CertainTeed's solid, no doubt, but honestly Tamko gets a bit of an unfair rap sometimes. I've seen plenty of roofs with Tamko shingles hold up just fine after some pretty nasty hailstorms. A lot comes down to proper installation and ventilation—no brand's bulletproof if the job isn't done right.
Totally agree, it's stressful, but don't rule out Tamko completely based on a few mixed reviews."Roofing limbo's no joke though...hang in there!"
I'm still pretty new to all this roofing stuff, but isn't warranty coverage something worth considering here too? I mean, I've heard CertainTeed has a pretty solid reputation for honoring their warranties without too much hassle. Has anyone had experience dealing with Tamko's warranty claims directly? Because even if the shingles themselves hold up fine, I'd be worried about how easy it is to get support if something does go wrong.
Also, I get your point about installation and ventilation being key—makes sense—but doesn't that apply equally to both brands? If that's the case, wouldn't it make sense to lean toward the brand with a stronger overall reputation and possibly better customer service track record?
Not trying to knock Tamko outright or anything...just genuinely curious if there's more to consider beyond just durability in storms. As a first-time homeowner, I'm realizing there's always some hidden detail or catch you don't think about until it's too late. Like, is there a noticeable difference in algae resistance or color fading between these two brands over time?
Honestly, this whole roofing decision feels like splitting hairs sometimes. But since it's such a big investment, I'd rather ask all the annoying questions now than regret it later.
Warranty coverage is definitely something I'd factor in, especially if you're budget-conscious (like me). But another thing to consider—have you looked into any real-world comparisons of how these shingles hold up over time in terms of energy efficiency? I've heard some brands can actually help cut down cooling costs in the summer, but I haven't found reliable info on whether Tamko or CertainTeed has an advantage there. Curious if anyone else has dug into that angle...
When we replaced our roof last year, I went down a similar rabbit hole trying to figure out the energy efficiency angle. Honestly, it was tough finding clear-cut info comparing Tamko and CertainTeed specifically. But here's something practical I learned along the way: the biggest difference in energy savings usually comes from the color and reflectivity of the shingles rather than brand alone.
We ended up choosing a lighter-colored CertainTeed shingle because a neighbor had them installed a few years back and swore their attic felt noticeably cooler afterward. Anecdotal, I know... but after one summer, our upstairs bedrooms did feel less oven-like compared to before. Not exactly scientific proof, but it made sense to me that lighter shingles would reflect more sunlight.
So if energy efficiency is a big factor for you, I'd suggest focusing more on picking a lighter shade in whichever brand you go with. Warranty coverage and installation quality probably matter more overall—just my two cents.
Good points about color and reflectivity. When I was helping my folks redo their roof, we went with Tamko in a medium gray shade—not super light, but definitely lighter than the old dark brown shingles. Honestly, it did seem to help a bit with the heat upstairs, though probably not as dramatically as a really pale color would have. I'd say whichever brand you pick, just make sure your installer knows their stuff—good installation makes all the difference in the long run.
