Which Malarkey Shingle Is Right for You? Breaking Down Malarkey Shingle Styles

Who Are Malarkey Shingles a Good Fit For?

Malarkey shingles are a good fit for homeowners who prioritize long-term performance, durability, and sustainability. Their shingle lines are built with premium features and eco-friendliness in mind.

That said, they're not the ideal fit for everyone. Malarkey may be a smart choice if you live in a hail or wind-prone region, plan to stay in your home long-term, or care about your carbon footprint. On the other hand, if you're looking for the lowest upfront cost, planning to sell your home soon, or want a very specific look that isn't available in Malarkey's current color palette, another brand might be a better option.

Another factor worth considering is insurance incentives. Many providers offer premium discounts for homeowners who install shingles with at least a Class 3 impact rating, which is a threshold even Malarkey's entry-level Highlander shingles meet. These incentives vary by region and insurer, so it's worth checking with your provider to see if upgrading your roof could save you money on premiums over time.

What's the Difference Between Architectural vs. Designer Shingles?

Two terms that you'll see when looking at shingle options are architectural and designer shingles. Architectural shingles are dimensional asphalt shingles that balance cost and durability, while designer shingles are premium, luxury-grade shingles designed for maximum curb appeal and longer lifespans.

Before you dive into specific product lines, it helps to understand the core difference between architectural and designer shingles. Both can be beneficial depending on your situation and long-term goals.

Architectural Shingles

Also called dimensional or laminated shingles, architectural shingles consist of multiple layers for added thickness and depth. They're more durable than traditional 3-tab shingles (thinner, less durable, but also cheaper) and provide a dimensional look that enhances curb appeal. Most Malarkey products fall into this category, and this is the type of shingle that typically comes to mind when we think of shingles in general.

Designer shingles

Designer shingles are high-end and go beyond durability to deliver a luxury look. These shingles are larger and thicker, but more complex to install. They offer unmatched aesthetics and performance for upscale homes.

Due to their heavy-duty construction, these shingles require metal to be installed in roof valleys, as they can't be woven into the seam like architectural shingles can. This metal is referred to as W-Valley flashing, and its shape is designed to effectively channel water down the roof and away from the shingles, preventing leaks and water damage.

Here is a close-up of Malarkey's architectural shingles (Vista), sourced from their website: 

Compared to a close-up of their designer shingles (Windsor), sourced from Malarkey's website:

Should I Choose Architectural or Designer Shingles?

Architectural shingles strike a strong balance of solid durability and affordability for most homes. Designer shingles, like Malarkey's Windsor, are heavier, more detailed, and built for standout curb appeal and maximum protection, making them ideal for high-end homes or harsh climates where looks and longevity matter most.

What Are Malarkey's Shingle Options?

Malarkey offers a variety of shingle options suitable for different home styles, climates, and budgets. One factor you'll see mentioned throughout this comparison is the impact rating of each shingle. Impact rating measures how well a shingle can withstand hail or debris strikes, with Class 4 being the highest rating (and often eligible for insurance discounts in hail-prone regions).

Below is an overview of the shingles offered:

Highlander – An Economical Architectural Shingle

What Makes It Unique: Highlander is Malarkey's most budget-friendly architectural option. Even at the lower price point, Highlander shingles still use rubberized NEX asphalt for flexibility and durability. It includes smog-reducing granules and offers solid performance.

Impact Rating: Class 3

Best For: Homeowners who want a stylish architectural look without the premium cost, while still benefiting from upgraded materials and better weather resistance than traditional shingles.

Vista – The Most Popular Architectural Shingle

What Makes It Unique: Vista is a significant step up from Highlander, with added thickness, tear strength, weather resistance, and copper-infused granules to resist algae. It also uses more recycled material and is certified for FORTIFIED™ roofing programs. Homeowners should expect Vista to cost about $13–$20 more per square (100 sq. ft.) than Highlander, which can add roughly $325–$500 of material cost to a typical 25-square roof. For many, the added durability and certifications make the premium worthwhile.

Impact Rating: Class 4

Best For: Environmentally conscious homeowners who want better storm protection and long-term value without jumping to the highest price tier.

Legacy – A Premium Architectural Shingle

What Makes It Unique: Legacy offers the most protection among Malarkey's architectural shingles, with increased thickness and adhesive strength for top-tier tear and wind resistance. It also includes lifetime Scotchgard™ algae protection. On average, homeowners can expect Legacy to cost about $17–$31 more per square (100 sq. ft.) than Highlander, which adds roughly $425–$775 of material cost to a typical 25-square roof. For buyers in severe-weather regions or those prioritizing maximum durability, that premium could prove worthwhile.

