CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex Shingles
The premium Class 4 impact-resistant shingle. SBS-modified asphalt, heavier than standard ClimateFlex for deeper shadow lines, 130 mph wind rating standard — WindProven-eligible to 160 mph. Class A fire. For exposed McHenry County elevations.
Class 4 Impact + 160 mph WindProven • SureStart PLUS Non-Prorated • IHC SELECT ShingleMaster
Class 4 Impact Plus Wind Rating for Exposed Elevations
Your home sits on an exposed elevation. Lake-front on the Fox River, corner lot on Crystal Lake, open farmland in Woodstock or Marengo, or a custom build in Barrington with big sight lines. You need impact resistance for the hail exposure AND serious wind warranty coverage for the gusts that come through with the storms. Standard Landmark ClimateFlex gives you Class 4 impact but tops out at 110 mph wind. You need more on both axes.
NorthGate ClimateFlex is the premium of the CertainTeed ClimateFlex family. SBS-modified asphalt for Class 4 impact rating (same as Landmark ClimateFlex). Heavier construction for deeper shadow lines and longer lifespan. 130 mph wind rating standard — upgradable to 160 mph WindProven with qualifying installation. Class A fire rating. All wrapped in IHC’s SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage.
What Makes NorthGate ClimateFlex the Premium Choice
Standard Landmark ClimateFlex is the right call for most McHenry County storm-market roofs. NorthGate ClimateFlex is the upgrade for specific situations: exposed elevations, luxury homes, insurance carriers that require the higher wind rating, or homeowners who want the best of both axes.
130 mph Standard, 160 mph WindProven Eligible
Landmark ClimateFlex is rated 110 mph standard. NorthGate ClimateFlex jumps to 130 mph standard, and it’s one of only two CertainTeed products (along with Grand Manor) eligible for WindProven — CertainTeed’s no-maximum-wind-speed warranty that covers shingle failure from wind at speeds up to 160 mph when qualifying installation components are used. For exposed elevations, that’s a tangible performance difference, not a marketing number.
On lake-front homes along Pistakee Bay and Crystal Lake, corner lots in subdivision layouts, and open-farmland elevations in Marengo and Woodstock — wind events at 100-plus mph happen multiple times per decade. NorthGate ClimateFlex survives those events. Standard shingles don’t.
Class 4 Impact — Same UL 2218 Rating as Standard ClimateFlex
NorthGate ClimateFlex carries the same UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating as standard Landmark ClimateFlex. Same SBS modification — styrene-butadiene-styrene rubber modifier that gives the shingle rubber-like flexibility under impact. Same 2-inch steel ball from 20 feet test passed with no cracking, splitting, or tearing. Same qualification for 10-28 percent insurance premium discounts.
Where NorthGate adds over standard ClimateFlex is the wind rating and the weight. Both versions are Class 4 on impact — that’s a material property of SBS modification. The premium tier adds wind performance and aesthetic depth on top.
Heavier Construction, Deeper Shadow Lines
NorthGate ClimateFlex is heavier than standard Landmark ClimateFlex — more asphalt per shingle, thicker dimensional profile, deeper shadow lines across the roof. The visual upgrade matters on luxury homes and architect-specified builds where the roof is a primary design element. It also translates to longer field lifespan — more material means better granule adhesion and slower aging.
For homes where both storm resilience AND curb appeal matter — custom builds, luxury homes, high-visibility corner lots — NorthGate ClimateFlex is the right answer. You’re not choosing between storm protection and aesthetic; you’re getting both.
SureStart PLUS + Enhanced Impact + WindProven Wind Coverage
NorthGate ClimateFlex carries CertainTeed’s Limited Lifetime material warranty PLUS enhanced impact coverage specific to ClimateFlex PLUS WindProven wind warranty when installed with qualifying components. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product qualifies for SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated material warranty plus 25-year workmanship coverage. That’s three layers of warranty stacked on one shingle.
WindProven is the feature that separates NorthGate from every other CertainTeed product except Grand Manor. Most shingle wind warranties have a speed cap. WindProven covers shingle failure at wind speeds up to 160 mph with no cap. For a McHenry County home on an exposed elevation, that’s real protection.
See CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex Installed by IHC
Real projects across McHenry County. No stock photos.
Premium Class 4 roof — McHenry County, IL
Post-storm replacement — McHenry County, IL
Premium install in progress
Cary, IL replacement
Why wind rating matters
IHC crew at work
NorthGate vs. Landmark ClimateFlex — When to Upgrade
Both are Class 4 impact-rated. The differences are wind performance and aesthetic weight.
