Malarkey Legacy Shingles Prices, Installation, Reviews (2024)

Malarkey is one of the leading manufacturers of asphalt shingles that’s committed to producing eco-friendly products.

The company’s Legacy series is among its most popular and highest-performing product lines.

Malarkey Legacy shingles are beloved by homeowners and contractors alike, thanks to their longevity and durability against extreme weather.

If you are ready to install a new roof, contact your local roofing pros for a FREE ESTIMATE!

Who Makes Malarkey Legacy Shingles?

Malarkey Roofing Products makes Malarkey Legacy shingles.

This U.S.-based manufacturer was established in 1956 and owns production facilities in Oregon, California, and Oklahoma.

Malarkey Roofing Products has developed a proprietary NEX technology that combines high-grade asphalt with virgin rubber polymers (SBS), recycled rubber, and plastic polymers.

This combination provides superior all-weather resilience, longer life expectancy, and reduced environmental impact.

Did you know? Malarkey is the first roofing company to produce an asphalt roofing product that can withstand the freezing temperatures of Alaska. In fact, the Alaskan was one of the company’s first asphalt roofing products, gaining a significant market share in colder climates.

The Malarkey Legacy shingles are architectural asphalt shingles made using NEX rubberized asphalt. They have a Class 4 impact rating and contain granules that help clean the air of emission pollutants.

How Much Do Legacy Shingles Cost?

Generally speaking, Malarkey is considered to be on the pricier side of the asphalt shingle market.

On average, covering your roof with Malarkey Legacy shingles will cost between $4 and $5 per square foot.

This equals to an $8,000 to $10,000 price range for an average 2,000-square-foot roof.

If your budget allows for it, the Legacy series is the way to go when it comes to Malarkey architectural shingles, as they provide the best coverage and impact resistance rating.

Malarkey Legacy Shingles Cost Breakdown

There are two costs to consider when planning a roofing project: materials and labor.

Since the Malarkey products are available through distributors across the U.S., there are no set prices for the Legacy shingle bundles.

Although the prices vary depending on the distribution location, the company works with distributors to ensure they offer an acceptable price reflecting Malarkey products’ value.

On average, the cost of Malarkey Legacy shingles ranges from $1.30 to $1.50 per square foot for materials only.

This is about 30% to 40% more expensive than other architectural shingles by some of the leading roofing manufacturers like GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning.

Only the designer Windsor series is more expensive than the Legacy shingles within the Malarkey’s assortment.

As for labor rates, they range between $2.50 and $3.50 per square foot.

However, several factors can raise the installation cost:

• An architecturally complex or hard-to-reach roof
• A high number of stories
• Geographic location

Product Line	Average Material Cost per Square Foot	Average Labor Cost per Square Foot	Average Total Cost for a 2,000-Square-Foot Roof
Legacy Shingles	$1.30-$1.50	$2.50-$3.50	$7,600-$10,000

Where To Buy Malarkey Legacy Shingles

Unlike most leading asphalt shingle brands, Malarkey isn’t available in home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s.

Instead, you’ll have to purchase the Legacy shingles through a local authorized roofing supplier.

Malarkey offers a handy “Find a distributor” option on its website.

By entering your zip code, you’ll see the name and the address of all local dealers that carry Malarkey products.

Some of the more popular roofing suppliers selling Malarkey products include:

• Richards Building Supply
• American Roofing Supply
• Elite Roofing Supply
• HD Supply Home Improvement Solutions

Wholesale Malarkey Legacy Shingles

Contractors looking to get a good deal on bulk purchases should turn to wholesale dealers of asphalt shingles.

For Malarkey Legacy shingles, popular wholesale suppliers include J.B. Wholesale and ABC Supply.

Malarkey Legacy Shingles Colors

Malarkey Legacy shingles come in a pretty limited selection of colors.

Most homeowners across the U.S. will be able to choose from only nine color options:

• Silverwood
• Storm Grey
• Weathered Wood
• Natural Wood
• Sienna Blend
• Heather 
• Antique Brown
• Black Oak
• Midnight Black

On top of a limited selection, all the color options are muted and only include shades of white, brown, and black.

Homeowners who want a bold and vibrant roof will have to find another manufacturer or product line.

On the positive side, homeowners looking for a more classic roof can visit the Malarkey website and click on each of the mentioned colors.

This will allow them to see how these architectural shingles look on several houses of different styles and determine whether the selected color is the right choice for their home.

Malarkey Legacy Shingles Weight Per Square

As a rule of thumb, three bundles of shingles are required to cover one roofing square or 100 square feet of roofing area.

However, this isn’t the case with Malarkey Legacy shingles.

It takes four bundles of these shingles to cover one roofing square.

