Your roof protects your home from the weather, and it also makes up a big share of what people see when they look at your house. If you want a shingle that holds up to Pittsburgh storms and still looks sharp from the street, Atlas Pinnacle Pristine in the Summer Storm color is worth a close look. In this post we cover the color, the wind rating, the Scotchgard algae protection, the warranty, and how the shade tends to read against the brick and siding found on so many Pittsburgh homes.
Summer Storm is one of the Atlas colors we can install, and you can see the full lineup on our asphalt shingle roofing page.
Summer Storm at a Glance
- Color: Summer Storm
- Type: Asphalt shingle
- Grade: Architectural
- Manufacturer warranty: Limited lifetime, 10 years non prorated, 15 year wind warranty up to 130 MPH with 4 nails, lifetime Scotchgard Protector
- Top features: 3M Scotchgard algae protection, 130 MPH wind resistance
Aesthetic Appeal of Summer Storm Shingles
Summer Storm is a blended gray tone. Like every architectural shingle, it mixes several granule shades so the roof shows depth and shadow instead of one flat color. That blend is what lets it work on both newer homes and older, more traditional houses.
How Summer Storm Reads on Pittsburgh Brick
A huge number of homes across Pittsburgh, from the city neighborhoods to the North Hills and South Hills, are red or brown brick. A gray blend roof usually sits well above warm brick because it does not compete with it. The brick stays the warm element and the roof frames it. On darker brick, a gray roof keeps the house from looking heavy. If your brick has a lot of orange in it, look at a sample board outdoors in daylight before you commit, because shingle color shifts between morning sun and an overcast afternoon.
How Summer Storm Reads on Siding
Many Pittsburgh homes pair brick on the lower floor with siding on the upper floor, or are sided all the way around. Gray roofs are a safe match for white, cream, gray, and blue siding. With darker siding colors, the roof and walls can blend together, so trim color matters more. White or light trim, fascia, and gutters help separate the roof line from the walls. We install James Hardie and Mastic siding as well as seamless gutters, so we can help you look at roof, siding, and trim colors together instead of one at a time.
Picking the Color in Person
Photos on a screen, including ours, never show shingle color perfectly. The best way to choose is to hold a real sample against your brick or siding, look at it from the street, and look at a finished Atlas roof in your area if you can. When we come out for your estimate, we can bring samples so you are not choosing from a brochure.
Durability and Wind Resistance
These architectural shingles are built for more than looks. Atlas rates Pinnacle Pristine for 130 MPH wind resistance when installed with four nails per shingle, and backs that with a 15 year wind warranty. Pittsburgh does not see hurricanes, but summer thunderstorms and strong fall and winter fronts can lift poorly fastened shingles, especially on exposed hilltop streets. The wind rating depends on the shingle being nailed correctly, which is why the nailing pattern on your job matters as much as the shingle itself.
Scotchgard Algae Protection
Those black streaks you see running down roofs around Pittsburgh are usually algae, not dirt. Our humid summers, shade from mature trees, and north facing slopes on hillside lots give it everything it needs to grow. Once it takes hold, a nice roof can look old and stained within a few years.
Atlas Pinnacle Pristine shingles include 3M Scotchgard Protector, which is built into the granules to resist the algae that cause those streaks. Atlas backs it with a lifetime Scotchgard Protector warranty. For Pittsburgh homeowners with a lot of tree cover, this is one of the most practical reasons to choose this line, because the roof keeps its color without pressure washing or chemical treatments that can damage shingles.
Algae resistance is not the same as moss proof. If branches hang over the roof and debris piles up in valleys, moss can still find a foothold. Trimming back overhanging limbs and keeping gutters flowing still helps any roof last longer.
Warranty Coverage
On its own, the shingle carries a limited lifetime warranty with 10 years of non prorated coverage, plus the wind and Scotchgard coverage above. Those are the manufacturer terms for the shingle by itself.
The bigger warranty comes from installing a complete Atlas system. Malick Brothers Exteriors is an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor, which lets us offer the Atlas 50 year warranty on complete Atlas roof systems. A complete system means Atlas shingles together with Atlas underlayment, starter, hip and ridge, and ventilation components, installed to Atlas specifications. Mixing brands on the same roof can limit what the manufacturer will cover, so we install the full system when a homeowner wants that coverage. We will walk you through exactly which warranty applies to your roof in writing before any work starts.
Why Installation Matters
Every rating in this post depends on correct installation. Wind ratings assume the right nail count and placement. Warranty coverage assumes approved components and proper ventilation. On older Pittsburgh homes, we often find layered roofs, tired decking, and poor attic ventilation that need attention before a new roof goes on.
On a typical Atlas replacement, we tear off the old roof down to the deck, replace any soft or damaged decking, install ice and water protection in valleys and along eaves, lay underlayment, and then install the shingles, ridge, and ventilation as one system. We are a family owned company founded in 2022 by Ryan Malick, working out of our shop at 500 Perry Highway in West View. We are BBB A+ accredited and licensed in Pennsylvania (PA HIC PA174918).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Summer Storm a gray or a brown shingle?
Summer Storm is a blended gray. Because it mixes several granule tones, it can look a little warmer or cooler depending on light, so look at a physical sample next to your home before deciding.
Does Summer Storm go with red brick?
In most cases, yes. A gray blend usually complements red and brown brick without fighting it. Very orange brick is worth checking against a sample in daylight.
Will Scotchgard stop black streaks on my roof?
Scotchgard Protector is designed to resist the algae that cause black streaks, and Atlas backs it with a lifetime Scotchgard warranty. Keeping branches trimmed and debris cleared still helps prevent moss.
How do I get the Atlas 50 year warranty?
The 50 year warranty applies to complete Atlas roof systems installed by a qualifying contractor. As an AtlasPro+ Platinum Select contractor, we can offer it when we install the full Atlas system.
What does a Summer Storm roof cost?
Cost depends on roof size, pitch, how many layers come off, decking repairs, ventilation, and flashing details around chimneys and walls. We give every homeowner a free written estimate so you see the real number for your house.
Get a Free Estimate
If you are thinking about Atlas Pinnacle Pristine Summer Storm for your home, we would be glad to bring samples, inspect your roof, and give you a free written estimate. Contact Malick Brothers Exteriors to schedule a visit.
