Malarkey Roofing Products has been a trusted name in the roofing industry for decades. With a reputation for producing cleaner and more weatherproof shingles, they have become a popular choice for homeowners, contractors, and local associations. But is this brand genuinely different, or is it just another manufacturer that has created buzz?
As a roofing professional at Excel Renovation, I’ve been working with Malarkey for some years now and have developed a liking for their residential roofing products. Whether you’re a homeowner or a professional, I’m here to help you understand whether this brand stands up to the hype.
So let’s dig deeper and explore the performance, durability, and warranties provided by Malarkey shingles to discover the truth.
A Brief History of Malarkey Roofing Products
Established in 1956 by Herbert Malarkey, the brand has grown into a leading residential and commercial roofing shingle manufacturer. They pioneered the fiberglass mat in 3-tab asphalt shingles and many more forms of technology over the years. Today, Malarkey Roofing Products is known for its innovative rubberized shingles, which is also a first-of-its-kind invention, and the company is continually striving to improve its products using sustainable practices while staying ahead of the competition.
Now let’s analyze what makes Malarkey a renowned premium roofing manufacturer.
Why is Malarkey Trending in 2023?
Malarkey has been in the limelight for many years and is still one of the top roofing manufacturers due to its innovative, sustainable, and high-performing roofing products. From advanced asphalt shingles to tile underlayment and 50-year warranties, Malarkey is a favorite brand of thousands of homeowners and contractors in the United States.
Here’s a detailed description of their manufacturing details, roofing products, and brand benefits:
#1 Malarkey’s Sustainable Manufacturing Practices
Malarkey is committed to producing innovative eco-friendly shingles that protect homes and have a minimal environmental impact. They have incorporated various green initiatives into their manufacturing processes and final products.
- For each roof, Malarkey utilizes five upcycled rubber tires and 3.3K upcycled plastic bags from landfills.
- This commitment to sustainability has earned the brand a GreenCircle® certification for recycled product content and landfill waste diversion.
- Today, clean air is rare in urban areas. To address this issue, Malarkey incorporates the industry’s first smog-reducing granules in their shingles that help clean the air around them as trees do.
These efforts and certifications set Malarkey apart from many other roofing manufacturers.
#2 Features and Technology Used in Malarkey Shingles
Malarkey Roofing Products has invented extraordinary NEX® Polymer Modified asphalt shingles and rubberized shingle adhesive. Apart from their technological inventions, they also utilize world-class technologies developed by 3M. Let’s explore these technologies in detail:
Largest Nailing Area
Malarkey uses their patented nailing area called The Zone®, which provides one of the largest nailing surface areas in the industry. Such a wide nailing area incorporates ease and accuracy in installation.
Strength
The 3M granules in Malarkey shingles have natural raw minerals with excellent strength and colored ceramic coatings for long-lasting vibrancy and retention of shingle color. The granules also have adhesion promoters and UV coating for a foolproof granule performance.
Air-Cleansing
The smog-reduced granules I’ve mentioned earlier are also invented by 3M. These granules have been featured in TIME Magazine’s Top 50 Inventions of 2018.
Algae Protection
Algae tend to leave black stains on standard shingles. The persistent presence of moisture also leads to the growth of moss and blue-green algae. These marks not only affect the roof’s appearance but also the shingles’ longevity.
The 3M granules in Malarkey shingles help combat these issues since the granules are covered with a layer of copper. This natural metal helps inhibit the development and growth of algae and prevents dark water stains.
With such high-quality technology involving rubber modification and world-class inventions from 3M, Malarkey stands out from its competitors.
#3 Performance of Malarkey Shingles
Malarkey roofing shingles are designed to offer superior performance and durability compared to many other brands on the market. Their shingles are known for their robust construction, high weather protection, and excellent granule adhesion.
Impact Resistance
Standard shingles stretch or become dry due to temperature changes, leading to cracking and buckling. But Malarkey’s NEX® Polymer Modified Asphalt behaves like hardened rubber, preventing these issues while remaining flexible enough to offer better protection from hailstones and pests.
Malarkey’s Vista®, Legacy®, and Windsor® shingles have a Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating in the industry for shingle impact resistance. These shingles can withstand impacts from huge hailstones of up to 2 inches!
Wind Resistance
One of the standout features of Malarkey shingles is their high wind resistance. Malarkey shingles are designed to withstand winds up to 130 mph, 30% higher than the industry standard. This impressive wind resistance can be attributed to their advanced nailing zone and robust construction, which helps the shingles stay in place during seasonal windstorms.
UV Protection
Shingle granules offer protection against UV rays, hail, and impact damage. Granule loss is a common issue with many roofing shingles, as it can lead to reduced protection against the elements and a shorter lifespan for the roof. Standard shingles that develop cracks over time start losing these granules.
Fortunately, Malarkey’s roofing shingles have approximately 65% greater granule adhesion than the industry standard. This feature not only ensures that the shingles maintain their protective qualities, but also reduces the risk of slippery conditions on the roof during installation.
These outstanding performance statistics are among the highest in the market, beating many other leading manufacturers of asphalt shingles.
#4 Malarkey’s Premium Ice and Water Barrier for Asphalt and Metal Roofs
An ice and water barrier is installed under the shingle underlayment to protect and waterproof susceptible areas like roof edges, valleys, and roof-to-wall connections. Malarkey Secure Start® HT is a premium ice and water barrier and metal underlayment for complex roof deck covering.
