Malarkey Roofing Shingles for Northern Illinois

Product lines

Malarkey Highlander, Vista, Legacy and Windsor side by side

• Highlander: the everyday architectural shingle, rated Class 3 for impact.
• Vista: a polymer-modified (rubberized) asphalt shingle rated Class 4, and the natural comparison with other brands’ impact lines. It uses 3M smog-reducing granules, and the AR version adds copper granules for algae.
• Legacy: also a polymer-modified (rubberized) asphalt shingle with a Class 4 rating, sold as Legacy Scotchgard with 3M Scotchgard Protector against algae.
• Windsor: the designer, high-dimension profile, also Class 4 and Scotchgard-protected, for homes where the roof is a large part of the street view.

The current impact classes for Highlander and Vista apply to installs from January 1, 2023. If your Malarkey roof went on before then, check the paperwork from that job rather than assuming today’s rating.

Why every Malarkey shingle uses rubberized asphalt

Asphalt is what holds a shingle together, and plain oxidized asphalt gets brittle with age and cold. Malarkey modifies it with polymers: a mix of virgin rubber polymers plus recycled rubber and plastic. The rubberized core gives the shingle more give when a hailstone or a dropped tool hits it.

The recycled content is part of the pitch, but on a Chicago-area roof the practical point is flexibility. A more elastic shingle is less likely to crack on a frigid install day and tends to dent under an impact rather than fracture. Even the entry-level Highlander carries a Class 3 impact rating.

How Malarkey shingles cope with Illinois hail, cold snaps and shade

Hail. On streets with a history of hail claims, an insurer may ask about impact class at renewal. Because Vista, Legacy and Windsor are all rated Class 4, the choice between them can come down to color, profile and algae protection.

Cold snaps. Rubberized asphalt stays more pliable in the cold than standard asphalt, which helps on late-season tear-offs. Sealant strips still need warmth to bond, so winter installs may need hand-sealing.

Shade. Black streaks are mostly blue-green algae, and they thrive on north slopes under mature trees. Malarkey’s copper-granule protection targets that organism specifically. Moss and lichen are a different problem, solved by trimming and sunlight rather than shingle choice. Our roof inspection notes which of these is on your roof.

Counting accessories on a Malarkey quote

A Malarkey bid should name the shingle line and color, then list the accessories by product, because the warranty level depends on how many Malarkey accessories are part of the system. Count them: three or more for Certified Pro, four or more for Certified Premium. Starter, hip and ridge, underlayment, ice and water barrier and ventilation are the usual candidates.

Then ask which warranty will be registered, and whether that contractor holds the Malarkey certification level the warranty requires. Finally, check what happens at the eaves and valleys. That is where Illinois roofs leak in winter, whatever the shingle. Our roof replacement quotes break these items out line by line, and the impact-resistant shingles page compares Malarkey’s Class 4 lines with other brands.

How Malarkey warranties are structured

Malarkey shingles carry a standard limited warranty against manufacturing defects, with wind and algae terms written separately. The algae coverage applies only to blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa magma), not moss, lichen or mildew. Two enhanced warranties, Certified Pro and Certified Premium, are available through contractors the manufacturer has certified at those levels. Certified Pro requires a complete Malarkey Secure Choice roof system with at least three Malarkey accessory products and adds enhanced wind coverage. Certified Premium requires at least four accessories and adds coverage for installation workmanship. The installing contractor registers both. Read current terms at malarkeyroofing.com.

ALTA installs Malarkey products. We do not currently hold a Malarkey manufacturer credential, so enhanced warranties that require one are not offered on our installations; your estimate names the warranty that applies.

Where Malarkey fits best

• Homeowners who want rubberized asphalt at every price point, not only in the top line
• Hail-exposed roofs where a Class 4 rating is wanted in an architectural or designer style
• Shaded lots where algae protection from copper granules is worth paying for

Product information last reviewed November 5, 2026. Always confirm current specifications and warranty terms at malarkeyroofing.com.

Malarkey questions

Are all Malarkey shingles impact-resistant?

All of them are made with polymer-modified (rubberized) asphalt, but the ratings differ. Highlander is rated Class 3 under UL 2218, while Vista, Legacy and Windsor are rated Class 4, the top class. If your insurer asks for Class 4, choose one of those three.

What is the difference between Malarkey Vista and Legacy?

Both are polymer-modified (rubberized) asphalt shingles rated UL 2218 Class 4, so the difference is mostly granules and look. Vista uses 3M smog-reducing granules, and Vista AR adds copper granules for algae resistance. Legacy is sold as Legacy Scotchgard, with 3M Scotchgard Protector against algae. Compare the colors and the algae terms for each before you choose.

Does Malarkey’s algae warranty cover moss on my roof?

No. Malarkey’s algae coverage applies only to blue-green algae, the cause of black streaks, and expressly excludes moss, lichen, mold and mildew. Moss is better handled by trimming overhanging branches and keeping debris off the roof.