Malarkey shingles Review 2024

Dura seal is also available in a great range of color choices like these above

Dura-seal is truly a fascinating shingle because it is a 3-tab with a class 4 impact resistant rating. How Malarkey managed to pull this one off is mind-blowing The whole idea of Class 4 shingles is to be thicker to be able to withstand the force of hail falling from the sky. Yet it is a three tab with a Class 4 impact rating?! 

Part of the reason for this impact rating is largely due to being only a handful of 3-tab shingles that is made with SBS rubberized polymer.

It carries a 25-year warranty, 5 year algae warranty, as well as a 70mph wind rating.

We at Luck roofing tend to frown upon installing 3 tab shingles as their wind rating is horrendous. But since this shingle carries an impact rating and has algae resistance just like Atlas Scotchgard warranty, we would consider installing this for low budget clients. Consider Atlas Shingles as we recommend these .

As long as the homeowner doesn’t mind repairing a few shingles here and there every couple years because of damage from large wind storms blowing some off, then go for it. This is probably the only 3 tab shingle we would feel comfortable installing.

It also might not be a bad alternative to ridge cap because it can be cut into ridge and still carry that impact rating.

Malarkey Windsor Shingles

It is a premium grade shingle that will cost more than a traditional architectural shingle. But it has a beautiful, modern looking profile that stands out. As the rest of Malarkey shingle products, it carries scotchgard warranty (lifetime), NEX smog fighting technology, and SBS rubberized polymer.

This shingle has the highest impact rating of Class 4 like Legacy and Dura-seal, but it has a higher wind rating of 140mph.

A great shingle for homeowners willing to pay more, but getting better performance and a beautiful design.

Malarkey Alaskan Shingles

Malarkey Alaskan Shingles are a specific line of roofing products designed to offer superior protection and durability, particularly in harsh weather conditions. These shingles are manufactured by Malarkey Roofing Products, a company known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation in the roofing industry. The Alaskan Shingle line is characterized by its use of advanced materials and technology to enhance the performance and lifespan of the roofing system.

Key Features of Malarkey Alaskan Shingles:

1. Weather Resistance: Malarkey Alaskan Shingles are engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, and wind. They are well-suited for areas prone to severe weather events, providing homeowners with peace of mind during storms.

2. SBS Polymer Modified Asphalt: The shingles utilize a rubberized asphalt formula, incorporating Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymers. This modification gives the shingles enhanced flexibility, impact resistance, and durability. The SBS rubberized component helps the shingles to absorb and dissipate the energy from impacts such as hail, reducing the risk of damage.

3. Impact Resistance: These shingles often come with high impact resistance ratings, making them an excellent choice for regions that experience hail or falling debris. The resilience of the SBS-modified asphalt contributes to this property, helping to extend the life of the roof.

4. Algae Resistance: Malarkey Alaskan Shingles are treated with algae-resistant granules that help prevent the growth of algae and moss on the roof. This is particularly beneficial in damp climates where algae and moss can be a common problem, ensuring the roof maintains its aesthetic appeal over time.

5. Sustainability: Malarkey is known for its commitment to sustainability, and the Alaskan Shingles are no exception. The company incorporates recycled materials into its products and employs energy-efficient manufacturing processes. This commitment to eco-friendliness is reflected in the reduced environmental impact of their shingles.

6. Variety of Styles and Colors: The Alaskan line offers a range of styles and colors to suit different architectural designs and personal preferences. This variety allows homeowners to select shingles that not only provide excellent protection but also enhance the curb appeal of their homes.

7. Warranty: Malarkey Alaskan Shingles typically come with a comprehensive warranty, covering both material defects and workmanship errors. This warranty provides an added layer of security for homeowners, ensuring that their investment is protected.

Highlander® NEX®

Malarkey Highlander shingles are a popular line of architectural roofing materials designed for residential applications. Manufactured by Malarkey Roofing Products, a company known for its commitment to sustainability and innovation, Highlander shingles stand out for their blend of durability, performance, and aesthetic appeal.