This self-adhering sheet has five layers and performs much better than the outdated felt paper. Its factory-applied split-release film makes the application much smoother and more accurate. Here are some more features of this premium roofing product:
- Class A fire rating
- High-temperature rating for metal roofs
- Scratch protection for metal roofs
- Mold and algae resistant
- Industry’s highest rating for uplift resistance during windstorms
#5 Malarkey Right Start® UDL Underlayment for Tile Roofs
Malarkey’s Right Start roofing underlayment is among their highest-performing products. This mechanically fastened underlayment is fortified with rubber and fiberglass for enhanced performance and durability. It’s a perfect underlayment for tile roofs, as its 55 mil thickness and modified composition bear the extra load of concrete and clay tile roofs better than most roofing underlayments.
#6 Warranties and Customer Support
Malarkey Roofing Products is a company that takes pride in offering comprehensive warranties and exceptional customer support for its roofing products. They provide a range of warranty options, including limited lifetime warranties for shingles and other products. This gives peace of mind to the buyers and contractors, knowing that their investment in Malarkey Roofing Products is protected.
- Algae protection warranty for 10 to 15 years
- Shingles warranties for 25, 40, and 50 years
- Non-pro-rated shingle warranties up to 7, 10, 15, and 20 years
- Wind warranty of 15 years
#7 Malarkey’s Contractor Certification Program
Malarkey Roofing Products bestows a Certified Residential Contractor badge upon all residential roofing contractors who have attained certification through rigorous training and tests. Malarkey’s Emerald Pro and Premium certified contractor badges are granted to contractors that meet the requirements necessary to provide the Emerald Pro and Premium warranties. These certifications reassure homeowners that they are eligible for solid roof protection spanning decades, and their roof is getting installed by some of the best roofing professionals in the industry.
Contractor and Homeowner Feedback
Malarkey is a brand with an incredibly high number of positive feedback from both contractors and homeowners. Contractors appreciate the ease of installation, excellent performance, and durability of Malarkey shingles, while homeowners are often impressed by their attractive appearance, weather resistance, and long-lasting warranty protection.
The brand’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly manufacturing practices has also earned them praise from environmentally conscious customers and even the state and nation, further cementing their reputation as a reliable and responsible roofing manufacturer.
Let’s take a look at some of their testimonials:
The Verdict: Is Malarkey Roofing Products Worth the Hype?
Based on their history, performance, and features, it’s clear that Malarkey Roofing Products are more than just hype. The technologies, certifications, awards, and reviews I’ve provided in this guide support this statement.
If you’re considering a new roof for your home or want to replace your old cedar shake roof with asphalt shingles, Malarkey shingles should definitely be on your list of options. As a Malarkey-certified roofing expert, I recommend exploring their top shingle lines: Ecoasis®, Vista®, and Dura-Seal® AR.
Best Malarkey Shingles for Every Budget and Style Preference
At Excel Renovation, we work with many different types of Malarkey shingles and have installed countless Malarkey roofs, but I personally recommend these three shingles for their unique features and benefits.
#1 Ecoasis Architectural Shingles: Malarkey’s Solar Reflective Shingles
Malarkey’s Ecoasis shingles are their most popular solar reflective shingles, with a special coating that comes in six color options that’ll help to reflect heat away from your roof. The shingles can reduce your home’s energy costs by up to 15%. Plus, they are low-maintenance, requiring no resurfacing or painting for as long as your roof lasts. Ecoasis shingles also have a limited lifetime warranty, protecting you against materials and workmanship defects.
#2 Vista Architectural Shingles: Malarkey’s Most Popular Shingle Line
Malarkey’s Vista shingles stand out as the only mid-range shingles to achieve a rare rating of Excellent or Good in all performance categories evaluated in the recent Hail Impact Study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). These remarkable shingles boast a Class 4 impact rating and adhere to IBHS’s rigorous FORTIFIED™ roof requirements.
#3 Dura-Seal AR 3-Tab Shingles: Malarkey’s Most Traditional Shingles
Malarkey’s Dura-Seal AR shingles display the essence of traditional roofing shingles blended with advanced technologies. These are the first 3-tab shingles with rubberized asphalt formulation and a Class 4 impact rating. With the advanced Dura-Seal® technology, these shingles provide superior protection against the elements, including wind, rain, and UV rays. Dura Seal shingles also look incredibly beautiful, which may not be the case with most older 3-tab shingle styles on the market.
I hope this guide was a helpful resource and helped you select the perfect shingles for your home. If you want to learn more about Malarkey or any other roofing product manufacturer, the team at Excel Renovation is here to provide you with all the relevant information.
Free Consultations and Estimates for Minnesota Homeowners
At Excel Renovation, we’ve been working with premium roofing manufacturers like Malarkey, CertainTeed, and F-Wave. We’ve been helping homeowners get incredibly safe and stunning roofs for many years in Minnesota. Our team understands that as a homeowner, you must explore all your options carefully before making any purchase or signing any contract. Excel Renovation is proud to be a Malarkey Emerald Pro certified contractor, and we’re here to guide you simply and transparently, considering all your needs and preferences. So if you need help selecting or installing Malarkey roofing shingles in Plymouth, or surrounding areas, we’ll be happy to offer you a free consultation and estimate.