Impact Rating: Class 4

Best For: Homeowners in hail-prone or severe weather regions who want to invest in a roof that provides maximum protection and long-term durability.

Windsor – The Designer Shingle

What Makes It Unique: Windsor is a heavyweight designer shingle engineered for luxury homes. It mimics the appearance of wood or stone, and it provides the highest tear strength and impact resistance of all Malarkey shingles. Its enhanced wind rating and sophisticated curb appeal make it a standout choice. Homeowners can expect Windsor to cost about $36–$51 more per square (100 sq. ft.) than Highlander, which adds roughly $900–$1,275 of material cost to a typical 25-square roof. As Malarkey’s premium designer shingle, the higher price reflects both its aesthetic appeal and top-tier performance features.

Impact Rating: Class 4

Best For: Homeowners seeking premium curb appeal, superior performance, and materials that will enhance the value and look of their home.

What's Included As Standard On All Malarkey Shingles?

No matter which shingle you choose, every Malarkey shingle is built with the same core innovations that set them apart from traditional roofing materials:

• NEX Rubberized Asphalt Technology: All Malarkey shingles are made using their advanced NEX asphalt, a rubberized compound that improves flexibility and strength. This means your shingles are less likely to crack or become brittle over time, helping your roof last longer through seasonal temperature swings.
• Made with Upcycled Rubber and Plastic: Every shingle incorporates recycled materials like rubber tires. This not only makes them tougher and more durable, but also diverts waste from landfills; it's a win for your home and for the environment.
• Smog-Reducing Granules: Malarkey shingles help clean the air. Special granules on the surface harness sunlight to reduce air pollutants, kind of like how trees absorb smog. To put it into perspective, the average Malarkey roof has roughly the same air-cleaning power as planting two trees.
• Larger Nailing Area for Better Installation: Shingles have a specific area where nails are meant ot be driven, and typically this area is thin. Misplaced roofing nails can lead to premature leaks and other performance issues. A larger nailing area makes installation easier and more accurate, ensuring long-term performance.
• Limited Lifetime Warranty & Wind Coverage: Every Malarkey shingle comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, plus protection against winds up to 110 mph, providing peace of mind for years to come.

Below, we've added a diagram straight from Malarkey's website illustrating what goes into the construction of their asphalt shingles:

How Do Malarkey Shingles Perform in Extreme Weather?

When your home is regularly exposed to high winds, hail, heavy rain, or humidity, choosing the right roofing shingles can make a major difference in long-term protection. Malarkey shingles are engineered for performance under pressure, with each product tier offering specific advantages in different regional challenges. Here's how the Malarkey lineup performs in various weather conditions:

Hail or Tornado-Prone Areas: Both the Legacy and Vista shingles carry a Class 4 impact rating, the highest rating available for asphalt shingles. This means they are tested to withstand the impact of 2-inch steel balls dropped from 20 feet, simulating large hail or other environmental hazards.

Legacy shingles feature added thickness and a stronger adhesive bond, making them particularly well-suited for high-stress environments like the central U.S., where hail, high winds, and sudden temperature shifts are common.

Vista offers excellent impact protection but at a slightly lower price point, making it ideal for homeowners who want the Class 4 benefits without the premium tier cost.

Coastal or High-Wind Zones: Malarkey's Windsor designer shingle is engineered with superior wind resistance rated up to 140 mph, which exceeds the standard 110 mph rating found in most architectural shingles. This makes it an excellent choice for coastal areas, open plains, or hurricane-prone zones where powerful wind gusts and flying debris are a real threat. These shingles still maintain a Class 4 impact rating, offering dual protection for homes exposed to both wind and hail.

Rainy, Humid, or Moss-Prone Climates: Malarkey shingles include advanced algae-resistant technology. Copper-infused granules help prevent unsightly black streaks, moss growth, and roof staining. This is especially beneficial in shaded or humid environments or heavily wooded properties.

Legacy and Windsor shingles enhance this further with Scotchgard Protection, providing one of the longest-lasting anti-algae defenses on the market.

Vista also performs well in these environments thanks to its high-quality granule blend and excellent surface water-shedding design.

Budget-Conscious Storm Protection: Although it's Malarkey's most economical option, Highlander still offers a Class 3 impact rating, tested to withstand the impact of a 1.75-inch steel ball dropped from 17 feet. These shingles offer the same NEX rubberized asphalt as the higher-tier models, helping resist cracking and granule loss over time. Highlander is ideal for homeowners in regions with occasional severe weather, or those upgrading from traditional 3-tab shingles who want better protection without breaking the bank.

