Are shingles still good after two years outside on a pallet? What to check before you buy

Age alone is not the problem. Owens Corning says it has no stated shelf life for its asphalt shingles, but it lists storage requirements tied to its warranties: factory packaging, a ventilated spot, a flat, solid, level and dry surface that drains, and never under roof runoff. It recommends covered storage out of direct sun, below 110°F, with separator boards between pallets.

GAF's bulletin TAB-R-122, revised in May 2026, lists what goes wrong: bundles that distort so shingles won't lie flat, shingles stuck together by heat or pressure, adhesive squeezed out between laminated layers, granule staining, color variation and weaker sealant performance on old stock. GAF says storage damage is not covered by its limited warranties, and neither is the cost of replacing visibly damaged material. Malarkey adds that sun, wind and UV break down bundle wraps, and that double-stacked pallets dent, stain and stick, worst at the bottom.

Before buying, read the date codes and keep to one production run; GAF recommends grouping manufacturing dates for color and performance. Look for torn wraps and water inside. Ask whether the pallets ever sat in standing water: GAF treats flooded or submerged shingles as damaged goods that should be destroyed and are not covered. Open a bundle from the bottom pallet and check that the shingles lie flat and come apart cleanly. Malarkey says stuck bundles can be snapped loose by lifting one end about 45 degrees, ideally in cool morning air, and that a damaged shingle should never go on a roof. Check the stacking limit too: GAF allows most of its shingle lines two pallets high, and Timberline AS II only one.