I Installed Tamko Titan XT Shingles and They Outperformed Pricier Brands in Every Way That Matters

I recently finished installing Tamko Titan XT Premium Architectural Shingles on my new backyard pavilion. They weren’t the cheapest option, but architectural shingles look better and last longer than 3-tabs and cost about half as much as metal roofing. After considering three other brands, I ultimately went with Tamko shingles because of the higher wind rating and lower price. My project went smoothly, and the new roof looks fantastic. In this review, I’ll cover technical details about Tamko Titan XT shingles, along with my impression of the product quality, ease of installation, and what I might do differently next time.

Installing Tamko Titan XT Shingles

I am a serial DIYer with a fair amount of non-professional roofing experience, so I made sure to read and follow the product installation guide before and throughout this project. My 4:12 pitch gabled roof had plenty of slope—the minimum slope for these shingles is 2 inches of rise per foot of run. To prep the roof deck, I covered it with synthetic roof underlayment and installed a drip edge around the perimeter. I followed the nailing guide for four roofing nails per shingle.

This was my first full-roof shingle project not using 3-tab shingles. The two types of asphalt shingles share similarities, but the structural and substantial differences were clear. These architectural shingles were harder to cut and more tiring to carry up the ladder than 3-tabs. The heavy-duty build is what gives them a greater ability to withstand high winds and hail damage. Unlike 3-tabs that have to be trimmed at certain lengths, I could cut the Tamko architectural shingles to any length, as needed. That difference led to less waste on the project site. 

I worked alone with a hammer and nails, and the roof progressed slowly. It would have moved faster with a roofing nailer and a couple of helpers. Tamko Titan XT shingles have an extra-wide reinforced nailing zone to make nailing fast and accurate with a nail gun. My way took at least three times as long as it would have taken a professional roofer—maybe more—but the shingles themselves didn’t slow me down. Covering each side of the roof was a full day’s work for me. Cutting out and installing ridge caps took another 2 hours.

Quality

Overall, I was impressed by the quality of the shingles. Tamko Titan XT shingles carry a Class 3 impact rating and have a 160 MPH wind warranty. The 1.5-inch wide “anchor lock” nailing zone appeared to be the thickest and toughest portion, and it was certainly the toughest part to cut, so I have no reason to doubt the brand’s durability claims. During installation, I wore flat soled shoes to avoid rubbing off an excessive amount of granules. The granule layer was well embedded into the asphalt and held tightly.

I can’t leave out the underside of the shingles. They held a generous bead of high-quality enhanced polymer sealant. The temperatures hovered in the mid-40s during the project, and got down to the upper 20s overnight. Even on the north-facing plane of the gable, the sealant set perfectly within 24 hours. 

I received six squares plus a bundle (19 bundles total) for my project, and two of the bundles were slightly fouled. The stacked shingles within those bundles had shifted so that the sealant stuck a few shingles together. I managed to separate those without damaging them and used them as normal. Only time and the elements will tell the whole story, of course, but for now, I am completely satisfied seeing that the quality is in line with the cost of these shingles.

Appearance

My project is in the backyard, so curb appeal is not a major factor, but I did want it to look good. I really like the substantial 3-D texture of the Tamko architectural shingles. It gives the roof a more substantial, upscale appearance that leaves an impression similar to wood shakes. Plus, minor flaws are totally obscured in the texture. 

The color is really nice too. There were 20 options to choose from in a full spectrum of shades and tones. I went with Natural Timber from the “America’s Natural Colors” series. It’s a nice earth tone, light but not too bright, that complements the surrounding landscape.

Value

At an average price range of $40 to $50 per bundle, architectural shingles generally cost more than 3-tab shingles at $30 to $40 per bundle, but they also last up to 10 years longer. Tamko Titan XT premium architectural shingles are some of the most affordable architectural shingles on the market, priced under $40 per bundle. Relative to the competition, they offer similar impact resistance and significantly better than average wind resistance. They offer an exceptional value, making it easy to justify the cost of an upgrade from 3-tabs.

Product Comparisons

I compared similar products from leading shingle manufacturers GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. All of them carry Class 3 impact ratings, minimum wind ratings of 130 miles per hour, and come in at least 15 different colors. Tamko had the highest wind rating and lowest price per bundle of the group, with lots of color options to choose from.

Pro Quality Roofing Shingles at a Budget-Friendly Price

Buying roofing materials on the cheap could be a recipe for disaster, but Tamko Titan XT shingles are not cheap. They are high-quality shingles at a value price point. The product quality is perfectly in line with higher-priced competitors, and they may even outperform the competition in certain conditions. I was most impressed by the large, reinforced nailing zone and thick layer of granules. They look and feel like they will hold up to harsh weather at least as well as advertised. And the cost of my small project was roughly $100 less than it would have been had I used the top competing product.

So, are the Tamko Titan XT shingles right for you?

If you are planning a new shingled roof project, then Tamko Titan XT shingles should be on your comparison sheet. I was impressed with their overall quality, and the price was about the same as some of the higher-end 3-tab options, which, honestly, are not as good. They are some of the most affordable architectural shingles you can get, so they can be an easy upgrade or a simple money-saving alternative to some of the bigger-name brands. To be honest, after installing these, I haven’t found a compelling reason to use anything else.

Meet the Tester

Mark Wolfe is a writer, product tester, and avid DIYer. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything and everything in his home, yard, and garden. He tests and writes reviews about tools, lawn care, and home repair products, and outdoor living goods.

 

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