What This Means for Naperville Homeowners

In Naperville, the biggest weather concerns aren't as severe as coastal hurricanes, but we do see a lot of unpredictable Midwestern storms. Heavy spring and summer thunderstorms often bring strong winds, driving rain, and occasional hail, along with some tornado activity. That's why shingles with enhanced wind resistance and stronger adhesive bonds, like Vista (or Legacy for those wanting an extra layer of protection), are especially valuable here.

Hail is also a possibility, but the storms that bring large hail often occur only once or twice a year. While Class 4 shingles (Vista, Legacy, Windsor) provide maximum impact protection, many homeowners around the Naperville area find that even Highlander's Class 3 impact rating is adequate for peace of mind impact protection against the occasional large hailstorm.

High humidity and shade from mature trees are also common in our area. This makes the algae resistance built into all Malarkey shingles a valuable benefit for keeping roofs clean and streak-free.

How to Choose the Right Malarkey Shingle for Your Roof

There's more to picking the right shingle than looks or price. Understanding how each option affects the installation process, long-term performance, and overall project cost. Whether you're working with a contractor or making decisions yourself, being aware of what goes into installing different shingle types can help you make a more confident, well-rounded choice. Here are a few key factors to keep in mind as you narrow down your options:

Weight Differences: Designer shingles like Windsor are significantly heavier and may require structural evaluation before installation. While architectural shingles typically weigh around 200-300 pounds per square (100 square feet), designer shingles can weigh anywhere from 340-480 pounds per square. For most modern homes, this extra weight isn't an issue, but on older houses or roofs with existing structural concerns, a contractor may recommend reinforcement or advise against installing the heaviest shingles altogether. If you're considering Windsor or another designer option, it's best to have your roofer evaluate whether your roof structure can comfortably support the added load before moving forward.

Labor Time & Cost: Because designer shingles are heavier and require additional techniques (like metal W-valleys instead of woven valleys), labor can take longer and cost more. This means that in addition to higher material costs, installation can add a noticeable premium to your project. If you're working with a tight budget or timeline, you may find architectural shingles a more practical fit since they deliver strong performance with lower labor costs and timeframes.

Climate & Location Suitability: Your local climate should play a major role in shingle selection.

• If you live in a hail or tornado-prone area, shingles with Class 4 impact resistance (like Vista or Legacy) are ideal.
• For coastal or hurricane zones, choose options with higher wind ratings, such as Windsor, rated up to 140 mph.
• In humid or shaded climates, shingles with algae-resistant technology and Scotchgard protection (like Legacy and Windsor) will help maintain curb appeal and performance.

Highlander vs. Vista vs. Legacy & Windsor: Which is Right For You?

Your choice of shingles should align not only with what you can afford today, but also with how long you plan to stay in your home and the value you want to preserve or build over time. Here's how Malarkey's options compare across the budget spectrum:

Highlander: As the most affordable option in Malarkey's lineup, Highlander delivers excellent performance at a competitive price. It includes features like rubberized asphalt, smog-reducing granules, and a Class 3 impact rating, all of which outperform many other shingles in its price tier. It's a great fit for homeowners looking to balance cost with above-average durability.

Vista: Vista offers one of the best cost-to-performance ratios in the industry, and it shows in its popularity. Often just a few hundred dollars more per roofing project than Highlander, it offers Class 4 impact resistance, stronger tear strength, and enhanced algae resistance. Vista is ideal for those who want longer-lasting protection and added value without the leap into the premium pricing tier.

Legacy & Windsor: These top-tier shingles are built for homeowners planning to stay in their homes long-term or looking to maximize resale value and curb appeal. Both offer the potential for reduced maintenance, stronger warranties, and possible insurance savings over time, making them a smart investment for the right situation.

Here's a side-by-side comparison of Malarkey's shingles to help you weigh your options at a glance:

*All tiers include a limited lifetime shingle warranty

How to Make a Confident Roof Replacement Decision

Your roof is one of the most important investments you'll make for your home. Whether you're leaning toward an economical upgrade or premium durability, Malarkey offers options that combine cutting-edge performance, sustainability, and style at every level.

Although it's an important factor, choosing the right shingle is just one piece of the puzzle. A quality roof replacement relies on more than just shingles. For homeowners who want to get the most out of their investment, it's worth understanding how the complete Malarkey roofing system works together to boost performance, extend warranty coverage, and reduce your risk of future roof issues.

Before you invest, discover why more and more homeowners are entrusting Malarkey for long-lasting protection and peace of mind in our article: "Is A Malarkey Roofing System Really Worth Paying More For?" This honest, in-depth guide breaks down the long-term benefits and limitations of a Malarkey roofing system, helping you determine if it's the right fit for your home or if another option may serve you better.

Already leaning towards a specific Malarkey shingle? Our instant estimator will walk you through a few quick questions and calculate a ballpark price based on your preferred Malarkey shingle.