Constructed using a unique combination of high-quality asphalt and Malarkey’s proprietary NEX polymer modified asphalt technology, Highlander shingles offer enhanced resistance to weathering, tearing, and granule loss. This technology ensures that the shingles maintain their integrity and appearance for a longer period, even under harsh environmental conditions.

One of the key features of Malarkey Highlander shingles is their Class 3 impact resistance rating, which makes them a reliable choice for areas prone to severe weather, such as hail storms. Additionally, these shingles are designed with a Zone nailing area, which provides greater installation accuracy and improved wind uplift resistance, capable of withstanding winds up to 130 miles per hour.

Aesthetically, Malarkey Highlander shingles come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing homeowners to choose the perfect match for their home’s architectural style. The dimensional profile of these shingles adds depth and character to the roof, enhancing the overall curb appeal of the property.

Malarkey Roofing Products also emphasizes sustainability in their manufacturing process. Highlander shingles include recycled materials, contributing to the reduction of landfill waste and the conservation of natural resources.

Highlander can take up to 130mph wind rating, and includes a limited lifetime warranty as well as a 10 year algae warranty.

Malarkey offers 9 color options which can be viewed on their website.

Vista® AR

This is Malarkey’s most popular shingle which is groundbreaking in its Class 3 impact rating. This shingle can take hail up to 1.5 inch and still retain its warranty. This is one of the first shingles to carry a Class 3 rating. Most impact resistant shingles are Class 4. But this shingle still offers some hail protection yet is simultaneously affordable compared to regular architectural shingles.

Like all other Malarkey shingles, it has SBS rubberized polymer, smog reducing technology, as well as copper infused granules to prevent algae growth up to 12 years.

Vista is a line of architectural laminate roofing products designed to provide superior protection and aesthetic appeal for residential homes. This advanced formulation enhances the shingles’ durability, making them more resistant to tearing and weathering compared to traditional shingles.

It carries a limited lifetime warranty as well as a 130 mph wind rating.

This would be a great shingle to install in areas with frequent hail like North Texas. Some insurance carriers will even give discounts for having this shingle.

It comes in 9 colors as well.

Legacy™

This is Malarkey’s highest performing shingle with a class 4 impact resistant rating. Malarkey was only 1 in 4 shingles to score Excellent in Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) testing of impact ratings.

It has a 130 mph shingle rating as well as limited lifetime warranty. Another great shingle to install in areas with frequent hail.

This is a premium grade shingle that will cost more than the other alternatives, but is worth the price because it protect the home longer and will qualify for insurance discounts in most cases.

Malarkey Legacy Shingles

The Legacy Shingles stand out due to their unique construction, which incorporates Malarkey’s proprietary SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) polymer modified asphalt technology. This rubberized asphalt enhances the shingle’s flexibility, impact resistance, and overall durability. The SBS modification allows the shingles to withstand extreme weather conditions, including heavy rains, hail storms, and high winds, making them an excellent choice for areas prone to severe weather.

One of the hallmark features of the Legacy Shingles is their Class 4 impact resistance rating, the highest rating available for roofing materials. This rating is achieved through rigorous testing, including the UL 2218 Class 4 impact test, where a 2-inch steel ball is dropped from a height of 20 feet onto the shingle. The Legacy Shingles’ ability to withstand this level of impact without damage is a testament to their durability and protective capability.

Additionally, Legacy Shingles are designed with a high wind resistance, capable of withstanding winds up to 110-130 miles per hour when properly installed. This is achieved through Malarkey’s advanced nail zone technology, which provides an enhanced area for nailing, ensuring the shingles are securely fastened to the roof deck.

Aesthetically, Malarkey Legacy Shingles offer a distinctive and dimensional appearance, mimicking the look of traditional cedar shakes. They come in a variety of colors, allowing homeowners to choose the perfect shade to complement their home’s exterior. The shingles also feature Scotchgard Protector by 3M, which helps prevent the growth of algae and black streaks, ensuring the roof maintains its beauty over time.

