We did a CertainTeed roof on my uncle's place last summer—went with a lighter tan color to replace some old dark shingles. Honestly, didn't notice a huge difference in heat upstairs, but the quality seemed solid. Agree 100% about installation though...we had a couple minor leaks after the first big rain because the installer rushed the flashing around the chimney. Once that got fixed properly, no issues since. So yeah, whichever brand you pick, just make sure your installer isn't cutting corners.
"whichever brand you pick, just make sure your installer isn't cutting corners."
Totally agree on this. We went with Tamko a few years back mainly because of budget, and honestly they've held up pretty well. But yeah, our neighbor had CertainTeed installed poorly and it was a nightmare...installer quality definitely trumps brand choice in my book.
Yeah, installer makes a huge difference. We had CertainTeed put on about 10 yrs ago, zero issues so far...knock on wood. Did your neighbor ever get things sorted out with that bad install?
My neighbor eventually got it sorted, but it was a bit of a headache. They ended up having another installer come in to fix the flashing and redo some shingles around the chimney area. Honestly, that's usually where installs go wrong—flashing details and valleys. If you're deciding between Tamko and CertainTeed, I'd lean toward CertainTeed based on my experience. But really, spend more time vetting your installer: check references, ask about their flashing methods, and make sure they're certified by the manufacturer...that'll save you headaches down the road.
"Honestly, that's usually where installs go wrong—flashing details and valleys."
Yeah, totally agree about flashing and valleys being tricky spots. But I gotta say, I've seen some pretty solid installs with Tamko shingles too. My uncle had Tamko Heritage put on his place about five years ago, and they've held up great through some nasty storms. No leaks or issues yet, knock on wood...
I think you're spot-on about the installer being key though. Even the best shingles won't hold up if they're slapped on carelessly. But I wouldn't completely rule out Tamko just yet—especially if you find a reputable installer who's comfortable working with them. Sometimes it comes down to regional availability and what your local roofers prefer working with. Either way, good luck with the decision...roofing choices can definitely feel overwhelming at first.