Considering that one bundle weighs approximately 60 pounds, the average weight per square for Malarkey Legacy shingles is 240 pounds.

This weight provides more coverage and protection for your roof. 

Malarkey Legacy Shingles Reviews

The Legacy shingles are the crown jewel of Malarkey’s shingle offering.

As such, these shingles have mostly received positive reviews from both homeowners and homebuilders.

These positive reviews highlight the following:

• The Legacy shingles have minimal granule loss and hardly move even decades after installation.
• These shingles are waterproof, preventing detrimental roof leaks.
• The Legacy line looks more visually appealing than standard dimensional shingles.
• The Legacy shingles can withstand the impact of most hail storms, windblown debris, and failing branches.

However, some negative reviews of the Malarkey Legacy shingles can also be found online.

These reviews point out the following:

• The Legacy shingles are heavier than standard asphalt shingles, making them more challenging to transport and install.
• These shingles can sometimes bleed oil after heavy downpours.
• Making a warranty claim based on manufacturing defects is challenging. Plus, these claims are often denied.

How To Install Malarkey Legacy Shingles

Having the Malarkey Legacy shingles installed professionally is recommended for multiple reasons. 

For starters, these shingles are relatively costly.

A botched DIY installation can make a lot of valuable materials go to waste.

Also, such an installation can significantly shorten the life expectancy for these shingles and void their warranty.

And finally, having the roof professionally installed by Malarkey-certified roofing contractors allows homeowners to become eligible for extended warranties.

If, however, you still decide to go the DIY route, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Lay the Legacy shingles on a flat surface before installation since these shingles tend to retain the shape of the surface against which they are placed.
• Ensure all the shingles are flat before you install them. The flatter the shingles, the less chance of buckling.
• Before laying down the Legacy shingles, install underlayment for added protection. If you’re working alone, cut the underlayment into manageable chunks before applying it.
• Avoid placing the shingles too close together to account for their expansion.
• If your roof slope is greater than 21:12 or you live in areas with frequent extreme weather conditions, you should hand-seal each shingle. These adverse conditions can prevent the shingle’s self-sealing strip from activating. Plus, this application method ensures that the company’s limited wind warranty covers the shingles.

Did you know? Malarkey was the first roofing company to introduce a larger nailing area, referred to as “The Zone.” This nailing area is easier to hit, improving the installation speed and accuracy and preventing shingle uplift and blow-off.

When To Replace Malarkey Legacy Shingles

Many homeowners start thinking about replacing their roof or a portion of it only after spotting a leak or water damage within their homes.

However, some warning signs can indicate that shingles need a replacement before this worst-case scenario takes place. 

Here’s what to keep in mind when it comes to Malarkey Legacy shingles:

• Always check the shingles after a storm. If you notice some shingles not lying flat against the roof, make sure to replace them. The same goes for any cracked or damaged patches of shingles.
• Inspect your shingles regularly regardless of the weather conditions. Replace any shingles that are curling or buckling. These issues can be a sign of age, improper installation, or moisture damage.
• Inspect your downspouts and gutters regularly. If you notice a lot of shingle granules, it might be time to replace your roofing system.
• Check your roof regularly for moss, mold, and fungi. These growths can indicate that there might be some moisture trapped beneath the shingles. If that’s the case, the entire section must be replaced.
• Keep your roof’s life expectancy in mind. Although the Legacy shingles are expected to last up to 35 years, many factors can accelerate the aging of shingles. For this reason, observe your roof more diligently after 20 years have passed.

How Long Do Malarkey Legacy Shingles Last?

Malarkey uses proprietary modified asphalt technology to ensure their shingles last longer and perform equally well when first installed and after decades of use.

When installed and maintained correctly, the Legacy shingles can last up to 35 years.

This life expectancy surpasses the average life expectancy for architectural asphalt shingles, which is 20 to 30 years.

What Is The Warranty On Malarkey Legacy Shingles?

All Malarkey shingles come with a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, and the Legacy line is no different.

Plus, if you hire a Malarkey-certified roofer to install the shingles and use Malarkey’s accessories in the process, you’re eligible for extended warranty coverage.

Here’s an overview of the Malarkey warranties you might be entitled to:

• Standard Shingle Warranty. This standard limited lifetime warranty protects the shingles against manufacturing defects, regardless of the installer and the accessories used. It includes an enhanced wind warranty, protecting your roof against winds up to 130 mph. 
• Emerald Pro Warranty. If you hire an Emerald Pro or Premium level Malarkey-certified roofer, you’re eligible for the Emerald Pro warranty. Another requirement is for the roofer to use at least three Malarkey accessories during installation.
• Emerald Premium Warranty. To qualify for this warranty, your roof must be installed by an Emerald Premium Malarkey-certified roofer, who will use at least four Malarkey accessories to complete this project.

