Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor in Minnesota
Vista AR, Legacy Scotchgard and other Malarkey roofing options, compared honestly and installed by a family-owned Cottage Grove contractor serving Woodbury and the Twin Cities since 2001.
Northern Exteriors is a Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor, listed in Malarkey’s Find a Contractor directory.
Northern Exteriors completed Malarkey’s in-person Certified Pro training and passed the Pro-level certification test. The credential allows us to register enhanced Malarkey material warranties on qualifying Secure Choice™ roof systems when the product, accessory, installation and registration requirements are met. It does not mean every Malarkey roof automatically receives the same warranty, and it does not mean we install Malarkey exclusively.
MN Lic. #BC297099A+ BBB4.9★ Google ratingFamily-owned since 2001
Malarkey Roofing in Minnesota — The Short Answer
Malarkey Vista® AR and Legacy® Scotchgard™ are Class 4, polymer-modified asphalt options worth comparing for Minnesota homes. Northern Exteriors can install a qualifying Secure Choice™ system and register Malarkey’s enhanced Certified Pro material warranty when the requirements are met. For an eligible single-family detached primary residence, that can include a 50-year non-prorated period; townhouses, condominiums, duplexes and other structures have different terms. The right shingle still depends on the roof, budget, color, warranty priorities and the homeowner’s plans—not the badge alone.
Why We Offer Malarkey Shingles in Minnesota
Malarkey builds its residential shingles with NEX® polymer-modified asphalt and publishes product-specific test data for impact classification, tear strength, granule adhesion and wind coverage. Those features make Malarkey worth comparing for Minnesota roofs, but manufacturer test results are comparison tools—not promises about a particular storm, roof or service life.
- Impact classification. Vista® AR, Legacy® Scotchgard™ and Windsor® Scotchgard™ are UL 2218 Class 4; Highlander® AR is Class 3. Class 4 is the highest laboratory impact-resistance classification, but no asphalt shingle is hail-proof.
- Published product data. Malarkey reports tear-strength and granule-adhesion performance above the referenced ASTM minimums, with the exact comparison varying by shingle line. We use the current product sheet for the specific shingle being quoted rather than treating one marketing number as universal.
- System components. Malarkey offers compatible underlayments, ice-and-water barriers, starter shingles and hip-and-ridge products. Using qualifying accessories can affect enhanced warranty eligibility, but the roof still must be designed and installed for the actual deck, ventilation, flashing, slope and code requirements.
- Sustainability claims with assumptions. Malarkey publishes estimates for upcycled rubber and plastic and smog-reducing granules by product and roof size. We show the manufacturer’s assumptions rather than turning those estimates into a blanket environmental promise.
- Enhanced material-warranty eligibility. A qualifying Certified Pro Secure Choice™ system can receive a longer non-prorated period. For eligible single-family detached primary residences, that period can be 50 years; townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and other structures have different terms.
Honest caveat: there is no universally best shingle. The right system depends on the roof design, budget, color, warranty priorities, planned ownership period and any insurer-specific treatment of impact-rated products. Northern Exteriors also installs Owens Corning, CertainTeed, IKO and TAMKO systems and will identify the exact products and warranty level in writing.
Malarkey Shingle Options Available in Minnesota
Product and color availability can vary by region and distributor. The lines below were checked for the Cottage Grove area in September 2026. Impact classifications, algae terms, non-prorated periods and wind coverage come from Malarkey’s current product and warranty documents; the manufacturer’s current warranty controls.
