Our Roofing Insights team is always trying to find the best products. Whether it be tools, underlayment, or asphalt shingles, we’re always trying to provide the best information possible.
Today’s blog covers the Malarkey Vista shingles and specifically how they performed in our roofing shingles test. We covered a lot of different shingles in this test but wanted to specifically break down each item. You’ll find blogs dedicated to each of the shingles on our website.
For a full look at this test and everything included in each test, watch the video below. You’ll be able to see how well the Malarkey Vista shingles performed and how well the rest of the brands performed throughout this test.
Our Roofing Insights Shingle Test: What’s Involved?
When putting on these shingle tests, we’re looking to create a scientific and methodical test that can, at a minimum, give insight into how well shingles are built and manufactured. By performing several tests without actually installing these shingles on a roof, we’re looking for the best performing shingles based on these criteria:
- Packaging
- Weight
- Nailing zone
- Pull test
- True coverage
- Consistency
- Reputation trend
- Granule loss
- Feedback friendly
It’s not uncommon for roofers to not agree with every part of our test. That’s okay, and it’s not something that we brush off easily. As a brand, our Roofing Insights team works hard to show the integrity behind roofing tools and materials.
We talk with many roofers, and we include a lot of roofers in our test. By using real roofers that are on the job and working with teams regularly to install shingles for homeowners, we get an unbiased opinion and can search for the best shingles on the market.
Throughout this test, a scale of 1-5 is used. 1 is the worst possible, and 5 is the best possible score in this test. Here’s how it played out for Malarkey Vista Shingles.
Packaging: Scored 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Packaging is essential to the integrity of the shingle before it gets installed on a roof. Some packaging really protects shingles, while others don’t provide nearly the same amount of support and protection against weather and water damage that the shingles will undoubtedly face both in shipping and on the job site.
The Malarky Vista shingles scored a solid 4/5 in this test. We would have liked to see them score a 5/5, but to do so, we felt that the packaging needed to be sealed to keep water from getting in and staying in.
Weight: Scored 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Weight is a relative item on our list and one that different roofers and roofing companies can easily dispute. The logic behind scoring based on the weight of a shingle is that in many cases, a heavier shingle is designed and built better and more durable than a lighter shingle.
We’ve found that roofers and ourselves have often had a better experience with heavier shingles staying on a roof and providing better protection against storms and high winds. Malarkey makes a strong and heavy shingle that we’ve been very impressed with over the years.
Nailing Zone: Scored 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Malarkey has got their nailing zone down. They know exactly how to place it on each shingle sheet so that roofers can feel entirely confident when they’re nailing the shingles in place. Guessing where to nail is never ideal.
If you’re a roofer, you know how critical a good nailing zone can be to correct installation. Without a good nailing zone, you’ll be left guessing. And, for the homeowners out there, you likely don’t feel secure thinking that your roofer is completely guessing how to secure the shingles to your roof.
Pull Test: Scored 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The pull test portion of our test is one of the most controversial among both roofers and roofing material companies. While some might say it’s a fair test, others would say it’s biased and really doesn’t show how well a shingle is designed or built.
We secure shingles to the roof by nailing directly over their nailing zone to perform this test. Then, we attach a tool that can measure the amount of force that can be used before the shingle is ripped from the roof’s surface.
Malarkey shingles perform well in this test, along with many others. We’ve been impressed time and again with how they hold up. This test helps build a roofer’s confidence that these shingles will hold up well against harsh weather, wind, and the installation process.
True Coverage: Scored 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The size of each sheet of shingles can change from brand to brand and product to product within that brand. When shingles cover a larger surface area, you can be even more confident that you’re getting the best bang for your buck. More square footage covered with fewer bundles means a more profitable roofing company and a cheaper roof installation for the homeowner.
Malarkey has been manufacturing shingles for nearly 80 years. They’ve got this done and confidently provide their customers with a high-quality roofing shingle that provides better true coverage than many other brands and products on the market.
