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

Malarkey Roofing Products has been making shingles in Portland, Oregon since 1956. They're not as widely known as CertainTeed or Owens Corning, but in the roofing contractor world, Malarkey has a strong reputation — especially for their polymer-modified asphalt technology and sustainability efforts.

We've installed Malarkey shingles on homes across the Twin Cities, and this review breaks down what we've seen firsthand: the good, the limitations, and whether Malarkey is the right choice for your Minnesota roof.

If you're searching for Malarkey shingles reviews before committing to a roof replacement, this guide covers every product line, real performance in cold climates, pricing, warranty details, and how Malarkey compares to the other brands we install.

The biggest thing that sets Malarkey apart is their use of polymer-modified (SBS rubberized) asphalt in their premium lines. Most standard shingles use oxidized asphalt, which becomes brittle over time — especially in climates like Minnesota where freeze-thaw cycles are constant from October through April.

SBS-modified asphalt stays flexible at low temperatures, which means better impact resistance and longer life in cold weather. This isn't marketing fluff; it's a genuine engineering advantage that we can see during installation and years later during inspections.

Malarkey is also one of the most sustainability-focused shingle manufacturers. Their NEX polymer-modified technology uses recycled rubber and plastics, and their shingles include 3M Scotchgard algae protection. They've also transitioned to using recycled materials in their production process. For homeowners who care about environmental impact alongside performance, this matters.

The Legacy is Malarkey's flagship architectural shingle and the product we install most often when customers choose the brand. It features SBS-modified asphalt on both sides of the fiberglass mat, Class 4 impact resistance (the highest rating), and a 130 MPH wind warranty. The Legacy also carries Scotchgard protection against blue-green algae staining.

In our experience installing Legacy shingles in Minnesota, they handle our climate exceptionally well. The SBS-modified asphalt stays flexible through brutal cold snaps, and we've seen fewer cracked or blown-off shingles compared to standard architectural shingles from other brands. The Class 4 impact rating is legitimate — these shingles resist hail damage better than most competitors, which can qualify you for insurance discounts of 10–30% on your homeowner's policy in Minnesota.

The Legacy's weight is noticeable during installation — these are heavier shingles than standard architectural products, which means slightly higher labor costs. The color selection is solid with about 12 options, though not as extensive as CertainTeed's Landmark line.

Pricing for Legacy shingles installed in the Twin Cities typically runs $18,000–$36,000 for a standard home, depending on roof size and complexity.

The Vista is Malarkey's mid-tier architectural shingle. It uses their NEX polymer-modified asphalt rather than the full SBS rubber modification of the Legacy, so it's a step below in cold-weather flexibility — but still meaningfully better than standard oxidized asphalt shingles. The Vista carries a Class 3 impact rating, 110 MPH wind warranty, and Scotchgard algae protection.

For budget-conscious homeowners who want better-than-basic performance, the Vista is a smart choice. 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. We recommend the Vista for homeowners who want polymer-modified performance without the premium price of the Legacy line.

In the Twin Cities, Vista installations typically run $15,000–$30,000 .

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. The Highlander is competitively priced against standard architectural shingles from Owens Corning and CertainTeed but includes the polymer modification that those competitors' base products lack.

The Highlander is a solid choice for homeowners replacing a roof on a budget. The polymer modification gives it a real edge over competitors at the same price point. However, if your budget can stretch to the Legacy, the SBS modification and Class 4 impact rating provide a meaningful upgrade in long-term durability and insurance savings.

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

Every product has drawbacks. Here are the most common complaints we hear about Malarkey, along with our honest take.

Limited contractor availability. Malarkey doesn't have the distribution network of CertainTeed or Owens Corning. Not every roofing supplier stocks their products, and not every contractor is familiar with installing them. This can limit your options if you want competitive bids from multiple contractors. In the Twin Cities, Malarkey is available through several distributors, but it's not as universally stocked as the big three brands.

Higher cost than standard shingles. The Legacy line in particular costs more than comparable products from CertainTeed and Owens Corning. The SBS modification and Class 4 impact rating justify the premium in our view — especially when you factor in potential insurance discounts — but the upfront cost is real. For a typical Twin Cities home, expect to pay $3,000–$6,000 more for Malarkey Legacy vs. CertainTeed Landmark.

The 2022 lawsuit. Malarkey settled a $2.1 million lawsuit related to alleged premature shingle failure on certain products. While the company addressed the issue and updated their manufacturing process, some homeowners remain concerned. We've covered this topic in detail in our Malarkey Roofing Lawsuit Explained article. In our experience, current Malarkey products show no signs of the issues that led to the lawsuit.

Fewer color options. Malarkey offers roughly 10–15 colors depending on the product line. CertainTeed's Landmark line offers 20+ colors and GAF's Timberline line offers similar variety. If matching a very specific color scheme matters to your project, this can be a limitation.

Malarkey vs. CertainTeed: CertainTeed Landmark is the most popular architectural shingle in Minnesota. It's widely available, comes in many colors, and performs reliably. But the standard Landmark uses oxidized asphalt — no polymer modification. Malarkey's Legacy offers better cold-weather flexibility and impact resistance. CertainTeed's Landmark PRO and Landmark TL lines close the gap somewhat with improved warranties, but they still don't match the SBS modification of Malarkey Legacy. 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 is another strong competitor in the Twin Cities market. The Duration features SureNail technology for better wind resistance and comes in a good color range. However, like CertainTeed, the standard Duration uses oxidized asphalt. Owens Corning does offer their Duration STORM impact-resistant line, which competes directly with Malarkey Legacy — but at a similar or higher price point. For a detailed comparison, see our Malarkey vs. Owens Corning comparison.

Malarkey vs. GAF: GAF Timberline is the best-selling shingle in America. It's affordable, widely available, and backed by aggressive marketing. 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. GAF's Timberline AS II is their impact-resistant option but carries a higher price that approaches Malarkey Legacy territory without the SBS modification.

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, not just greenwashing. And the insurance savings from the Class 4 rating often offset the higher upfront cost over the life of the roof.

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. If color selection is critical, CertainTeed offers more options. And if contractor availability matters, the big three brands are easier to source.

But for homeowners who want top-tier performance in cold weather and hail resistance, Malarkey Legacy is hard to beat.

Are Malarkey shingles good quality?

Yes. Malarkey's premium lines (Legacy and Vista) use polymer-modified asphalt that outperforms standard oxidized asphalt in cold-weather flexibility and impact resistance. Their manufacturing quality is consistent, and we rarely see defects during installation.

How long do Malarkey shingles last?

Malarkey Legacy shingles carry a lifetime limited warranty and typically last 30–50 years in Minnesota with proper ventilation and maintenance. The Vista and Highlander lines carry 30-year and lifetime limited warranties respectively, with expected lifespans of 25–40 years.

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. Over a 30-year roof life, the Legacy often costs less than cheaper shingles when you factor in insurance savings and fewer repairs.

What is the Malarkey roofing lawsuit about?

In 2022, Malarkey settled a $2.1 million lawsuit related to alleged premature shingle failure. The company has since updated their manufacturing processes. Current products show no signs of the issues from the lawsuit. Read our full breakdown of the Malarkey lawsuit for details.

Does Malarkey offer Class 4 impact-resistant shingles?

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

Modern Exterior Systems installs Malarkey, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, and Atlas shingles across Minnetonka, Minneapolis, and 90+ Twin Cities communities. We'll help you choose the right shingle for your home, budget, and priorities — no pressure.

Call us at 952-206-6339 or request your free estimate online.