Malarkey shingles are known for their premium quality and exceptional durability. Most contractors who install Malarkey shingles like them for their outstanding quality and impact resistance. They withstand windblown debris, falling branches, and hail (up to 2 inches) in circumstances when most cheaper shingles would crack. Here is what most home inspectors like about Malarkey shingles.

1. Malarkey Class 3 shingles (3-tab) get their rating by sustaining two hits from a 1.75-inch steel ball hitting the same spot twice from a distance of 16 inches. Class 4 (Windsor and legacy shingle lines) earn their rating by being hit twice by 2-inch steel dropped from 20 inches.

Do you Know? Malarkey Class 3 and 4 shingles have good hail impact ratings, but they do not come with any hail impact damage warranty coverage. This is typical of most asphalt shingles manufacturers. Roof damage from hail and wind is often covered by homeowners insurance if you elect roof replacement coverage in the insurance policy you choose. If you want a roof that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty coverage for hail damage, choose a stone-coated roof.

2. Stain-resistant options: Malarkey manufactures three main shingle lines that have stain resisting abilities. The shingles are coated with copper-coated granules that kill algae and remove staining. The shingles come with a manufacturer’s warranty that covers staining by algae. 

The shingles are Highlander® NEX® AR  that comes with a ten-year warranty, 3-tab Dura-Seal™ AR that comes with a 5-year stain warranty, and Vista® AR covered for ten years. The shingles also come with Scotchgard™ coating, which the homeowner can upgrade to. The Scotchgard™ coating shingles are warrantied for 20 years to resist staining.

Expert Opinion: if you are moving to a new neighborhood, look at the roofs in the area, and check out the presence of dark, flowing spots on roofs that indicates algae infestation. Look for shingles like Malarkey, which have good algae resistance qualities. AR on shingles’ name suggests that they are algae resistant.

3. Premium Durability.

Malarkey makes shingles that do not crack in very low temperatures and when impacted or tear in extreme winds. Many inspections on roofs after strong winds and damaging hail demonstrates the durability of malarkey shingles. Malarkey uses a polymer that is referred to as NEX® on some of its lines.

Malarkey covers its products with some of the best warranties in the market. Except for the 3-tab series, Malarkey backs the rest of its shingles with lifetime warranties if the house you live in is your primary residence or for 35 to 50 years if it is not where you live.

Professional Roofers View 

Professional roofers like the following qualities about Malarkey Shingles.

1. The Malarkey Secure Choice™ Roof System

This is a favorite product amongst roofers that offers them an opportunity to put up the roof from the deck up with products from one company. This Malarkey roofing product from the company allows roofers to put up a roof with products made to work together as one.

The Secure Choice™ System is available in various options, as seen in the following brochure (PDF).   

2. Starter shingles

Generic Smart Start™ (1) is a starter shingle for use with any asphalt shingle brand. It comes with a heavy-duty sealant that provides better adherence for protection in wind-driven rain and high winds.

Matched starter shingles come in 6 lines and are available in all Malarkey shingle series so that you get the best style and color integration.

3. Underlayment Choices

When roofers have options so that they can tailor what they install to the specific application.

Right Start™ UDL (2) is a fiberglass underlayment (PDF) for steep slope roofing applications that is an excellent all-purpose material for areas that experience extreme weather.

Arctic Seal™ (3) is an underlayment that is enhanced and designed for roofs prone to dams and ice buildup. It comes 10X heavier than Secure Start™ to bolster leak resistance and strength. Roofers choose this option in roof valleys and low-slope roofs.  

1031 Secure Start™ Plus (4) is a synthetic underlayment that withstands freezing temperatures (of up to -40F) and very high (Up to 240F) very well.

4. Hip and Ridge Shingles (5)

Malarkey makes the following hip and ridge shingles,

RidgeFlex™ is ideal for 3-tab shingles and has a lower profile, EZ-Ridge™ XT 10″ and EZ-Ridge™ 8″, which comes in a higher shape and perfect for use with Malarkey Designer and architectural lines.  

Expert Tip: When you use two or more Malarkey Roofing products, you qualify for the Malarkey’s Lifetime limited warranty.

Roofers recommend the above that offers a lifetime warranty appealing because it gives them the confidence to install a roof they believe will last. The company, not the roofer, will be responsible should the roof fail.

GAF offers a better warranty than Malarkey when you use their roofing system. The advantage Malarkey has over GAF is that it will not allow you to choose products that will be the best fit for each home.

5. Malarkey Roofing Contractor Certification

Malarkey has a contractor certification program for roofers who install their products. To earn the certification from Malarkey, the contractor must have experience and undergo training. There are four levels of accreditation, namely,

• Certified Residential Contractor
• Emerald Pro Contractor
• Emerald Premium Contractor

Expert Opinion: Malarkey values its certified contractors. Though they may charge more than non-certified contractors, they are worth hiring because they honor warranty claims if a certified contractor installed the roof.

If you choose to use a non-certified contractor, go for one who has 10+ years of experience since companies that do shoddy jobs up end up going out of business in 5 years. Also, check out the company’s online reviews, make sure they have worker’s compensation, umbrella insurance, and fair costs.