GAF President's Club vs. Master Elite: What's the Difference and Why It Matters
When you're researching roofing contractors, you'll encounter GAF credentials in almost every company's marketing. GAF 3-Star President's Club is something different — and understanding the distinction helps you make a meaningfully better hiring decision.
Start Here: The GAF Certification Ladder
GAF — North America's largest roofing manufacturer — runs a tiered contractor certification program. From bottom to top, the tiers work like this:
- GAF Certified Contractor: the entry-level tier. Requires basic licensing, insurance, and registration with GAF. Many contractors qualify. Enables standard GAF product warranties.
- GAF Master Elite®: the premium tier, earned by fewer than 2% of roofing contractors in the United States. Requires valid state licensing, adequate insurance, satisfactory BBB standing, annual training completion, and ongoing commitment to roofing as a primary trade. Master Elite contractors can offer the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty — up to 25 years of combined materials and workmanship coverage — the strongest residential warranty GAF offers at this tier.
- GAF President's Club Award: awarded annually to Master Elite contractors who demonstrate exceptional performance across three pathways — Performance, Reliability, and Service — within a single calendar year. Master Elite status is a prerequisite. Fewer than half of Master Elite contractors earn President's Club recognition in any given year.
- GAF 3-Star President's Club: the highest recognition GAF awards to any contractor. Achieved by completing all three President's Club pathways — Performance, Reliability, and Service — within the same calendar year. 3-Star winners have the longest and most consistent track record of excellence in the program, and qualifying contractors may offer the President's Club Limited Warranty on eligible roofing systems, above and beyond the Golden Pledge.
Master Elite vs 3-Star President's Club — Side by Side
Here's how the two levels compare on the factors that matter most to homeowners:
| Master Elite | President's Club 3-Star | What It Means | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of U.S. roofers | ~2% | Subset of Master Elite — much less than 2% | Rarest tier in the industry |
| How it's earned | Licensing, insurance, BBB standing, annual training | Master Elite PLUS three pathways: Performance, Reliability, Service — all within one calendar year | President's Club requires demonstrated excellence, not just qualification |
| Stars | None (single certification) | 1, 2, or 3 stars based on pathways completed | 3-Star = all three pathways completed in same year |
| Consistency requirement | Annual renewal | Must re-earn every calendar year with no carryover | 3-Star status reflects ongoing, year-over-year excellence |
| Warranty access | Golden Pledge (up to 25-year workmanship) | Golden Pledge + President's Club Limited Warranty on eligible systems | 3-Star winners unlock the highest warranty tier GAF offers |
| In Colorado | Many qualifying contractors | Very few — Formula is 1 of 3 in Colorado at 3-Star level | Meaningful local distinction |
What the Three President's Club Pathways Actually Require
The 3-Star designation is earned by completing all three GAF President's Club pathways within a single calendar year — there's no carryover, and the award must be re-earned annually. The three pathways are:
- Performance: recognizes contractors who consistently deliver top-quality installation outcomes and participate in activities that demonstrate a commitment to giving property owners the best possible service, quality, and protection.
- Reliability: recognizes contractors with a demonstrated track record of standing behind their work — warranty registrations, customer satisfaction, and ongoing accountability to the homeowners they've served.
- Service: recognizes contractors who invest in ongoing training, business development, and professional development to maintain the highest standards in the industry.
A contractor who earns all three in the same year receives the 3-Star designation. One who earns two receives 2-Star. One who earns one receives 1-Star. Formula Roofing & Remodeling holds the 3-Star recognition — all three pathways completed.
Why Re-Earning It Every Year Matters
One of the most important aspects of the President's Club Award that often gets overlooked: it must be re-earned each calendar year. There's no lifetime designation, no grandfather status, no coasting on past performance.
This means a contractor displaying a 3-Star President's Club credential has met GAF's highest performance standards not just once but consistently, year over year. A contractor who earned the award several years ago and has since let standards slip will not hold current recognition. When you see the 3-Star President's Club credential, it reflects current performance — not historical.
What It Means for Your Warranty
The practical difference between Master Elite and 3-Star President's Club shows up most clearly in warranty access:
- Master Elite contractors can offer the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty — up to 25 years of combined materials and workmanship coverage, backed by GAF directly.
- 3-Star President's Club contractors may additionally offer the President's Club Limited Warranty on eligible roofing systems — the highest warranty tier GAF makes available.
