Yeah, good points here. Shingles mainly protect against weather—rain, wind, UV—but don't expect miracles for insulation. I've seen homes with premium shingles but poor attic venting still have moisture issues. Proper venting and insulation are definitely key to comfort and durability.
"Proper venting and insulation are definitely key to comfort and durability."
Couldn't agree more. People get caught up in brand debates like Tamko vs CertainTeed, but honestly, proper installation matters way more. I've seen top-tier shingles fail early because the attic was a sauna... ventilation makes or breaks your roof.
Good points here, especially about ventilation. I've helped tear off roofs that were barely 10 years old and the shingles were cooked from underneath because the attic was like an oven. Makes you wonder why people spend so much time debating brands when the real issue is often overlooked...
But speaking of installation, do you guys think there's a noticeable difference in ease of install between Tamko and CertainTeed? I've heard some roofers say CertainTeed lays down smoother and lines up easier, but others swear Tamko is quicker to handle. Curious if anyone's noticed a real-world difference on the job site or if it's mostly just personal preference?
Yeah, ventilation definitely doesn't get enough attention—seen way too many roofs fail early because of poor airflow underneath. As for Tamko vs CertainTeed, honestly, I've worked with both and it feels like splitting hairs most of the time. CertainTeed does seem a bit more forgiving if your crew is newer or you're trying to keep things perfectly straight—lines up nice, lays flat pretty quick. Tamko shingles can feel lighter and maybe a little faster to sling around, but they can sometimes be fussier if your decking isn't perfectly smooth.
One thing I've noticed over the years is that the ease of install can vary even within the same brand depending on the batch or even weather conditions. Hot days, cold days, humid days—all that stuff can make shingles behave differently. So yeah, personal preference probably plays a bigger role than any clear-cut advantage. I usually recommend just going with whatever your crew feels most comfortable handling, because being confident and efficient on the roof matters more than minor brand differences anyway.
Have you ever thought about looking beyond just Tamko and CertainTeed? I'm not knocking either one, but it kinda seems like we're stuck debating Coke vs Pepsi when there might be a craft soda hiding in the fridge. I've seen Owens Corning hold up surprisingly well after storms, even when the ventilation wasn't perfect (though obviously, fix your ventilation first!). Sometimes, those off-the-radar brands or mid-tier options can really surprise you.
Also, gotta slightly disagree on the 'crew comfort' thing—yeah, confidence matters, but shouldn't we be pushing crews to adapt and learn different products anyway? I mean, what happens if your usual brand suddenly goes out of stock or they change their formula (seen that happen more than once)? Keeping your team flexible can save a lot of headaches down the line.
Anyway, just my two cents...or maybe a cent and a half.
