Malarkey Vista and Highlander Shingles

Introduction to Malarkey Shingles  

At The Kingdom Builders, we’re excited to offer Malarkey Vista and Highlander shingles, known for their durability and performance. These architectural shingles are designed to withstand extreme weather, making them a top choice for homeowners seeking reliability.

Why They Stand Out  

Malarkey shingles use NEX Rubberized Asphalt, a technology that combines asphalt with rubber and plastic polymers for added strength and flexibility. This results in features like up to 50% more adhesive bonds and twice the rain seals compared to standard shingles, ensuring better protection against leaks and wind damage. Vista shingles have a Class 4 impact rating—the highest possible—ideal for hail-prone areas, while Highlander offers a solid Class 3 rating. Both also come in algae-resistant versions, maintaining roof appearance over time, and use recycled materials, contributing to sustainability by reducing landfill waste and including smog-reducing granules.

The Kingdom Builders’ Confidence  

Our confidence stems from training with Malarkey sales representatives, giving us deep insight into their benefits, and reviewing shingle testing by 3rd parties, which demonstrated their superior performance in real-world conditions. This aligns with our commitment to providing the best roof systems, ensuring customers get durable, long-lasting solutions.

Value for Customers  

These shingles not only enhance curb appeal with various color options but also offer potential insurance discounts due to high impact ratings. At a similar price of other manufactures (if not cheaper, especially for class 4 shingles) per shingle, they provide premium features at a great value, making them an environmentally friendly and cost-effective choice.

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Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Malarkey Vista and Highlander Shingles  

This note provides an in-depth examination of Malarkey Vista and Highlander shingles, exploring their features, performance, and why The Kingdom Builders is confident in their market position. The analysis is based on extensive research into product specifications, customer reviews, and pricing comparisons, ensuring a comprehensive understanding for potential customers and industry stakeholders.

Product Overview and Specifications  

Malarkey Roofing Products, a family-owned company founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1956, is known for its innovative approach to roofing materials. The Vista and Highlander shingles fall under their architectural shingle category, which is popular for its dual-layer construction, offering enhanced weight and strength to withstand extreme weather while improving curb appeal.

• Malarkey Vista Shingles: Introduced in 2013, Vista shingles are noted for their Class 4 impact rating, the highest possible, as certified by Underwriting Laboratories since January 2023 (previously Class 3). They are made with NEX Rubberized Asphalt, a proprietary blend that includes high-grade asphalt combined with virgin and recycled rubber and plastic polymers. This technology enhances flexibility, granule adhesion, and impact resistance, with features like up to 50% more adhesive bonds, twice the rain seals, and a 2X larger nailing area compared to standard shingles. Vista AR (algae-resistant) versions include granules that reduce algae streaks and help clean the air of emission pollutants, meeting the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s (IBHS) FORTIFIED™ roof requirements.
• Malarkey Highlander Shingles: Positioned as the most economical architectural shingle, Highlander offers a Class 3 impact rating, the second highest possible, suitable for areas with moderate hail risk. Like Vista, it uses NEX Rubberized Asphalt, providing up to 50% longer backing shims, 10% greater tear strength, and 65% greater granule adhesion than industry standards (ASTM D3462). Highlander AR versions also feature algae-resistant properties and smog-reducing granules, making it an entry-level option with superior technology for all budgets. It includes Zone fastener placement technology, a Class A fire rating, and a 110 mph wind uplift rating, with an optional 10-year algae-resistant warranty.

Technological and Environmental Advantages  

The NEX Rubberized Asphalt is a standout feature, pioneered by Malarkey, using SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) rubber polymers and plastic polymers to chemically strengthen the asphalt core. This enhances thermal resistance, prevents dry-out, and improves granule embedment, crucial for maintaining appearance over time. The use of upcycled materials, such as rubber from tires and plastic bags, not only improves durability but also reduces landfill waste, with each roof diverting the equivalent of about 4 rubber tires and 2,900 plastic bags.

Performance and Testing Insights  

The Kingdom Builders’ confidence is rooted in their training with Malarkey sales representatives, which covered detailed product benefits and installation techniques, and their review of shingle testing from third parties. These third party tests demonstrated features like hail impact resistance, wind uplift, and granule adhesion, and comparing competitors’ shingles against each-other.

Independent reviews, online, highlight Malarkey’s strong reputation among roofers and homeowners, with Highlander praised for affordability and Vista for higher impact resistance. A Reddit discussion (r/Roofing on Reddit) noted that upgrading from Highlander to Vista, costing an additional $44 per square. This was in a different part of the country, we don’t know the specifics on that situation. For us and our prices its about $20 more per square than the Highlander. Vista is well worth it for better protection, especially in hail-prone areas, potentially qualifying for insurance discounts of 10–20%.

Customer Benefits and Market Position  

For customers, Malarkey shingles offer durability, with enhanced resistance to thermal dry-out, wind, and hail, potentially extending roof life. The aesthetic appeal is maintained through strong granule adhesion, preventing color loss, and the variety of colors enhances home curb appeal. Environmentally, the use of recycled materials and smog-reducing granules appeals to eco-conscious homeowners, while potential insurance discounts from high impact ratings add financial benefits. The Kingdom Builders’ focus on providing the best roof system aligns with these advantages, ensuring customers receive a product that balances performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusion  

In summary, Malarkey Vista and Highlander shingles are premium roofing options with advanced technology, high impact ratings, and eco-friendly features, supported by The Kingdom Builders’ confidence through training and testing. Their competitive pricing ensures customers receive top value, aligning with the company’s mission to deliver the best roof systems. This detailed analysis underscores their market position as a reliable, sustainable choice for homeowners seeking long-term performance.