| Line | Style / tier | Impact rating | Algae protection | Standard non-prorated period | Certified Pro non-prorated period — eligible single-family* | Enhanced wind coverage* | Who it tends to suit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlander® AR | Architectural · Malarkey “Very Good” tier | Class 3 | 15-year algae warranty | 10 years | 50 years | Up to 130 mph | Budget-conscious replacements that still want polymer-modified asphalt. |
| Vista® AR | Architectural · Malarkey “Better” tier | Class 4 | 25-year algae warranty | 15 years | 50 years | Up to 130 mph | Homeowners comparing a mainstream architectural profile with a Class 4 rating. |
| Legacy® Scotchgard™ | Architectural · Malarkey “Best” tier | Class 4 | Limited lifetime algae warranty under Malarkey’s terms | 20 years | 50 years | Up to 130 mph | Longer-term owners prioritizing the heavier architectural build and algae coverage. |
| Windsor® Scotchgard™ | Designer profile | Class 4 | Limited lifetime algae warranty under Malarkey’s terms | 20 years | 50 years | Up to 140 mph | Homes where a dimensional designer profile justifies the additional material cost. |
*The Certified Pro warranty requires an eligible roof installed by a Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor as a qualifying Secure Choice™ system with at least three qualifying Malarkey accessories and contractor registration. The 50-year non-prorated period shown applies to an eligible single-family detached primary residence. Townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and other structures receive different terms, including a 20-year Certified Pro non-prorated period and total material coverage that varies by shingle line. Enhanced wind coverage also depends on the required Malarkey components, fastening and other warranty conditions. “Limited lifetime” is a defined warranty term, not unlimited coverage for every owner or structure.
Malarkey Shingle Colors Available in Minnesota
These are Malarkey’s official swatches for the colors shipped to our area. Architectural colors are shared across Vista® AR, Legacy® Scotchgard™ and Highlander® AR; Windsor® Scotchgard™ has its own designer palette. The color name is written under each swatch so you can ask for it by name.
Architectural colors — Vista® AR · Legacy® Scotchgard™ · Highlander® AR
Designer colors — Windsor® Scotchgard™
Real Northern Exteriors Malarkey Projects
The photos in this section are our own jobs, shot by our crew on Twin Cities homes. Everything elsewhere on this page that came from Malarkey is labeled as a manufacturer product photo or swatch — we don’t pass off stock photography as our work.
Recent Malarkey work also includes a Legacy Class 4 roof in Minnetonka (July 2026) and a Woodbury project currently underway — we’ll add photos as those homeowners give the okay. See more of our completed roofing and siding work on the Woodbury roofing page and the home page project gallery.
Malarkey color examples (manufacturer photos)
Malarkey Vista® AR vs. Legacy® Scotchgard™ — Plain-English Comparison
Vista AR and Legacy Scotchgard are both Class 4 architectural shingles built with Malarkey’s NEX® polymer-modified asphalt. The practical differences are product tier, published tear-strength comparison, algae-warranty terms, standard non-prorated period and price. The current product sheet and warranty—not the table alone—control the final terms.
| Vista® AR | Legacy® Scotchgard™ | |
|---|---|---|
| Malarkey positioning | “Better” architectural tier | “Best” architectural tier |
| Impact rating | UL 2218 Class 4 | UL 2218 Class 4 |
| Published tear-strength comparison | Up to 25% greater than the referenced ASTM minimum | Up to 35% greater than the referenced ASTM minimum |
| Algae coverage | 25-year algae warranty | Limited lifetime algae warranty under Malarkey’s terms |
| Standard non-prorated period | 15 years | 20 years |
| Certified Pro non-prorated period — eligible single-family detached primary residence* | 50 years | 50 years |
| Certified Pro non-prorated period — other eligible structures* | 20 years | 20 years |
| Enhanced wind coverage* | Up to 130 mph | Up to 130 mph |
| Relative material cost | Lower | Higher |
*Certified Pro and enhanced wind terms require an eligible qualifying system, required Malarkey accessories, installation details and contractor registration. Total material-coverage periods for townhouses, condominiums, duplexes and other structures vary by shingle line. The current Malarkey warranty document controls.
Vista AR tends to suit homeowners who want an architectural profile and Class 4 rating at the lower of the two material price points, especially when other roof-system priorities—decking, ventilation, flashing, ice-and-water protection or gutters—need part of the budget.
Legacy Scotchgard tends to suit homeowners who value the heavier architectural build, longer standard non-prorated period and Malarkey’s limited lifetime algae-warranty terms enough to justify the higher material cost.
Neither product is automatically right for every house. Compare physical samples, the written scope, the exact warranty class for the building type and the current official specifications: Vista AR technical data · Legacy Scotchgard technical data.
What “Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor” Actually Means
Northern Exteriors completed Malarkey’s in-person Certified Pro training and passed the Pro-level certification test. Malarkey lists Northern Exteriors in its Find a Contractor directory. The credential belongs to the company and demonstrates Malarkey product and installation knowledge; it is not a promise that every roof automatically receives an enhanced warranty.