Did you know? Emerald Pro Malarkey-certified roofers must have at least three years of roofing experience. This requirement rises to five years for Emerald Premium Malarkey-certified roofers. In addition, both roofer types must be licensed, insured, trained in Malarkey products, and in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. 

The Malarkey Legacy shingles also come with a 15-year non-prorated period.

During this period, the company will repair, replace, or pay for the installation of new shingles if the initial shingles are found to have manufacturing defects that adversely affect their performance.

What Class Are Malarkey Legacy Shingles?

Regarding impact resistance, the Malarkey Legacy shingles are Class 4 rated for impact, the highest rating possible.

The same goes for the line’s fire rating, which is Class A.

To receive a Class 4 impact rating, shingles must withstand the impact of a two-inch steel ball dropped on them from a height of 20 feet multiple times.

To put this into perspective, a steel ball of this size and weight would crack a four-inch concrete paver in half. 

Did you know? The Legacy shingles are one among only four product lines in the U.S. to score “excellent” or “good” across every performance category during the latest hail impact study by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).

As for the fire rating, Class A indicates superior fire protection. It means that the Legacy shingles can be directly exposed to flames without catching fire.

What Is The Difference Between Malarkey Vista And Legacy?

Introduced in 2016, Vista is the newest shingle line in Malarkey’s assortment.

This line is part of the company’s ongoing effort to provide more sustainable roofing materials.

For this reason, the Vista shingles are manufactured using a blend of Flexor, which is a mixture of asphalt and recycled polymers.

The resulting product features the Flexor asphalt’s superior adhesion and uses more eco-friendly materials.

While both lines are made using the company’s proprietary NEX asphalt technology, the Malarkey Vista shingles differ from the Legacy shingles in several regards.

For starters, the Vista shingles have a Class 3 impact rating, a class below the Legacy shingles.

In addition, they have less tear strength than the significantly thicker Legacy shingles.

Did you know? Tear strength is the best indicator of a shingle’s toughness and strength. This measurement is tested on four occasions: when the shingle is received, after it’s exposed to condensation and heat aging, and after five years have passed.

Of course, the superiority of Legacy shingles in these regards is also reflected in their price.

They are significantly more expensive than the Malarkey Vista shingles and the company’s most expensive architectural offering overall.

On average, the Vista shingles cost between $1.30 and $1.35 per square foot.

Another critical difference between the Vista and the Legacy shingles is their weight per square.

It takes approximately 90 Vista shingles to cover a square, compared to 120 Legacy shingles.

Since the Legacy shingles use more roofing material to cover a square, they are also heavier than Vista shingles per square. 

What Is The Difference Between Malarkey Highlander And Legacy Shingles?

The Malarkey Highlander shingles are the company’s most budget-friendly architectural offering.

However, these shingles are still high-quality.

In fact, they are the only entry-level shingles to be constructed using rubberized asphalt, making this cutting-edge technology available for homeowners on a tight budget.

On average, these shingles cost between $1.20 and $1.30 per square foot.

The Highlander series also offers the broadest color selection out of all company’s products, thus beating the Legacy shingles in this department.

Besides the neutral options it shares with the Legacy series, the Highlander series features vivid color options like Rainforest green and Terra Cotta red. In addition, it features the Dove White color, which is ENERGY STAR-rated.

Did you know? ENERGY STAR-rated asphalt shingles are designed with special granules that make them more reflective than traditional asphalt shingles. As a result, they absorb less heat and can help reduce the amount of energy needed to cool down the house during the summer months. This ultimately results in huge savings for the homeowner.

Like the Legacy shingles, these popular architectural shingles deliver all-weather resistance.

But the Highlander shingles are less thick, less resistant to tearing, and have a lower impact rating.

The Highlander shingles are classified as Class 2 shingles, while the Legacy shingles boast the best impact rating of Class 4. 

Still, the Highlander series is one of Malarkey’s most popular product lines, thanks to the excellent value for money these shingles provide.

Are Malarkey Legacy Shingles Good Quality?

In general, Malarkey Legacy shingles are considered good, and even excellent, quality.

They are designed to be durable and provide excellent protection for your home, even under extreme weather conditions.

They also have a Class 4 impact resistance rating, reducing the risk of damage after a hail storm.

An Investment In The Future

High-quality and eco-friendly, Malarkey Legacy shingles are an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a long-lasting asphalt roof.

Although they’re more expensive than most asphalt shingles manufactured by top roofing brands, these shingles are well worth the money considering the security and durability they provide.

When installed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, these attractive shingles will protect your homes for decades to come.