What are the best roofing, siding, and window brands for a Twin Cities home?
Modern Exterior Systems (Modex) publishes honest brand-vs-brand comparisons across roofing shingles, windows, siding, and gutter guards. We install CertainTeed, Malarkey, Atlas, LP SmartSide, James Hardie, ProVia, Kolbe, and Pella. We install all GAF and Owens Corning lines upon request, and we don't carry Andersen, Marvin, or Milgard. Twelve detailed comparisons covering the brands most Twin Cities homeowners research.
Comparisons
Why we publish honest brand reviews
Most contractor websites promote only the brands they sell. Modern Exterior Systems (Modex) publishes brand-vs-brand comparisons because homeowners researching $14K–$90K exterior projects deserve a contractor's honest take—including on brands we don't install.
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17 brand-vs-brand writeups across roofing, siding, windows, and gutters — filter by trade, brand, or search by name.
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Roofing
Architectural vs 3-Tab Shingles
Cost, lifespan, wind rating, and resale value for Minneapolis roofs. Modex installs architectural only — here's why.
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Roofing
Atlas StormMaster Shake vs CertainTeed Presidential Shake TL
Class 4 hail discount vs triple-laminated shake look — two ways to handle Twin Cities storms. We install both.
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Roofing
Atlas vs Owens Corning Shingles
Atlas Pinnacle vs Owens Corning Duration: warranty, impact rating, and Minneapolis-installed cost. Modex is Atlas Pro+ Silver Select.
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Windows
Bow Window vs Bay Window
Shape, panes, cost, and when each one works. Bay = 3 angled panes. Bow = 4–6 panes in a curved arc. We install both.
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Roofing
CertainTeed vs GAF Shingles
Warranty, impact rating, contractor certification, and Minneapolis cost. Modex is CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified.
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Roofing
CertainTeed vs Malarkey Shingles
CertainTeed Landmark vs Malarkey Legacy: standard asphalt vs SBS-modified rubber. Modex installs both lines.
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Roofing
DaVinci vs Brava Synthetic Slate
Class 4 hail rating, 50-year warranty, install cost, weight, and color palette — synthetic slate head-to-head.
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Roofing
DaVinci vs CeDUR Synthetic Shake
DaVinci Bellaforte vs CeDUR for Twin Cities homes: cost, color depth, weight, warranty, and hand-split look.
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Siding
LP SmartSide vs James Hardie
Engineered wood vs fiber cement for Minneapolis: cost, durability, warranty, and cold-climate fit. We install both.
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Roofing
Malarkey vs Owens Corning Shingles
Malarkey Legacy vs Owens Corning Duration: SBS modified rubber vs standard asphalt. Modex is Malarkey Emerald Pro.
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Gutters
MasterShield vs LeafFilter vs KleanGutter
Three micro-mesh gutter guards compared: ice-dam impact, debris handling, and cost. Modex installs MasterShield.
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Windows
ProVia vs Lindsay Windows
ProVia Endure vs Lindsay Pinnacle for Minneapolis: warranty, glass package, and installed cost.
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Windows
ProVia vs Milgard Windows
ProVia Endure vs Milgard Tuscany: warranty terms, cold-climate fit, and price. Modex installs ProVia.
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Windows
ProVia vs Pella Vinyl Windows
ProVia Endure vs Pella 250 vinyl: warranty, glass package, and cost. Modex installs both.
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Windows
ProVia vs Ply Gem Windows
ProVia Endure vs Ply Gem Mira: warranty, glass, hardware, and cost. Modex installs ProVia.
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Siding
Vinyl vs James Hardie Siding
$15K–$20K vinyl vs $22K–$32K Hardie on a 2,000 sq ft home. Lifespan, fire rating, and lifetime cost. We install both.
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Siding
Vinyl vs LP SmartSide
Vinyl vs LP SmartSide for Twin Cities homes: cost, lifespan, hail durability, and cold-climate fit. We install both.
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How we approach brand comparisons
What we install, how we pick comparisons, and why we publish honest takes on brands we don't carry.
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We handle roofing, siding, windows, gutters, and storm work for the Minneapolis metro. One contractor, every trade, lifetime workmanship warranty.