Standard Landmark ClimateFlex
- Class 4 impact (UL 2218)
- 110 mph wind standard
- Same ClimateFlex SBS modification
- Same 10-28% insurance discount
- Standard weight and shadow profile
- SureStart PLUS 50-yr non-prorated
NorthGate ClimateFlex
- Class 4 impact (UL 2218)
- 130 mph wind standard, 160 mph WindProven
- Deeper shadow lines (heavier construction)
- Same 10-28% insurance discount
- Premium aesthetic weight
- SureStart PLUS 50-yr non-prorated
When to choose NorthGate: Exposed elevations (lake-front, corner lots, open farmland), insurance carriers requiring 130-plus mph wind warranty, luxury homes where aesthetic weight matters, custom architect-specified projects. When Landmark ClimateFlex is enough: Most McHenry County residential storm-market replacements on protected elevations.
NorthGate ClimateFlex vs. The Full CT Lineup
NorthGate ClimateFlex sits at the intersection of storm resistance and premium aesthetic. Here’s where it fits.
| Feature | NorthGate ClimateFlex This Page | Landmark ClimateFlex | Landmark Pro | Grand Manor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier | Premium Class 4 Impact + Wind | Standard Class 4 Impact | Premium Architectural (no impact) | Ultra-premium hand-split look |
| Impact Rating | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Class 4 (UL 2218) | Not impact-rated | Not impact-rated |
| Wind Rating | 130 mph / 160 mph WindProven | 110 mph (upgradable) | 110 mph (upgradable) | 130 mph / 160 mph WindProven |
| Weight | Heavier than Landmark ClimateFlex | Standard (~228 lbs equivalent) | ~275 lbs/square | 320 lbs/square (heaviest) |
| Aesthetic | Deep shadow lines, premium | Standard dimensional | Max Def deeper shadow | Hand-split cedar shake look |
| Insurance Discount | Yes (10-28%) | Yes (10-28%) | No | Typically no |
| Best For | Exposed elevations needing Class 4 + premium wind | Most McHenry County storm-market roofs | Premium aesthetic on protected elevations | Ultra-luxury estate homes |
| Warranty (IHC) | Enhanced impact + WindProven + SureStart PLUS | Enhanced impact + SureStart PLUS | SureStart PLUS | SureStart PLUS + luxury tier |
Why Buy CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex Through IHC
Why Exposed Elevations Get NorthGate
On a lake-front home on the Fox River or Crystal Lake, a corner lot in a subdivision with clear sight lines, or a custom build in Barrington sitting on 2-plus acres of open land, wind performance matters in a real way. I’ve watched 110-mph wind events take standard shingles off exposed gables and leave roofs open to water damage. NorthGate ClimateFlex’s 130 mph wind rating standard and 160 mph WindProven eligibility is what I recommend for those elevations, not because we’re worried about a tornado, but because wind gusts at 100-plus mph happen multiple times per decade in McHenry County.
IHC is CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster (fewer than 1% of U.S. roofers). Every NorthGate ClimateFlex install we run uses the full Integrity Roof System: CertainTeed-matched starter strip, ridge caps, synthetic underlayment, ice-and-water shield at eaves and valleys, proper attic ventilation sized to the square footage. That’s what unlocks WindProven wind warranty eligibility and SureStart PLUS 50-year non-prorated coverage plus 25-year workmanship. For a home where the roof has to hold against both hail and wind, that’s the spec.
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Years in McHenry County
380+
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A+
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Notes From the Field — What We Actually Install
I’ve installed NorthGate ClimateFlex on lake-front homes along the Fox River, custom builds in Barrington, and exposed-lot remodels across Woodstock and Marengo. Our most common NorthGate orders are Weathered Wood and Moire Black on traditional and custom builds, with Heather Blend and Autumn Blend showing up on modern farmhouse projects. When a homeowner with a lake home or corner lot asks about Class 4 impact, NorthGate is the conversation I start — standard Landmark ClimateFlex is the fallback if budget matters more than maximum wind warranty.
Install spec matters for WindProven eligibility. We run 6-nail pattern on every NorthGate install. The starter strip has to be CertainTeed Swiftstart (not a generic cut-down Landmark bundle). Ridge caps have to be CertainTeed Shadow Ridge or equivalent. Synthetic underlayment across the entire roof, no felt substitution. Ice-and-water shield extends 24 inches past the interior wall line at eaves and at all valleys. Attic ventilation has to meet CertainTeed’s required intake+exhaust ratio for the square footage. Missing any of those details means WindProven doesn’t apply. Our crews follow the spec sheet on every project because that’s how SureStart PLUS gets unlocked.
