Tamko's definitely solid, especially if installed right. I've inspected plenty of roofs with both Tamko and CertainTeed shingles, and honestly, both brands hold up pretty well if the installation is done properly. CertainTeed might have a slight edge in terms of thickness and durability, but Tamko's granule texture does seem to hide dirt and debris better—your ketchup packet test cracked me up, by the way...might have to borrow that idea for my next inspection demo.
"Tamko's granule texture does seem to hide dirt and debris better—your ketchup packet test cracked me up"
Haha, wait... ketchup packet test? Did I miss something here? Curious how that works exactly—does it simulate bird droppings or something? Also, do you think CertainTeed's extra thickness really makes a noticeable difference long-term?
Haha, the ketchup packet thing reminds me of when my neighbor tested shingles by tossing coffee grounds on them—said it mimicked tree debris better. Anyway, thicker shingles might hold up longer, but honestly, proper install and ventilation matter more over time... just my two cents.
Both brands have their merits, honestly. Tamko tends to be a bit more budget-friendly, but CertainTeed usually edges out in terms of warranty and color options. But like you mentioned earlier, installation and ventilation are key—I've seen premium shingles fail early just because someone skipped proper venting. And hey, coffee grounds as tree debris? Might have to borrow that trick for demos... beats ketchup packets any day.
Totally agree on the venting point—seen way too many good shingles bite the dust early because someone cut corners there. Between Tamko and CertainTeed, I've generally leaned toward CertainTeed for higher-end projects, mostly because their warranty terms are clearer and easier to deal with if something does go wrong. But honestly, Tamko's come a long way in terms of durability. Their Heritage line holds up surprisingly well, especially considering the price difference.
One thing I'd add is to double-check local distributors for availability. Around here at least, CertainTeed colors can sometimes be backordered, which throws off scheduling big-time. And yeah, coffee grounds as debris? Genius move... ketchup packets were always a sticky mess to clean up after demos, never again.