Both warranties are backed by GAF as the manufacturer, not just by the contractor. This matters because it means the warranty remains valid regardless of what happens to any individual company over the coverage period.
In Colorado: How Rare Is 3-Star President's Club?
Colorado has thousands of licensed roofing contractors. A meaningful number hold GAF Master Elite certification. Formula Roofing & Remodeling is one of only three contractors in Colorado to hold GAF 3-Star President's Club recognition.
In a market where storm-chasing contractors operate without local accountability, and where hail events regularly bring an influx of out-of-state crews, the 3-Star President's Club credential provides an independently verified signal that a contractor has met GAF's highest standards — consistently, and recently.
Work With Colorado's 3-Star President's Club Roofing Contractor
Formula Roofing & Remodeling holds GAF Master Elite and 3-Star President's Club recognition — one of three contractors in Colorado at this level. We provide roofing services in Aurora, Boulder, and throughout the Denver Metro. For shingle roofing in Aurora and all residential and commercial roofing services, visit our roofing services page. Call (303) 600-8696 for a free estimate.
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Colorado homeowners and contractors are increasingly looking for responsible ways to handle roofing materials at the end of their service life. Denver is now introducing new requirements that will make recycling and reuse part of the permitting process for many construction and demolition projects. Beginning September 1, 2026, the City and County of Denver will require many qualifying projects to divert at least 50% of construction and demolition debris by weight and recycle or reuse at least three covered material categories. These rules apply only within the City and County of Denver. What the New Denver Rules Mean for Roofing Projects For qualifying roofing projects, contractors may need to submit a waste-diversion plan before the permit is issued. The plan must estimate the total debris weight, identify materials intended for recycling or reuse, list the destination and transportation method, and estimate the project’s diversion rate. After final inspection, the contractor generally has 60 days to provide supporting documentation such as weight tickets, donation receipts, photographs, or written records showing where reusable materials were taken. The rules do not require every roofing material to be recycled, and they do not prohibit landfill disposal. However, material sent to a landfill counts against the required diversion percentage. Contractors may apply for modified requirements when full compliance is impractical. What About Asphalt Shingles? Asphalt shingles remain one of the most difficult roofing products to recycle in Colorado because the state lacks a convenient, widespread processing network. The Denver rules also do not specifically identify asphalt roofing shingles as a covered material. In most cases, removed asphalt shingles will continue to be disposed of unless a recycler specifically agrees to accept them. Clay and Concrete Roofing Tile Can Often Be Reused Clay and concrete roofing tiles are different from many other roofing products because intact tiles can retain value after removal. Usable tiles may be sorted, stored, and reused for repairs, restoration work, additions, or matching discontinued profiles and colors. Formula Roofing & Remodeling, doing business as Custom Tile Roofing, accepts used clay and concrete roofing tiles in many circumstances. Homeowners and contractors who need a facility for surplus or removed tile should contact us before disposal so we can review the tile type, profile, quantity, condition, and project location. Assistance for Contractors For contractors with larger quantities of salvageable clay or concrete tile, we can often provide large metal collection crates, coordinate placement at the project, and arrange transportation off-site at no charge. Availability depends on the material, quantity, condition, project location, site access, timing, and desirability. Contractors should provide photographs, the project address, estimated quantity, manufacturer or profile if known, and the anticipated tear-off date. A Better Option for Homeowners Replacing a Tile Roof If you are a homeowner considering replacement of a clay or concrete tile roof, Formula Roofing can manage the complete project, including removal of the existing roof and installation of the new roofing product you select. When the existing tile has salvage value, Formula may offer project-specific credits or discounts based on the type, condition, quantity, rarity, and demand for the material. Hiring Formula allows the removal, salvage evaluation, transportation, and new roof installation to be coordinated as one project. This can reduce unnecessary disposal while giving the homeowner access to experienced clay and concrete tile roofing specialists and a wide range of replacement options. Being Green Has Always Been Part of Our Business Philosophy Long before Denver adopted formal construction-waste diversion rules, salvaging and reusing tile was part of the way Formula Roofing and Custom Tile Roofing operated. Preserving discontinued and hard-to-find roofing tile keeps usable material out of landfills and helps property owners complete accurate repairs and restorations. The new Denver requirements reinforce a practice we have supported for years: roofing materials should not automatically be treated as waste when they still have practical value. Contact Formula Roofing / Custom Tile Roofing Homeowners and contractors with used clay or concrete roofing tile should contact us before removing or disposing of the material. We can help determine whether the tile may be accepted, whether collection crates and transportation are available, and whether salvage credits or project discounts may apply. Call 303-600-8696 or email info@formularoofing.com / customtileroofing@gmail.com for details. Acceptance is not guaranteed and is subject to advance review of the tile, quantity, condition, project location, access, timing, and current storage needs. Denver permitting and waste-diversion requirements may vary by project.
