Courtesy of TAMKO

Imagine
living on a remote island – even in today’s times, how would you go
about choosing the right products to protect your home from the extreme
weather and unpredictable elements? On Matinicus Island – 22 miles off
the coast of Maine, TAMKO’s Titan XT^® shingles have been put
to the test. With their industry-leading high wind warranty for wind
speeds up to 160 mph,* Titan XT shingles were specifically chosen for
this roofing project because of the island’s severe weather conditions.
Within the first week, Titan XT shingles withstood the first major
windstorm, holding tightly and proving why they were right choice.

Matinicus
Island is renowned for its remote beauty and serves as a proving ground
where the strength of building materials is rigorously tested against
harsh elements.

The island’s weather is unpredictable, with
property owners constantly battling elements ranging from biting cold
winters to humid summers, and from ice and snow to high winds.

Reflecting
a shared sentiment about the relentless weather challenges they face,
Eve Murray, the town clerk, captured the community’s sentiment
perfectly: “We are at the mercy of the weather.”

This view is
reinforced by Ellen Bunker, a resident and local lobster fisherman, who
noted, “If it can blow off, it will.” Such comments underscore the
critical need for dependable roofing solutions like TAMKO’s Titan XT in
such demanding conditions.

This unique environment set the stage
for a significant roofing project initiated in early August, featuring
Titan XT shingles. Performing an installation on a remote island
presented unique challenges, logistics required precise coordination and
the timing had to align with weather windows to avoid the turbulent
winter season known for its fierce storms.

Why Titan XT?

“We’ve experienced many blow offs with competitor shingles, and the sealants that are on the Titans grab the shingle as soon as they’re laid and lock the roof right together.”
— Scott MacDonald, senior project manager at James & Whitney Co

Chosen
for its resilience in harsh climates, Titan XT was identified as the
best shingle for this install, completed by TAMKO Certified Contractor**
James & Whitney Co., professionals that are accustomed to the
unrelenting weather in Maine.

“In this climate, it seems like an
ideal product to use – with all the high winds we experience, the winter
storms, the summer microbursts, and all the coastline with the high
winds,” explained Eric James, a partner at James & Whitney Co.

Titan
XT shingles are crafted with some of the most advanced innovative
technologies and these shingles are designed to help withstand the
fiercest conditions nature can muster. 

Scott MacDonald, senior
project manager at James & Whitney Co., led the installation on the
Matinicus Island home. He praised the technical merits of Titan XT
shingles. 

“Titan XT is my preferred shingle. It lays flat. It
seals well. It withstands the weather that we experience in the State of
Maine from the extreme cold to the extreme heat,” he said.

The Winter Test

Just
a week after the installation of Titan XT shingles on a home on
Matinicus Island, a severe storm struck, putting the new roof to an
immediate and rigorous test. Despite the intense weather, which wreaked
havoc on another brand of roofing materials, not a single Titan XT
shingle was displaced.

Throughout the winter, the region endured
brutal conditions with tremendous wind, surf, and storms that damaged
many coastal homes. One of these storms was Hurricane Lee, a Category 5
hurricane that made landfall in September producing tropical storm force
winds in Maine. The homeowner shared how her Titan XT roof remained
intact, with no shingles lost or damage evident. 

“This is the
first winter that we were able watch our beautiful home and gorgeous
roof survive with no shingles lost,” she said, highlighting the stark
difference from previous years when shingles frequently needed to be
picked up after winter storms. The alternative could have led to
significant water or roof damage. 

“Titan XT is my preferred shingle. It lays flat. It seals well. It withstands the weather that we experience in the State of Maine from the extreme cold to the extreme heat.”
— Scott MacDonald, senior project manager at James & Whitney Co

MacDonald knew from working with Titan XT that the product had significant advantages for this project.

“Titan
XT has great sealants on the shingles,” he said. “We’ve experienced
many blow offs with competitor shingles, and the sealants that are on
the Titans grab the shingle as soon as they’re laid and lock the roof
right together.” 

Despite fierce storms that toppled trees and
wreaked havoc across the island, the home remained intact, with the roof
fully performing as expected.

Conclusion

Titan
XT shingles have proven capable of withstanding the severe weather
conditions of Matinicus Island, from high winds and driving rains to
harsh winter storms. In such a remote location that experiences some of
the most extreme weather in the U.S., where building products and
roofing contractors are scarce, Titan XT shingles were the obvious
choice for this unique and challenging project. 

Titan XT shingles have also stood up against other extreme weather conditions like Hurricane Ian.
The innovation behind Titan XT shingles is defining new standards for
roofing in extreme conditions. When planning your next project, consider
how Titan XT shingles could make a transformative difference. With
their cutting-edge technology and robust design, they are crafted to
provide one of the best defenses to demanding weather conditions.