ years preserves the premium curb appeal that Berkshire shingles create. This appearance retention protects your investment by ensuring your luxury roof continues looking exceptional throughout its service life.
Installation Requirements and Best Practices
Berkshire shingles demand expert installation to achieve their full visual potential. County Roofing Systems’ 35+ years of experience and Platinum Preferred Contractor training ensure installations that meet Owens Corning’s exacting standards.
Proper deck preparation is essential. Any deck irregularities, warping, or imperfections will telegraph through the finished roof, undermining the premium appearance Berkshire shingles are designed to deliver. We address all deck issues before the first shingle goes down.
Premium synthetic underlayment provides the stable, smooth base that Berkshire installations require. We use Owens Corning Titanium products or equivalent high-performance underlayments that won’t wrinkle, bunch, or create surface imperfections.
Careful shingle blending ensures even color distribution across all roof planes. Berkshire’s intentional color variations create natural-looking diversity, but improper blending could create unintended patterns or concentration zones. Our trained crews blend from multiple bundles simultaneously to achieve optimal results.
Strategic layout and alignment maximizes dimensional impact. The sculpted edges and thickness variations create the strongest visual effects when shingles are carefully aligned and secured. This requires more installation time than standard shingles—time we invest to ensure your premium roof looks premium.
Color-matched Berkshire Hip & Ridge shingles complete the installation with coordinated aesthetics at all ridges, hips, and peak transitions. These specialized cap shingles maintain the dimensional slate appearance across these critical visual elements while activating the extended algae warranty.
FINANCE YOUR HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TODAY
0% Financing, Quick and Easy Approval
With nearly four decades serving homeowners under our belt, we know what’s needed to make your roofing project a success.
When you work with County Roofing, you get only the best. As little as 0% interest on approval for 5 years, quick approval, easy pay, and all backed by the best guarantees in the industry.
Comparing Berkshire to Other Premium Options
Understanding where Berkshire fits in the roofing market helps you evaluate whether this premium investment matches your goals:
vs. Owens Corning Duration Designer: Duration Designer shingles cost less than Berkshire and offer TruDefinition color technology with excellent architectural appearance. Berkshire steps up with enhanced dimensional profile and more sophisticated slate-inspired aesthetics for homeowners seeking maximum visual impact.
vs. GAF Grand Sequoia: GAF’s Grand Sequoia targets similar premium market positioning with wood shake aesthetics rather than slate. Choice between them depends on whether you prefer the refined elegance of slate (Berkshire) or the rustic character of wood shake (Grand Sequoia).
vs. Genuine Slate: Real slate costs 3-5 times more than Berkshire, requires structural reinforcement for the weight, presents fragility and maintenance challenges, and demands specialized installation expertise. Berkshire delivers comparable aesthetics at a fraction of the cost with none of the practical drawbacks.
For homeowners seeking premium roofing aesthetics, Berkshire represents an excellent value proposition—substantially upgrading appearance beyond standard architectural shingles while remaining far more affordable than natural slate.
Ideal Applications for Berkshire Shingles
Berkshire shingles work best in specific situations where their premium characteristics deliver maximum value:
High-End Residential Properties: Luxury homes in prestigious Long Island communities like Garden City, Manhasset, Great Neck, or The Hamptons benefit from the upscale appearance that complements elevated property values and neighborhood standards.
Homes with Slate or Designer Roofing Traditions: If your neighborhood features genuine slate or premium designer roofing, Berkshire allows you to maintain aesthetic consistency without the extreme costs that natural materials require.
Properties Where Curb Appeal Drives Value: In competitive real estate markets, distinctive premium roofing can differentiate your property and support higher pricing when you eventually sell.
Architectural Styles That Showcase Roofs: Colonial, Tudor, Victorian, and other styles where roofs are prominently visible benefit most from Berkshire’s dimensional beauty. Ranch or contemporary styles with low-slope roofs seen primarily from above may not showcase premium shingles as effectively.
Homeowners Seeking Long-Term Investment: If you plan to own your home for 15+ years, Berkshire’s combination of premium appearance, enhanced durability, and extended algae warranty provides value throughout a long ownership period.
The County Roofing Systems Luxury Installation Experience
Installing premium shingles like Berkshire demands contractor expertise that matches the product quality. County Roofing Systems brings several advantages to high-end installations:
Our 35+ years serving Long Island’s most discerning homeowners means we understand expectations for luxury roofing projects. We communicate clearly, protect your property meticulously, and deliver finished installations that meet the highest standards.
Our Platinum Preferred Contractor status with Owens Corning ensures we’re authorized for premium warranty programs and have demonstrated commitment to quality, customer service, and proper installation practices.
Our project management approach includes detailed planning, careful scheduling, and quality control procedures that minimize disruption to your property while ensuring every installation detail receives appropriate attention.
Our relationships with local suppliers ensure we can source materials efficiently even for custom orders, and our volume purchasing power often allows us to offer competitive pricing on premium products like Berkshire.
Protecting Your Premium Investment
Berkshire shingles represent a significant investment in your home’s appearance and protection. County Roofing Systems ensures this investment delivers long-term value:
We properly register your warranty with Owens Corning, ensuring you’re protected by the lifetime limited warranty and the 10-year TRU PROtection period of non-prorated coverage.
We provide detailed maintenance guidance specific to premium shingles, helping you preserve appearance and performance throughout the roof’s service life.
We document your installation with photos and records that support any future warranty claims and provide valuable information for insurance, appraisal, or sale situations.
We remain available for periodic inspections, minor repairs, and any questions that arise as your roof ages—supporting your investment long after installation completes.
Elevate Your Home with Owens Corning Luxury Shingles
If you’re planning a roof replacement for a luxury Long Island home and want results that match your property’s quality and character, Owens Corning Berkshire shingles deliver premium aesthetics backed by proven performance.
County Roofing Systems specializes in high-end roofing installations where appearance matters as much as protection. Our expertise ensures your Berkshire roof achieves its full visual potential while providing reliable protection against Long Island’s demanding weather.
Call (631) 400-7663 today to schedule a consultation.
OVER 35 YEARS IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY
Long Island and Westchester's Go-To Roofing Contractor
Keith Schmied, CEO of County Roofing Systems, is a native Long Islander.
He’s worked on houses throughout Long Island and the greater New York area for nearly four decades with countless happy customers.
We’ll give your old home a beautiful and durable roof that doesn’t just look good- it also saves you money on your energy bills. We can handle everything from minor repairs to a full roof installation. No matter what you need, we’re here to help.
If you’ve had problems with bad roofing contractors in the past, give us a call. We do the job right the first time and we stand behind our work.
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Monthly payments as low as $149
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