Consistency: Scored 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Three bundles of shingles should cover the same surface area every time they’re installed. But unfortunately, some shingle manufacturers don’t put the same number of shingles in every bundle. While you might not expect it, getting a bundle that’s two sheets less than the next one you open makes a huge difference in the overall outcome of your roofing project.
Expecting the same number of shingles within each bundle will make a difference. Malarkey provides you with 100% consistency when you purchase their Vista shingles.
Reputation Trend: Scored 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The reputation of a brand is important for many reasons. It helps instill consumer confidence and provides roofers with a positive working experience with a brand. We’ve been really impressed to hear from roofing companies throughout the country that has found things they love and don’t.
Wherever you travel and whichever roofing company you talk to, the consensus tends to be that Malarkey makes stand-up roofing products that you can count on. Their materials are well built, and they’ve been doing right by the roofing community for decades.
Granule Loss: Scored 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our second to the last category is granule loss. Roofers know that shingles with high granule loss won’t protect your roof as well as they could, and a multitude of granules on the roof during installation can lead to dangerous working conditions.
To get an idea of how well the granules stayed on shingles in the real world, we performed some of the bundles’ actions before being installed. Carrying the shingles up and down ladders, dropping them on the ground, and roughing them up a bit. After that, we opened the bundle and measured how many grams of granules ended up on the ground.
Malarky did well in this test, and we’re very impressed with their performance throughout this test.
Feedback Friendly: Scored 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
And finally, it’s critical to consider the ability to give feedback to roofing materials companies. When we perform this test and publish our findings, it’s not just for roofers and homeowners to see what products perform best. It also shows roofing material manufacturers what areas they can work on and make their products better.
We called each company that had a product in this test and provided them both with the feedback we had based on the test and listened to see how receptive they were to the feedback. Some companies really listened and were helpful, while others weren’t nearly as receptive as we would have liked.
Final Score: 4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The average of each of the tests combined provides us with the final score achieved by each shingle. Malarkey had two separate shingles in this test, and they both scored a solid 4.5 of 5. That’s just a mere .05 under the two leading shingle products in this test.
How to Choose the Right Shingle for Your Roof
The reality is that there isn’t just one shingle that’s going to be right for you, your home, or your roofing company. There are constant changes, improvements, and impacts made on the brands themselves as time goes on. To choose the right product, you’ll have to consider your budget, climate, and any warranties that may affect you.
We’re constantly reviewing shingle brands and providing roofers and homeowners alike with the information needed to choose the right tools and materials for roofing.If you’re looking for a place to advertise your roofing company or find the best roofing company in your local area, we’d love to hear from you. You can join Directorii and be a part of an honest movement to provide the highest quality service possible.
Hi. Thank you for a very information-packed video! This will help me a lot on selecting my contractor and materials.
I have a couple suggestions for next time…
1) You could include and rate “Manufacturer’s Warranty” – A big help for selling and value for customer.
2) Flag items that are important for the customer, and have separate results rating for only those items.
For example – As a customer (which I am), the important items for me were Weight, Nailing Zone, Pull Test, and Granual Loss (and Manufacturer’s Warranty) – as those items indicate, to me, the quality of roof I will be getting, along with sufficient parameters for the roofer to do a good job.
Thank you very much!
Paul
We absolutely do not recommend the Malarkey Vista Shingles. They “telegraph” every imperfection in your decking. Our house is about 35 years old and has been well cared for over the years with only 2 owners since it was built. Our previous roof that we replaced did not show every lump and bump of our decking like these shingles do. Malarkey does not stand by their warranty and neither does the roofer, you are on your own. Unless you want your roof to look like cr-p when complete, do not use these shingles! +Cheryl
I am researching roof products right now and everyone I’ve contacted didn’t have this problem with the product. Did you have a complete tear off?
what company makes the best shingle for the price
Responding to Cheryl, everyone I’ve checked with as a reference to get this product doesn’t have this issue, did you have a complete tear off?