Wait, Tamko really started in a chicken coop? That’s wild. Does that mean their shingles are more “aroma-resistant” than others, or is that just a funny coincidence? I’ve always wondered if the tar smell ever fully goes away when you store bundles inside. Is it just me or do some brands seem way stinkier than others? I tried keeping a couple bundles in my parents’ basement once—let’s just say nobody was thrilled about it, especially not the cat. Is outdoor storage actually better even with all the critters around, or am I missing something?
That chicken coop origin story cracks me up every time. Maybe Tamko was just ahead of their time with “free-range shingles.” But seriously, I’ve noticed the tar smell too—some brands are way worse than others. I had a bundle of GAF sitting in my garage last summer, and it basically turned the whole place into a hot asphalt sauna. Not ideal when you’re trying to sneak a midnight snack and get walloped with that smell.
I tried the basement storage trick once (rookie move). My dog wouldn’t go near his water bowl for a week. I swear, the smell just seeps into everything down there. It’s kind of wild how persistent it is. I’m not convinced it ever fully goes away indoors, especially if the bundles sit for more than a few days.
Outdoor storage is a toss-up. On one hand, you avoid fumigating your house. On the other, the squirrels around here seem to think anything under a tarp is their new timeshare. I lost a couple bundles to some very determined rodents last fall. If you’ve got a shed or even a makeshift lean-to, that seems to work best—just keep things off the ground and covered. Otherwise, you’re trading tar smell for critter damage.
I’m in the Midwest, so humidity’s a beast, and I’ve noticed that some brands get stickier and stinkier than others once it heats up. Not sure if Tamko’s chicken coop heritage makes them less “aromatic,” but at least you know they’re used to weird smells? Either way, I’d vote for keeping shingles outside if you can swing it, unless you want your house to smell like a freshly paved driveway.
Just my two cents as someone who’s made all the rookie mistakes.
- Chicken coop shingles... now that’s a mental image I can’t unsee.
- You’re spot on about the smell. I’ve walked into garages that felt like hot tar pits—makes you wonder how anyone stores these inside more than once.
- Squirrels treating tarps like Airbnbs? Yep, same here. Lost a box of nails to a raccoon last spring.
- Midwest humidity is brutal. I swear, some brands get sticky enough to glue your shoes down.
- Lean-to storage is underrated. Anything to keep the critters out and the stink away from the house.
- Honestly, you’ve survived the rookie mistakes—now you’re basically a pro.
That Midwest humidity is no joke—sometimes I feel like the shingles are melting right off the stack in July. I’ve tried keeping bundles in a shed, but even then, the smell just seeps in. I’m with you on the lean-to; it’s not fancy, but at least the critters have to work for it. Has anyone actually had luck with those “critter-proof” storage bins? I swear, raccoons around here could open a bank vault if they wanted.
That humidity will turn a shingle bundle into a sticky brick before you know it. I’ve seen more than one “critter-proof” bin get popped open like a can of Pringles—raccoons out here seem to have opposable thumbs and a grudge. The only thing that’s kept them out for me is a metal trash can with a bungee cord, and even then, I caught one trying to chew through the lid.
Honestly, I think the lean-to is underrated. It’s not pretty, but at least you can see what’s going on, and nothing gets trapped inside to rot. Sheds just seem to marinate everything in that hot, damp smell by August. Only downside is wind—lost half a stack once when a storm rolled through. Guess there’s no perfect answer unless you want to build Fort Knox for your shingles... or just let the raccoons run their black market out back.
