IKO asphalt shingles enjoy moderate sales volume across the US and have been one of Canada’s top brands. Most IKO shingles are sold directly to roofing contractors through distributors. In Canada, Lowe’s and other retailers sell IKO shingles to the public.
Did you know? Average IKO consumer ratings are poor, dragged down by widespread failure of organic shingles and the Cambridge AR line. The company is the target of class action lawsuits in the US and Canada. However, the defective shingle lines are no longer produced and IKO has been working hard on improving formulations across the board.
We mention this upfront because the lawsuits appear prominently in online search results for IKO shingles. Homeowners who had the defective shingles installed despise the company. The remaining reviews and ratings from homeowners are about average compared with other top brands. Warranties are slightly above average, as discussed below.
Are IKO Shingles the Right Choice for Your Home?
This guide provides a critical look at the current lineup of IKO shingles from the perspective of homeowners, home inspectors, and roofing contractors.
We believe this is the best approach to getting a well-rounded view of any shingle brand. It’s how we structured our reviews of GAF and Malarkey shingles among others.
Pros
Here are the advantages offered by this brand from various perspectives.
There are two reasons roofers suggest IKO products:
1. IKO Pro4 Complete Roofing System
A roof is far more than the outer covering of shingles. It’s built from the deck up using multiple components that work together to effectively shed rainwater and keep your home protected from nature’s elements.
Here are the 4 components of the Pro4 roof system:
1) GoldShield, ArmourGard and StormShield eave protection defend the roof against wind-driven rain and ice dams. IKO recommends eave protection in valleys and around protrusions like vents and skylights.
2) RoofGard-Cool Grey or Stormtite synthetic underlayment options are chosen based on local climate.
3) Leading Edge Plus starter strips are installed at eaves and rakes as an extra line of defense where it’s needed most.
4) Three ridge cap shingle options give roofers choices for matching the profile of the shingle.
The above listed product components and accessories are compatible with all IKO shingle lines.
Did you know? In order to be covered by IKO’s best warranty, the roof must be installed with one of the IKO hip and ridge shingle options: Hip & Ridge Plus, Hip & Ridge 12 or Ultra HP.
The above requirement is standard for most brands. Some manufacturers, like GAF, require that at least two other GAF components be used.
These requirements help the manufacturer maximize material sales per job, which helps cover their risk for giving the better warranty coverage.
No tear-off, no problem! There’s an advantage here to using IKO. Most other shingle brands require using their underlayment, and that means the best warranties are only available when the old roofing is removed (a tear-off). IKO doesn’t require a tear-off to get the better warranty.