Malarkey Shingles Review: Quality, Warranty & What Contractors Think (2026)

What Actually Makes Malarkey Different

The real differentiator is one thing: SBS-modified asphalt. Most shingles use oxidized asphalt, which hardens and becomes brittle over time. SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) is a rubber polymer mixed into the asphalt that keeps it flexible. Picture the difference between a dried-out rubber band and a fresh one. That's what's happening inside the shingle at a molecular level.

In Minnesota, this matters more than almost anywhere else in the country. Our freeze-thaw cycles — you know what I mean if you live here, we can swing 50 degrees in 24 hours during March — punish rigid materials. Oxidized asphalt shingles crack and split at the granule line. SBS-modified shingles flex with the temperature swings instead of fighting them.



I'm not being dramatic here. I can see the difference during tear-offs. When I'm pulling off 15-year-old Malarkey Legacy shingles, they're still pliable. They bend before they break. Standard architectural shingles at the same age? They snap like crackers. That tells me everything I need to know about long-term performance.

Malarkey is also doing more than most on sustainability — their NEX polymer modification uses recycled rubber and plastics, and all their shingles include 3M Scotchgard algae protection. I don't sell shingles on their environmental story, but it's there if it matters to you.

Malarkey Legacy: The One I Install Most

The Legacy is Malarkey's flagship, and it's the product I recommend when homeowners want the best protection against Minnesota weather. Full SBS modification on both sides of the fiberglass mat. Class 4 impact rating — that's the highest available under UL 2218 testing. 130 MPH wind warranty.

The Class 4 rating is the part that pays for itself. Most Minnesota insurance companies offer a 10 to 30 percent discount on your homeowner's premium when you install a Class 4 shingle. I've seen homeowners save $800 to $1,500 per year on insurance. Over 10 years, that's $8,000 to $15,000 in savings — on a shingle that also happens to outperform everything else in cold weather.

Pricing for Legacy shingles installed in the Twin Cities typically runs $18,000–$36,000 for a standard home.

Malarkey Vista Shingles Review

The Vista is Malarkey's mid-tier architectural shingle. It uses their NEX polymer-modified asphalt rather than the full SBS rubber modification. The Vista carries a Class 3 impact rating, 110 MPH wind warranty, and Scotchgard algae protection.

 Malarkey Vista is one of the best buys in shingles today. It costs roughly 15–20% less than the Legacy while still delivering improved cold-weather performance over standard shingles. In the Twin Cities, Vista installations typically run $15,000–$30,000 .

Malarkey Highlander NEX Shingles Review

The Highlander NEX is Malarkey's entry-level architectural shingle. It uses NEX polymer-modified asphalt and carries a Class 3 impact rating with a 110 MPH wind warranty. It's competitively priced against standard architectural shingles but includes the polymer modification that competitors' base products lack.

Highlander installations typically run $13,000–$26,000 in the Twin Cities.

Common Malarkey Shingles Complaints

Limited contractor availability. Malarkey doesn't have the distribution network of CertainTeed or Owens Corning. In the Twin Cities, Malarkey is available through several distributors, but it's not as universally stocked.

Higher cost than standard shingles. The Legacy line costs more than comparable products from CertainTeed and Owens Corning. Expect to pay $3,000–$6,000 more for Malarkey Legacy vs. CertainTeed Landmark.

The lawsuit. In 2022, Malarkey paid a $2.1 million settlement — but here's what the clickbait articles leave out: it was related to air quality violations at their manufacturing facility, not problems with the shingles themselves. The factory wasn't meeting emissions standards. That's a serious issue for the workers and community, but it has nothing to do with the product on your roof. The shingles coming off Malarkey's line today are the same quality they've always been. I wouldn't keep installing them if I thought otherwise.

Fewer color options. Malarkey offers roughly 10–15 colors depending on the product line. CertainTeed's Landmark line offers 20+ colors.

Malarkey vs. CertainTeed, Owens Corning, and GAF

Malarkey vs. CertainTeed: CertainTeed Landmark is the most popular architectural shingle in Minnesota. But the standard Landmark uses oxidized asphalt — no polymer modification. Malarkey's Legacy offers better cold-weather flexibility and impact resistance. We install both brands and recommend CertainTeed for most standard projects and Malarkey Legacy when impact resistance and cold-weather performance are priorities.

Malarkey vs. Owens Corning: Owens Corning Duration features SureNail technology for better wind resistance. However, the standard Duration uses oxidized asphalt. OC does offer their Duration STORM impact-resistant line, which competes directly with Malarkey Legacy.

Malarkey vs. GAF: GAF Timberline is the best-selling shingle in America. Malarkey builds a better shingle at the premium level — the Legacy's SBS modification, Class 4 impact rating, and overall construction quality exceed what GAF offers in their standard Timberline HDZ.

Our Bottom Line on Malarkey Shingles

Malarkey builds excellent shingles, particularly at the premium level. The Legacy's SBS-modified asphalt and Class 4 impact rating make it one of the best-performing architectural shingles available for Minnesota's climate. The sustainability focus is a real differentiator, and the insurance savings from the Class 4 rating often offset the higher upfront cost.

That said, Malarkey isn't for every project. If you're on a tight budget, a CertainTeed Landmark or Owens Corning Duration will serve you well at a lower price. But for homeowners who want top-tier performance in cold weather and hail resistance, Malarkey Legacy is hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Malarkey Shingles

Are Malarkey shingles good quality?

Yes. Malarkey's premium lines use polymer-modified asphalt that outperforms standard oxidized asphalt in cold-weather flexibility and impact resistance.

How long do Malarkey shingles last?

Malarkey Legacy shingles typically last 30–50 years in Minnesota with proper ventilation and maintenance.

Are Malarkey shingles worth the extra cost?

For the Legacy line, yes — especially in Minnesota. The SBS modification improves cold-weather performance, the Class 4 impact rating reduces hail damage risk, and the potential 10–30% insurance discount helps offset the premium.

What is the Malarkey roofing lawsuit about?

In 2022, Malarkey paid a $2.1 million settlement related to air quality violations at their manufacturing facility — specifically, the factory wasn't meeting emissions standards. This was an environmental compliance issue with the plant, not a product quality issue with the shingles. The products coming off the line were unaffected, and current Malarkey shingles show no signs of any quality problems.

Does Malarkey offer Class 4 impact-resistant shingles?

Yes. The Malarkey Legacy carries a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating — the highest available. This can qualify homeowners for significant insurance premium discounts in Minnesota, typically 10–30%.