If you are looking to outfit your home with new shingles to protect that roof and the interior of your house, then you’ve come to the right place. Right now, we are going to compare two of what are considered to be the best shingles brands, particularly their flagship products. These brands are GAF and TAMKO.
Both are known for producing fairly affordable yet high-quality shingles, but today we want to figure out which ones are better. Let’s get to it and see which of these two brands is best for you.
GAF Overview
First, we have GAF, which is effectively one of the oldest roofing and shingle companies in the world. This brand has been around since 1886 and has been producing shingles of all sorts throughout this time.
It is considered to be the number one leading roofing and shingle manufacturer in North America. One of the reasons why people like GAF so much is because the selection of asphalt shingles is absolutely massive.
Moreover, the vast majority of products from this brand name are priced affordably, which is why homeowners tend to go with them. They are affordable, yet also have a pretty decent level of quality. They generally have good impact resistance, fire ratings, wind ratings, algae resistance, and more.
For the price they come in at, they are considered to be some of the better shingles out there, and they offer a good mix of durability and affordability. One of the most popular shingles from this brand is the Timberline, so this is what we will be focusing on today as a point of comparison.
TAMKO Overview
We then have TAMKO, which is actually a relatively new company. It was Founded in 1994 in the state of Missouri, therefore making it a very proud American manufacturer of shingles and roofing products.
They have plenty of asphalt shingles to choose from, but they also make metal shingles and other types.
There is a fairly wide selection of products available from this brand, although one of the most popular ones is the Heritage lineup. This brand is also known for producing very affordable shingles that are still quite durable and high-quality.
TAMKO shingles might not be considered the best in the world, although they do hold up fairly well when it comes to weather and impact. Generally speaking, they could be considered a budget brand name in the world of shingles, although they do have some premium options with state-of-the-art features.
GAF vs. TAMKO: How Do They Compare?
Now that we have a basic understanding of what GAF and TAMKO are all about, let’s take a closer look at how their shingles stack up against each other.
Product Lineup
When it comes down to it, GAF has one of the biggest product lineups out there, with over 15 different types of asphalt shingles alone. TAMKO on the other hand has six different lineups of asphalt shingles, as well as a few lineups of metal options. That said, the product lineup from GAF is at least twice the size, and this also goes for color selection. If you are looking for variety, it is GAF that you want to go with.
Overall Quality
If we compare the overall quality of GAF Timberline shingles with TAMKO Heritage shingles, in the grand scheme of things, the Timberlines are likely just a little bit more durable and have a higher level of overall quality. Now, for the most part, both of these shingles are fairly even on most fronts.
They both have great fire ratings, good wind ratings, algae resistance, and energy efficiency too. GAF Timberline shingles seem to outpace TAMKO Heritage shingles in most categories, although the difference is quite small.
Durability
In terms of overall durability, both of these shingles are on fairly even footing, as they both have Class 4 impact resistance, making them very durable.
Overall, both of these shingles can handle a good deal of punishment, although, for the most part, most people would say that GAF Timberline shingles last just a little bit longer. That said, this is somewhat subjective, as it also depends on weather conditions and the quality of installation.
Wind Rating
Both the GAF Timberline shingles and the TAMKO Heritage shingles feature wind ratings of 130 mph or about 210 kilometers per hour.
That said, there are some extremely high-end shingles from the TAMKO brand name that are rated for up to 160 mph, although these are also very expensive. If we are comparing just these flagship and basic products, GAF is just slightly more resistant to wind and inclement weather.
Algae Resistance
As seems to be the case across the board, both of these brand names are rated fairly highly when it comes to algae resistance. Both use special products and materials that help prevent the growth and spread of algae from occurring. However, as the running theme here seems to be, GAF seems to have a slight advantage.
Energy Efficiency
What is pretty neat is that both of these brand names produce shingles that are Energy Star certified, including both the Timberline and the Heritage lineups.
That said, you do of course have to choose the right colors, such as any of the cool colors available. However, because GAF has such a much bigger product lineup, it also has many more Energy Star certified shingles.
Fire Rating
Both of the shingles from these brand names have Class A fire ratings, which is the highest in the industry.
Warranty
Generally speaking, the best warranties from both of these brands last for 50 years, although on select products, GAF does also offer limited lifetime warranties. GAF shingles warranties tend to be a bit more comprehensive and complicated, whereas TAMKO warranties tend to be a bit simpler, but also effective.
Price
You can expect to spend between $2.50 and $3 per square foot on GAF shingles, whereas TAMKO shingles should cost you between $2 and $4 per square foot. If we are talking about the Timberline and the Heritage lineups, the Heritage is usually slightly less expensive.
GAF vs. TAMKO: Which Offers Better Roofing Shingles?
When it comes down to it, realistically, GAF offers slightly better shingles than TAMKO. That said, both brands have affordable products that are fairly high in quality. If you are looking for something very cost-effective, try the lower-end TAMKO shingles, and if you want something a bit more durable, go for GAF.
In general, however, you cannot go wrong with either brand.
How Do GAF and TAMKO Compare with Other Shingles Brands?
See how GAF compares with: Atlas | BP | CertainTeed | IKO | Malarkey | Owens Corning
See how TAMKO compares with: Atlas | CertainTeed | IKO | Malarkey | Owens Corning