Malarkey Legacy Shingles are also environmentally friendly. They are manufactured using upcycled rubber and plastics, reducing landfill waste. Additionally, the reflective granules used in the shingles can improve energy efficiency by reflecting sunlight and reducing heat absorption, which can lead to lower cooling costs in warmer climates.

Malarkey Starter Shingles

Malarkey starter shingles are specialized roofing materials designed to be installed at the edges of roofs, particularly along the eaves and rakes, before the main shingles are laid. These starter shingles play a crucial role in the overall roofing system, offering several key benefits that enhance the durability and effectiveness of the roof.

Firstly, Malarkey starter shingles are engineered to provide a solid foundation for the first course of shingles. They are typically designed with a high-tack adhesive strip that helps to secure the bottom edge of the first row of shingles, preventing them from lifting or curling. This is especially important in high-wind areas, as it helps to resist wind uplift and reduces the risk of wind-induced damage.

Additionally, these starter shingles are made to complement the main shingles in both material composition and color, ensuring a seamless and aesthetically pleasing transition from the edge of the roof to the main surface. They often feature a similar construction to the main shingles, with durable materials that can withstand various weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, UV radiation, and moisture.

Malarkey starter shingles are also designed with water-shedding capabilities in mind. They help to direct water away from the roof edges and into the gutters, reducing the risk of water infiltration under the shingles, which can lead to roof deck damage and leaks into the interior of the building.

Malarkey EZ Ridge – High Profile Shingles

These ridge cap shingles are made from advanced materials that ensure durability and long-term performance. They are typically used to cover the ridge lines of a roof, where two roof planes meet, providing an effective barrier against water penetration and enhancing the overall weather resistance of the roofing system. The design of EZ-Ridge shingles complements the appearance of the main roofing shingles, creating a cohesive and polished look.

One of the key features of Malarkey EZ-Ridge shingles is their ease of installation. They are designed with a user-friendly approach, making them an ideal choice for both professional roofers and DIY enthusiasts. The product often comes with pre-scored lines or an easy-to-bend design that facilitates a smooth and quick installation process, reducing labor time and costs.

Malarkey EZ-Ridge shingles are also noted for their environmental benefits. Many of Malarkey’s products, including the EZ-Ridge line, incorporate recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing practices, aligning with the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. This makes them an attractive option for consumers looking for eco-friendly building materials.

In terms of performance, Malarkey EZ-Ridge shingles offer excellent wind resistance, with some products in the line designed to withstand high wind speeds. This feature is particularly important in areas prone to severe weather conditions, providing homeowners with peace of mind regarding the safety and integrity of their roofing system.

Malarkey Roof Accessories:

Secure Choice™ 5-Part Roof System:

1) ice and water barrier, 2) underlayment, 3) starter shingles, 4) roofing shingles, and 5) hip & ridge shingles.

Installed together by a certified Malarkey Installer-then the roof is eligble for extended warranties.

Malarkey offers good, better, best options for all their accessory choices. For example, they have 3 different options for underlayment. This gives the contractor the ability to pick and choose which components would work best for a specific roof system. Malarkey’s Secure Start Plus underlayment (textured) is good for high slope roofs where walkability becomes an issue and walking on it can cause tears. Yet there is yet another option called Secure Start Plus (breathable) which is great for slate or tile roof systems where mold can build up if the underlayment doesn’t have some level of breathability.

Further Related Reading 

Slate vs Asphalt Shingles: Complete Guide

Malarkey has two options for ridge camp. Ridge Flex which is standard profile, as well as EZ-Ridge which is high profile. Obviously the hi-profile options will cost more, but it gives a better look to it.

Pros:

Malarkey is a battle tested shingle that has a reputation for groundbreaking technology including the NEX smog reducing technology as well as the first shingles to be made with rubberized, plastics in a SBS polymer fiberglass mat. It is a shingle that has incredible flexibility and durability. All Malarkey products carry algae resistance, as well as lifetime warranties (except for their three tab option).