For homeowners deciding between NorthGate ClimateFlex and standard Landmark ClimateFlex, the question is exposure. Protected suburban cul-de-sac home? Landmark ClimateFlex is plenty — Class 4 impact gets you the insurance discount and handles McHenry County’s hail exposure. Lake-front, corner lot, open farmland, exposed elevation with clear wind fetch? NorthGate’s 130 mph standard and 160 mph WindProven eligibility are real upgrades that match the real exposure. I’ll walk the site with you before recommending which tier is the right fit.
Other CertainTeed Products We Install
Every CertainTeed shingle line we install. IHC is SELECT ShingleMaster certified — fewer than 1% of U.S. roofers. SureStart PLUS warranty coverage available on every product.
CertainTeed
Landmark
Standard architectural / workhorse
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Pro
Premium / Max Def / 20% heavier
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark Premium
Max asphalt content / heaviest
Explore →
CertainTeed
Landmark ClimateFlex
Class 4 impact / insurance discount
Explore →
CertainTeed
Presidential Shake TL
Luxury / triple-laminate shake
Explore →
CertainTeed
Presidential Shake IR
Luxury shake + Class 3 impact
Explore →
CertainTeed
Grand Manor
Ultra-premium / 320 lbs / square
Explore →
Ready to Install the Storm-Premium Roof With WindProven Coverage?
We come to your home, inspect the elevation exposure, discuss the hail and wind history on your specific site, and walk you through CertainTeed NorthGate ClimateFlex colors with physical sample boards. Free estimate.
Visit Our Crystal Lake Showroom
4410 IL-176, Suite 1, Crystal Lake, IL 60014
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between NorthGate and Landmark ClimateFlex?
Both are Class 4 impact-rated with SBS modification. NorthGate adds two premium features: (1) 130 mph wind rating standard versus Landmark ClimateFlex’s 110 mph, upgradable to 160 mph WindProven, and (2) heavier construction with deeper shadow lines for a more premium aesthetic. NorthGate is the upgrade for exposed elevations or homes where the roof is a primary architectural element.
What is WindProven?
WindProven is CertainTeed’s no-maximum-wind-speed limited wind warranty. Most shingle wind warranties cap at 110 or 130 mph. WindProven covers shingle failure from wind at any speed up to 160 mph when qualifying installation components are used (CertainTeed starter strip, ridge caps, synthetic underlayment, proper ventilation). NorthGate ClimateFlex and Grand Manor are the two CertainTeed products eligible for WindProven.
Does NorthGate get the same insurance discount as Landmark ClimateFlex?
Yes. The insurance discount is tied to the UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating, which NorthGate has (same as Landmark ClimateFlex). In most Illinois carriers, that’s a 10 to 28 percent annual premium discount. NorthGate doesn’t get additional discount beyond Class 4 for the higher wind rating — wind-rating discounts are uncommon in standard homeowner’s insurance. The discount comes from Class 4 alone.
When should I choose NorthGate vs. Landmark ClimateFlex?
NorthGate for: lake-front homes (Pistakee Bay, Crystal Lake, Wonder Lake), exposed corner lots, open farmland elevations, custom luxury builds, or insurance carriers that specifically require 130+ mph wind warranty. Landmark ClimateFlex for: most McHenry County suburban roofs in protected subdivision layouts. Both are Class 4 impact-rated. The upgrade is wind performance + aesthetic weight.
Can I get WindProven without installing CertainTeed components throughout?
No. WindProven requires the full CertainTeed Integrity Roof System: CertainTeed-matched starter strip, ridge caps, synthetic underlayment meeting the spec, and proper attic ventilation sized to the square footage. Using third-party components voids WindProven. IHC runs the full Integrity system on every NorthGate install because that’s what unlocks the warranty.
What’s the warranty on NorthGate ClimateFlex?
Three layers: (1) CertainTeed Limited Lifetime material warranty, (2) enhanced impact coverage specific to ClimateFlex, (3) WindProven wind warranty when qualifying components are installed. Through IHC’s SELECT ShingleMaster certification, the product also qualifies for SureStart PLUS: 50-year non-prorated material coverage plus 25-year workmanship coverage. That stack is unique to SELECT ShingleMaster-credentialed installers.
