If you’re looking for a new brand of shingles, you’ve come to the right place, because we’re about to compare two very popular ones. We’re here to do a side-by-side comparison of IKO and BP, both of which are Canadian. Those Canadians always make high-quality products, and they haven’t failed to do so here.
Let’s get to it and take a look at what both of these brands have to offer, so you can make an informed decision between them.
IKO Overview
First, we have IKO, which was founded in 1951, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, therefore making it around 70 years old. Many people appreciate how this is one of the few family-owned shingles manufacturers in the world.
Even more impressive is that it has remained family-owned and features over 40 different manufacturing facilities in Europe and North America, therefore making it a fairly large company with a near-worldwide presence. It’s also a respected brand name, mainly because it is ideal for homeowners who need decent quality products at low prices.
On that note, yes, IKO is often seen as being a budget brand, not a high-end brand. However, this is exactly why many people like it, because they have decent products at decent prices. One of the more popular products from this brand name is the IKO Cambridge, one of the bestselling shingles they have to offer.
BP Overview
We then have BP, also known as Building Products of Canada. This company has been producing super high-quality products since 1905. Technically speaking, this company was first founded in 1795 but did not start producing roofing products until 1906, when the first fiberboard plant was made in Quebec.
Yes, this company is based in Quebec. Since then, it has built a number of manufacturing facilities throughout Canada, four to be exact. The company is at this time owned by private owners. One of the selling points of this brand is that it creates shingles that are ideal for the harsh and very cold Canadian environment.
This is a brand known for producing fairly high-quality products at somewhat reasonable prices. It’s definitely not the most budget-friendly brand in the world, but you get what you pay for, and what you get here are quality products. One of the most popular shingles from this brand is the Vanguard.
IKO vs. BP: How Do They Compare?
Now that we know a little bit about both of these brands, let’s do a side-by-side comparison to figure out exactly what you’re in for.
Product Lineup
If you are looking for a good selection of products, IKO is a pretty good option to consider. They have around ten products to choose from, spread across four categories, including performance, traditional, architectural, and designer shingles.
Each product also comes in a variety of colors. We then have BP, which has just about half as many shingles to choose from, five different types, with that Vanguard being by far the most popular. These shingles all come in a variety of colors, but the selection is not as good as with IKO.
Overall Quality
If we had to choose one of these brands for their quality, it would likely have to be BP. Based on countless online reviews and other facts we have gathered, BP shingles are just much more durable than IKO shingles.
They just have a higher level of quality, and this is true in virtually all ways. BP is a higher-end brand than IKO, and this is reflected in its products. Because of this, BP products have better features and they tend to last longer as well.
Durability
Although many of the products from both brand names have the same types of ratings, it’s pretty clear that BP products are more durable. This is especially the case if we compare the Vanguard with the Cambridge.
When it comes to things like granule loss, impact resistance, and weather resistance, the BP Vanguard appears to be much better, and this tends to be the case if we compare all of the shingles from both brands.
Wind Rating
What’s interesting to note is that the IKO Cambridge has a wind rating of 130 mph, whereas the BP Vanguard has a rating of 135 mph. This actually tends to be the case if we compare all of the shingles from both brands.
Most IKO shingles have a 130 mph rating, with most shingles from BP having a 135 mph rating. They should therefore be slightly more wind-resistant.
Algae Resistance
BP employs a variety of special tools and techniques to prevent algae from growing on its shingles, as is the case for IKO.
However, it appears as though IKO might actually have a slight edge on this front, as BP shingles are designed to work for cold resistance and weather resistance more than they are for algae resistance. This is not to say that BP shingles are not algae-resistant, but maybe not quite as much as IKO.
Energy Efficiency
From what we have been able to gather, all shingles from BP should be Energy Star certified, whereas only a select few shingles from IKO are Energy Star certified, although this does include the Cambridge.
Fire Rating
The vast majority of singles, if not all of them, from both brand names, feature a Class A fire rating, which is as good as it gets.
Warranty
IKO features limited lifetime warranties on most products, although the fine print requires careful attention. BP also appears to have limited lifetime warranties, although these appear to be a bit more comprehensive and much more difficult to void.
Price
For IKO shingles, expect to spend anywhere between $0.50 and $1.00 per square foot. With BP, expect to spend anywhere between $1.70 and $4 per square foot.
IKO vs. BP: Which Offers Better Roof Shingles?
The bottom line here is that BP is more quality focused and IKO is more quantity focused. This is not to say that there are not more high-quality options from IKO or more affordable options from BP.
However, generally speaking, if it’s quality that you want, go for BP. If you are working on a tight budget, go for IKO.
How Do IKO and BP Compare with Other Shingles Brands?
See how IKO compares with: CertainTeed | GAF | Malarkey | Owens Corning | Soprema | TAMKO
See how BP compares with: CertainTeed | GAF