Yet what makes Malarkey shingles so fascinating is how they have class 4 impact resistant options for 3 tabs, and class 3 options for architectural. Furthermore, there are good, better, best options for all Malarkey’s components, including underlayment.

Malarkey also offers 3 tiers of contractor certifications for their products, so Malarkey is very serious about making sure the contractors are certified to install their products.

Cons:

Malarkey can be more expensive than other products and may be harder to come by during product shortages like the supply chain disruptions of Covid-19.

Malarkey’s warranties can be harder to transfer from one homeowner to another during a home sale.

They also have less brand or color options than other lager manufacturers.

Sustainability is not something that is often discussed in the roofing community, but Malarkey really does stand out in their long term vision of making the earth a cleaner more renewable ecosystem.

With the amount of roof replacements each year, there is an enormous opportunity to be able to leave a lasting impact in the environment that other manufacturers simply never endeavored to do. Learn about shingle roof replacement cost and how we can help you save money when needing a new roof

Dallas/Fort Worth shingle mountain is a great example of what happens when disposed shingles don’t break down and a massive volume wind up in landfills nearby cities causing huge environmental impacts.

So the question naturally begs to ask, “How do they hold up compared with other shingles?”

The two conflicting ideas of an easily upcycled shingle along with the longevity of that very shingle as a roofing product being exposed to wide spanning temperature/ weather fluctuations seem like polar opposites for a successful design process.

One of the main reasons Malarkey stands the test of time is their development of NEX® Polymer Modified (Rubberized) Asphalt. It is cleaner to manufacturer than oxidized asphalt while also having unique toenail strength, elasticity, tear prevention, and better granular adhesion.

SBS shingles have polymer mixed into the shingle, think rubber and plastic mixed in. This groundbreaking technology doesn’t breakdown the same way standard shingles do but can be easily upcycled back into other products instead of winding up in a landfill.

For example, car tires are made to withstand all sorts of weather contentions. Similarly, SBS polymer shingles do as well.

Traditional asphalt shingles use extreme heat during the oxidation process which results in a shingle that cracks and is brittle like an overcooked cookie.

Instead, with SBS shingles, the fiberglass core is hardened and can withstand mother nature’s test-of-time.

Thermocycling occurs when shingles expand and contract through heat, thaw and cool, freeze cycles. Tradition oxidized asphalt shingles turn brittle and crack while SBS retain their longevity.

As far as granular retention, malarkey shingles have 65% better granular retention ( according to ASTM D3462 Standards) as thermocycling occurs and the SBS asphalt holds its natural suppleness and flexibility while also gripping and re-gripping the granules through these temperature cycles.

Granules are what protects the asphalt base from UV exposure and premature deterioration. As granules come off the roof looses its ability to shed water and the asphalt looses its strength.

What’s also interesting is Malarkey shingles can be hit with wind uplift from large storms—bend not break—and actually reseal after the shingle lays back down. Malarkey has up to 30% greater tear strength than the industry standard asphalt shingle specification (ASTM D3462).

As far as hail damage, Malarkey shingles can actually bounce off large hail and disperse the impact shock better because of the SBS core. Malarkey’s Vista®, Legacy™, and Windsor® shingles are Class 3 and Class 4 rated (highest rating possible) . These shingles can even warrant premium discounts from insurance carriers.

It could be argued that all shingles should move in the direction of SBS polymer exclusion as it would reduce liabilities for carriers and homeowners alike.

Malarkey has a handful of shingle products that they offer which are all SBS polymer infused.

Conclusion:

Malarkey most closely compares to Certainteed in its premium grade quality at a higher cost. Malarkey is unique in that it has been a vanguard for new technological advancement in the industry. SBS technology should become the norm for shingles, and Malarkey has moved to make every one of their shingles with this upcycled rubberized polymer.

Malarkey has a big focus on sustainability, which can give more environmental homeowners peace of mind when installing these products.

Overall, we recommend this shingle and would install it on our own homes.