PABCO Premier received a 7.2 assessment after a bundle showed substantial loose granules, a relatively small common-bond and nailing area, and easy breakage when a shingle was lifted and flexed. Those are not merely appearance concerns: the breakage appeared near the line of the tiger-tooth tab, where a tear could create openings through the shingle.
The product was characterized as a builder-grade option that can do the job, but is less forgiving when handling or nail placement is inconsistent. For a reroof bid, the useful question is not whether every PABCO Premier roof will have these issues. It is whether the delivered bundles are in acceptable condition and whether the installation will follow the package instructions.
What drove the 7.2 PABCO Premier assessment
The 7.2 assessment identified three product-specific concerns:
- Loose granules: The opened bundle had substantial granule loss. Granules help protect asphalt from sun, wind, and wear, and loose granules can also create a safety hazard.
- A narrow fastening area: The nailing zone and common-bond area were considered below average in size compared with other products. The common-bond area was described as about half an inch.
- Breakage during flexing: A new shingle broke when it was grabbed and flexed. The break was near the tiger-tooth tab line, and light could be seen through the damaged area.
The bundle used for this assessment had been moved around and its packaging was rough. That condition does not establish that every PABCO Premier bundle will arrive the same way. It does make the condition of the delivered materials worth checking before installation begins.
The package instructions are a useful reference
PABCO Premier packaging included a location for four nails, plus flashing, hip-and-ridge, layout, and underlayment details. Those printed instructions give the crew a direct product reference.
The small common-bond and nailing area raises the stakes for following that reference. A roof can require thousands of nails, and a narrower target leaves less room for inconsistent placement. PABCO Premier may be more vulnerable to installation mistakes than a more flexible product with a larger fastening area.
Why handling matters with this shingle
Shingles are moved from bundles, carried across the roof, and sometimes stacked over a ridge. PABCO Premier's demonstrated breakage risk matters because ordinary handling can flex a shingle around the tab area. A cracked shingle should not be treated as a cosmetic issue when the damage creates an opening through the material.
Homeowners do not need to bend or test shingles. Instead, check delivered materials from the ground and photograph visibly torn wrappers, crushed bundle corners, or unusually heavy loose granules around the bundles.
One concise PABCO Premier bid check
Before approving a bid that specifies PABCO Premier, keep the conversation tied to the conditions identified above:
- Confirm the exact shingle. Make sure the proposal identifies PABCO Premier rather than only naming the manufacturer.
- Check bundle condition before installation. Address rough packaging, crushed bundles, or conspicuous loose granules before the shingles are put on the roof.
- Use the package fastening instructions. The four-nail location and other printed installation details should be the product reference.
- Set a clear expectation for handling damage. Establish how shingles that crack, tear, or break while being moved or installed will be handled.
This keeps the decision centered on PABCO Premier's reported strengths and limitations: clear package instructions, but a narrow fastening area and demonstrated sensitivity to flexing. Directorii lists verified contractors.
Source: PABCO Premier shingle rating
FAQ
Why did PABCO Premier receive a 7.2 assessment?
The 7.2 assessment focused on substantial loose granules in the opened bundle, a below-average nailing and common-bond area, and a shingle that broke when lifted and flexed near the tiger-tooth tab line.
Does loose granule loss mean every PABCO Premier bundle is defective?
No. The bundle used for the assessment had been moved around and had rough packaging, so its condition does not establish how every bundle will arrive. Still, visibly heavy loose granules, torn wrappers, and crushed bundle corners should be addressed before installation.
What does PABCO Premier's narrow common-bond area mean?
The common-bond area was described as about half an inch and below average compared with other products. A smaller nailing area leaves less room for inconsistent nail placement, making the package instructions especially important.
How many nails does PABCO Premier packaging show?
The packaging showed a location for four nails. It also included flashing, hip-and-ridge, layout, and underlayment details.
Can PABCO Premier shingles break while being handled?
A new shingle broke when it was grabbed and flexed, with the break occurring near the tiger-tooth tab line. Since shingles are moved and staged during installation, damaged shingles should be identified rather than installed.
