If you’ve been researching roofing shingles, you’ve probably come across IKO — and you’ve probably also come across some mixed opinions about them online. So let’s cut through the noise.
As a roofing contractor that has installed IKO shingles on homes throughout Myrtle Beach, Horry County, and the Grand Strand, here is our honest assessment.
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What IKO Is (And Where They Sit in the Market)
IKO Industries is a privately held, family-owned company that has been manufacturing roofing products since 1951. They operate manufacturing facilities across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. They are not a budget brand — their Dynasty and Cambridge lines compete directly with GAF’s Timberline series and CertainTeed’s Landmark line.
IKO’s reputation gets complicated because of one thing: a class-action lawsuit from the early 2000s related to an older shingle product called the “Armourshield” and “Marathon” lines. Those products are long discontinued. If you’re reading reviews from that era, they do not apply to current IKO products.
The Current IKO Dynasty: What We Think
The IKO Dynasty — their flagship architectural shingle — is a genuinely strong product. Here’s what stands out:
- ArmourZone nailing strip: A wider, reinforced nailing area that reduces the chance of a nail missing its mark during installation. This matters enormously for wind performance in coastal areas like Myrtle Beach.
- FastLock sealant: IKO’s proprietary sealant activates quickly in heat, helping shingles bond down faster after installation. Important in our humid SC climate.
- 130 mph wind rating: Tested and certified for winds that match what Grand Strand homes can face during tropical storm season.
- Lifetime Limited Warranty: IKO backs Dynasty with a lifetime warranty, transferable to subsequent homeowners within the first 5 years.
Where IKO Falls Short
No shingle is perfect, and honest contractors will tell you that IKO has real areas where competitors edge them out:
- Algae warranty: GAF’s StainGuard Plus offers a 25-year algae protection warranty. IKO’s algae coverage on Dynasty is shorter. In a humid coastal climate where algae is a visible nuisance, this gap is worth noting.
- Contractor network: GAF and CertainTeed both have larger certified installer networks, which means their enhanced warranty programs are more widely accessible.
- Reputation baggage: Right or wrong, IKO’s old lawsuit still surfaces in online searches. Some homeowners find this unsettling even when the products in question are decades old.
Bottom Line: Are IKO Shingles Worth It?
Yes — with the right product and the right installer. The IKO Dynasty is a premium shingle that performs well in our coastal market. We wouldn’t put it on our customers’ homes if we didn’t believe in it.
The bigger lesson here is one we tell every homeowner we talk to: the shingle is secondary to the installation. A $1000/square shingle installed by a sloppy crew will fail before a $500/square shingle installed by an experienced team that follows manufacturer specs, uses proper underlayment, nails in the right zone, and correctly seals all penetrations.
When you work with Klaus Roofing, you get both: quality materials and quality installation. We stand behind every roof we put on.
Want to Talk Through Your Options?
We serve Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, Pawleys Island, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, and all of Horry and Georgetown Counties. Our free inspections come with no sales pressure — just an honest assessment of what your roof needs and what your options are.
