When reroofing your building, choosing the suitable material for the job can be a difficult choice to make, especially when you want the best for your house. Roofs are essential parts of a building, so it is advised to use high-quality roofing materials. Tamko and GAF are two different companies that offer several types of shingles.
Tamko has been in the roofing business for over seven decades, offering different product lines, styles, designs, and colors. Their most famous line is the Heritage line, with several subcategories such as the Woodgate series.
GAF has been a manufacturer of shingles since 1886, making them one of the largest roofing companies. They produce several kinds of shingles (Timberline, Designer, Three-roof, and Specialized shingles) accompanied with the best prices. They are your go-to roofing company when you are on a budget.
The GAF Timberline HD line and the Tamko Heritage Vintage line are similar. They are made of asphalt, but the Timberline HD shingles are fiberglass asphalt, while the Heritage Vintage shingles are laminated.
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| Tamko Shingles | GAF Shingles | |
| Prices | Tamko shingles are not all that expensive. It all varies on the type of shingle. They cost about $1 to $8 per square foot. | GAF offers durable and impact-resistant shingles in every price range. They are the best option for those on a budget. |
| Warranty | All the architectural asphalt shingles offered by Tamko come with a limited lifetime warranty. | They offer a minimum of five years warranty based on a three-tier system. |
| Weight | Each Tamko shingle line weighs differently. The Tamko laminated roofing shingles weigh about 205 lbs per square foot. | Most of the shingles manufactured by GAF weigh less than 250 lbs per square foot. GAF Timberline shingles weigh about 240 to 360 lbsper square foot. |
| Materials | The Tamko Heritage line has a double layer of fiberglass mat, coated with asphalt and laminated (with a mineral granules surface). | GAF shingles have about three to five layers of protection, depending on the line. Generally, they are made with a fiberglass mesh reinforced asphalt. |
Contents
Differences between Tamko and GAF Shingles
The significant differences that both roofing companies have are warranty and their shingle line. Tamko and GAF offer different types of shingles for different audiences. The warranties that come with the lines are also different.
Shingle Line
Tamko Shingles
- Tamko 3-tab asphalt shingles
The asphalt shingles manufactured by Tamko are divided into a 3-tab system; the basic line (perfect for those on a budget), the better line (can also be called the mid-line), and the best line (which is also called the premium line).
The asphalt shingles come in several colors that are available to customers. They have fiberglass reinforcement, making them stronger and more resistant to wear and tear.
There is the Elite Glass-Seal (basic line), the Heritage and Heritage Woodgate (better line), and the Heritage Premium and Vintage (best line).
- Laminated asphalt architectural shingles
What makes the laminated asphalt shingle line different from the asphalt shingles is that the former has a double layer of fiberglass, increasing their overall performance. They also have a wind-resistant and weather-resistant asphalt coating on every side.
- Tamko metal shingles
The Tamko metal shingles cost about $4 to $6 per square foot. Metal shingles are said to be more durable and long-lasting than asphalt shingles. The metal shingles are made from recyclable materials and usually resemble woodwork slate.
GAF Shingles
When it comes to GAF shingle lines, they offer various shingles that come in different colors and affordable price options.
- GAF asphalt shingles
There are three different types of asphalt shingles offered by GAF, namely Timberline, Designer, and Traditional 3-tab shingles, with the Timberline shingles being their best-selling product.
They are commonly used among homeowners, are highly durable shingles, and have a lifetime warranty. Some of the products in this series include American Harvest, Ultra HD, Natural Shadow, Cool Series, etc.
The GAF Designer shingles are on the luxurious and expensive side. They are made to look just like a natural slate and come in different shapes and sizes. Some available styles include Camelot II, Glenwood, Grand Canyon, Woodland, Stateline, Camelot, etc.
- GAF specialized roof shingles
Just as the name implies, these roof shingles are specially designed to perform specific functions such as shock resistance and energy efficiency. Examples of the products in this line are the Grand Sequoia, Cool Series, etc.
Warranty
Tamko offers a limited warranty of about 30 to 50 years for most of its products. As stated above, all architectural asphalt shingles made by Tamko have a limited lifetime warranty. The Tamko Heritage line offers a 15-year limited wind warranty for a standard application of 110 mph and a high wind application of 130 mph. It also provides 10-year algae cleaning limited warranty.
GAF offers three different warranties, the first being the base warranty. It gives 100% coverage for ten years, plus labor costs. 3-tab shingles are not covered as they only get a range of 3 to 5 years.
The second is the better warranty; it offers 100% coverage on 3-tab shingles for twenty years and 100% coverage on every other shingle for fifty years. Lastly, the best warranty has the same features as the better warranty.
The only difference is that the best warranty comes with disposal costs and a 40-point factory inspection.
Similarities between Tamko and GAF Shingles
Materials
The materials used in the making of Tamko and GAF shingles are similar. Both brands use asphalt in the making of some of their shingle lines. Tamko products, such as the Tamko Heritage Vintage line, are laminated asphalt shingles with a surface of mineral granules.
GAF products, such as the GAF Timberline HD line, are fiberglass asphalt shingles with limestone, which provides durability and wind-resistant features. The fiberglass mat at the heart of the shingle also guarantees waterproof features.
Quality
Tamko and GAF are known for manufacturing high-quality shingles with several advantages. Tamko shingles are designed to retain their durability even in extreme weather conditions.
They come with a standard 110 mph wind application warranty and are algae resistant.
GAF shingles are impact-resistant. They have a great wind-resistant (a 110 mph wind application rating) alongside a class A fire rating. The Timberline shingles will last you for about 15 to 25 years.
Conclusion
Tamko and GAF are two reputable roofing companies that manufacture high-quality shingles in different colors, styles, shapes, and prices for every kind of budget. It is up to you to choose which best suit your taste.