Good points all around, but honestly, sustainability claims with shingles can be a bit...iffy. Sure, some products use recycled materials or have better energy ratings, but the real-world difference isn't always huge. If you're serious about going green, maybe look into proper attic insulation and ventilation first—makes way more impact on your home's efficiency than just shingle choice. After that, pick whichever brand you trust most and fits your budget. Just my two cents from being up on roofs all day!
Haha, speaking from experience here—spent last summer lugging shingles up ladders, and honestly, the brand debates cracked me up. Tamko, CertainTeed... after a while, they all blend together when you're sweating buckets up there. Agree 100% on insulation and ventilation though—my uncle upgraded his attic insulation, and his AC bills dropped way more noticeably than when he switched shingles. Maybe the real question is: which shingle color hides bird poop better? Asking for a friend...
Funny you mention bird droppings... I once inspected a roof after a storm and the homeowner swore darker shingles hid the mess better. Personally, I've found texture matters more than color, but now you've got me curious—maybe a new test is in order?
Funny you bring up texture vs. color—I had a similar debate with myself a few years back when we replaced our roof. We ended up going with CertainTeed shingles, mostly because our neighbor had them and they looked great even after several years. But here's the funny part: I remember standing in the driveway, squinting up at the roof samples, trying to imagine how they'd handle bird droppings and tree sap. My wife thought I'd lost it, but hey, these are the real homeowner dilemmas nobody warns you about.
Anyway, we chose a darker shade thinking it'd hide stains better, but honestly, texture turned out to be the bigger factor. The smoother shingles seemed to show every little spot, while the more textured ones disguised things surprisingly well. I guess it's like carpet—patterns and textures hide dirt better than solid colors, right?
As for Tamko vs. CertainTeed specifically, I've heard good things about both. My brother-in-law swears by Tamko because he says they're easier to install (he's a DIY guy), but our CertainTeed shingles have held up really well through storms and harsh winters. No leaks or curling edges yet, knock on wood.
Now you've got me wondering if there's some kind of informal homeowner test we could run... maybe toss some mud or ketchup packets onto sample shingles and see which cleans off easiest? Could be a fun weekend project—or at least entertaining for the neighbors watching from their windows.
We went with Tamko about five years ago, mostly because our contractor recommended them for ease of installation and decent warranty coverage. Honestly, they've held up pretty well through some nasty weather—no leaks or major issues yet. But I totally agree on texture being key...our shingles have a bit of graininess to them, and it definitely helps hide the random bird droppings and tree gunk. Your ketchup packet test sounds hilarious though—might have to try that myself next time we're bored on a Saturday afternoon.