What it can unlock: when a Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor installs an eligible Secure Choice™ system using Malarkey shingles plus at least three qualifying Malarkey accessories and registers the warranty, the roof can receive Malarkey’s enhanced Certified Pro material warranty. For an eligible single-family detached home used as the owner’s primary residence, the Certified Pro Right Start™ non-prorated period is 50 years across the listed residential shingle lines. Townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and other structures have different terms: a 20-year Pro non-prorated period and total material coverage of 40–50 years depending on the shingle line.
- A Malarkey shingle by itself does not qualify for the Certified Pro warranty; the system, accessory count, installation and contractor registration requirements must be met.
- The Certified Pro warranty covers qualifying Malarkey materials and does not include contractor workmanship coverage. Malarkey’s Certified Premium tier has different workmanship provisions.
- “Limited lifetime” is defined by Malarkey’s warranty and, for single-family coverage, is tied to qualifying owner occupancy and transfer rules. It does not mean every building receives unlimited lifetime coverage.
- Northern Exteriors states its separate workmanship terms in the project contract. We will identify the exact Malarkey products and warranty level quoted before you sign.
Read the current documents before deciding: Malarkey warranties overview · Certified Pro warranty comparison chart · Certified Pro warranty sample. The manufacturer’s current warranty document controls.
The Malarkey Secure Choice™ Roof System
Malarkey uses the Secure Choice™ name for a coordinated system of field shingles and qualifying accessories. The accessory count and product combination can affect enhanced warranty eligibility, but they do not create a universal roof specification. The actual scope must still match the deck, slope, eaves, valleys, walls, penetrations, ventilation, manufacturer instructions, Minnesota code and local permit requirements.
A qualifying Certified Pro warranty generally requires Malarkey shingles plus at least three qualifying Malarkey accessories, compliant installation and contractor registration. That warranty checklist is not a substitute for proper deck repair, flashing, ventilation, drainage, fastening or change-order terms. Northern Exteriors identifies the exact system components and warranty class in the written proposal. See Malarkey’s current Certified Pro comparison chart and sample warranty; the manufacturer’s current documents control.
Malarkey and Minnesota Hail
What Class 4 means: Vista® AR, Legacy® Scotchgard™ and Windsor® Scotchgard™ carry the highest classification in the UL 2218 laboratory impact-resistance test; Highlander® AR is Class 3. The rating is useful when comparing tested products, but it is not a field-performance guarantee and does not predict what will happen at a specific property.
What Class 4 does not mean: it does not make a roof hail-proof or establish that a future storm will—or will not—produce damage. Hail size, density, wind speed, impact angle, storm duration, roof slope, shingle age, installation and prior condition all affect the result. Even a Class 4 roof can sustain functional or cosmetic damage in a severe event.
On insurance: some insurers may offer a premium discount for a specific qualifying Class 4 product, while others may not, and some policies can include cosmetic-damage endorsements or exclusions. Eligibility, savings and policy treatment vary by carrier and contract. Confirm the exact product and policy effect with your insurance agent before paying for an upgrade; Northern Exteriors can provide the product documentation. For more, see our Class 4 shingles guide, standard-vs.-Class-4 comparison, or request a free hail-damage roof inspection.
Malarkey Sustainability Claims — With the Assumptions
Malarkey publishes product-specific estimates for upcycled rubber, upcycled plastic and smog-reducing granules, along with Environmental Product Declarations and other supporting documents. These are manufacturer calculations tied to particular shingle lines, roof sizes and methodologies—not a promise that every Northern Exteriors project produces the same result.
- Published per-roof estimates. For a 30-square Vista roof, Malarkey estimates approximately five upcycled tires, 3,200 plastic bags and a smog-reduction effect it compares with planting about two trees. Malarkey publishes different estimates for Legacy and Windsor because the product weights and material inputs differ.
- Smog-reducing granules. Malarkey and 3M describe photocatalytic granules that use sunlight to help convert nitrogen oxides into water-soluble ions. The effect depends on the product, installed area, exposure and the methodology used in the manufacturer’s calculation.
- Documentation matters. Environmental Product Declarations and third-party certifications can make one manufacturer’s claims easier to examine, but they do not establish the service life of a particular roof or prove that one roofing choice has the lowest total environmental impact in every situation.