Formula Roofing & Remodeling Recognized as a 2026 GAF Master Elite® 3-Star President’s Club Award Winner Denver Contractor Becomes the Only Roofing Company in Colorado to Hold Both GAF 3- Star President’s Club and Platinum Elite Distinctions DENVER, CO — February 24, 2026 – Formula Roofing & Remodeling announced today that it has been recognized as a 2026 GAF Master Elite® 3-Star President’s Club Award winner. Each year, GAF, a Standard Industries company and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, presents this top-tier recognition to Master Elite® contractors who demonstrate a continued commitment to high-quality service, professional excellence, and industry leadership. With this recognition, Formula Roofing & Remodeling becomes the only contractor in Colorado to hold both GAF 3-Star President’s Club and GAF Platinum Elite distinctions — and one of only seven contractors in the country to achieve both. Together, these recognitions represent top honors in both residential and commercial roofing, placing Formula among an elite group of roofing contractors nationwide and reinforcing the company’s commitment to craftsmanship, customer service, professional training, and long-term warranty protection for Colorado property owners. The GAF 3-Star President’s Club Award is the highest honor available to GAF Master Elite® residential roofing contractors. This annual recognition celebrates contractors across the country who consistently demonstrate exemplary performance, superior customer service, and a commitment to raising the standard of professionalism in the roofing industry. “Earning GAF’s 3-Star President’s Club Award is an incredible honor for our entire team, and achieving it alongside Platinum Elite commercial certification makes this recognition even more meaningful,” said Lawrence Kerr, President of Formula Roofing & Remodeling. “To be the only contractor in Colorado — and one of only seven in the country — to hold both distinctions is a reflection of the work our crews, project managers, sales team, production team, and office staff put in every day. Formula has always been committed to doing things the right way, with craftsmanship, communication, accountability, and long-term value at the center of every project.” “The GAF Master Elite® President's Club Award is a badge of honor for contractors who prioritize quality and service above all else, distinguishing themselves among the rest,” said Jim Durkin, Chief Customer Experience Officer. “This award is reserved for the top tier of roofing contractors nationwide, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to maintaining the highest standards for their employees and every customer they serve.” GAF Master Elite® President’s Club Award winners are selected from an elite group of roofing contractors that must first demonstrate proper licensing where required, maintain insurance, uphold a proven reputation, and show a commitment to ongoing professional training. Qualifying contractors must also meet the criteria to earn the designation of a GAF Master Elite® residential contractor. For Colorado property owners, this recognition reinforces Formula Roofing & Remodeling’s ability to offer qualifying GAF roofing systems backed by enhanced warranty protection, including options such as the GAF Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty, which can provide up to 50 years of material coverage and up to 40 years of workmanship coverage on eligible roofing systems. About Formula Roofing & Remodeling Formula Roofing & Remodeling is a locally based Colorado exterior restoration company serving homeowners, businesses, property managers, and community organizations throughout the Denver Metro area and across the state. With roots dating back to 1981 through its sister company, Custom Tile Roofing, Formula specializes in residential and commercial roofing, storm restoration, windows, gutters, siding, exterior painting, and comprehensive exterior remodeling services. Formula Roofing & Remodeling is a GAF Master Elite® contractor, a GAF 3-Star President’s Club Award winner, a GAF Platinum Elite commercial roofing contractor, a BBB A+ rated company, and a six-time Colorado Roofing Association Roof of the Year award winner. The company is known for its commitment to craftsmanship, clear communication, insurance restoration expertise, and long-term customer care. For more information, visit www.formularoofing.com or call 303-600-8696 . About GAF GAF, a Standard Industries company, is the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America. For more than 135 years, GAF has been trusted to protect what matters most for families, business owners, and roofing professionals with its innovative solutions and focus on exceptional service. GAF’s leadership extends to its commitment to strengthen its communities and industry through investments in career development, sustainable products, and local community resilience. Learn more at www.GAF.com . Media Contact: Nick Dillen Formula Roofing & Remodeling nick@formularoofing.com 303-600-8696 www.formularoofing.com
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