Review Malarkey’s current Sustainability Calculator, sustainability report and Environmental Product Declarations for the assumptions behind the numbers. Northern Exteriors can identify the proposed shingle line and roof area so the manufacturer’s calculator is used with the correct inputs.
Malarkey Roofing FAQs for Minnesota Homeowners
Is Malarkey a good shingle for Minnesota?
Malarkey is worth comparing because its residential lines use NEX® polymer-modified asphalt, and Vista AR, Legacy Scotchgard and Windsor Scotchgard carry a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating. Those features do not make a roof hail-proof or automatically make Malarkey the best choice. Roof design, budget, color, warranty priorities, installation and planned ownership period still matter.
What is NEX® polymer-modified asphalt?
NEX® is Malarkey’s name for its polymer-modified asphalt technology. Malarkey’s product literature describes it as using SBS polymers and upcycled tire rubber to improve flexibility and performance characteristics compared with the referenced minimum standards. The exact published figures vary by shingle line, so the current product sheet for the quoted shingle should be used.
Is Malarkey Vista AR Class 4?
Yes. Vista® AR is UL 2218 Class 4 impact-rated. Legacy® Scotchgard™ and Windsor® Scotchgard™ are also Class 4; Highlander® AR is Class 3. The classification comes from a laboratory test and is not a guarantee against damage in a real storm.
What is the difference between Malarkey Vista AR and Legacy Scotchgard?
Both are Class 4 architectural shingles made with NEX® polymer-modified asphalt. Legacy is Malarkey’s higher architectural tier, has a longer standard non-prorated period and carries limited lifetime algae-warranty terms; Vista AR has a lower relative material cost and a 25-year algae warranty. On an eligible single-family detached primary residence, both can receive a 50-year Certified Pro non-prorated period when the qualifying system and registration requirements are met. Other structures have different terms.
What Malarkey colors are available in Minnesota?
For the architectural lines checked for the Cottage Grove area in September 2026, colors included Antique Brown, Black Oak, Brilliant Black, Heather, Natural Wood, Sienna Blend, Silverwood, Storm Grey and Weathered Wood Plus. Windsor Scotchgard used a separate designer palette. Availability can change by product, plant and distributor, so Northern Exteriors confirms the current color and line before ordering.
What does Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor mean?
Northern Exteriors completed Malarkey’s in-person Certified Pro training and passed the Pro-level certification test. Malarkey lists the company in its Find a Contractor directory. The credential allows Northern Exteriors to register enhanced Malarkey material warranties on qualifying roof systems; it does not mean every Malarkey installation automatically receives the same warranty.
What is required for the enhanced Certified Pro warranty?
An eligible roof must be installed by a Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor as a qualifying Secure Choice™ system with Malarkey shingles, at least three qualifying Malarkey accessories, compliant installation and contractor registration. For an eligible single-family detached primary residence, the Certified Pro non-prorated period can be 50 years. Townhouses, duplexes, condominiums and other structures receive different terms, including a 20-year non-prorated period under the current comparison chart.
Can I compare Malarkey with CertainTeed, Owens Corning, IKO or TAMKO?
Yes. Northern Exteriors installs multiple established shingle systems and can compare physical samples, product specifications, roof-system components, material cost and the warranty class the specific building and proposed system actually qualify for.
Can Northern Exteriors bring physical Malarkey samples?
Yes. Tell us which lines or colors you are considering when requesting the estimate. We can bring available samples and compare them in daylight against the siding, brick, stone and trim before the final selection.
Does a Class 4 roof guarantee no hail damage?
No. Class 4 is the highest classification in the UL 2218 laboratory impact-resistance test, not a field-performance guarantee. Hail size, density, wind, impact angle, storm duration, roof slope, product age, installation and prior condition all affect the result. Even a Class 4 roof can sustain functional or cosmetic damage.
Compare Malarkey With Other Leading Shingle Options — Free, No Pressure
Northern Exteriors offers free roof inspections and written estimates in Cottage Grove, Woodbury and throughout our Twin Cities service area. We inspect accessible roof components when weather, safety and roof conditions allow; photograph relevant visible conditions; and compare Malarkey with other established systems that fit the roof and budget. The proposal identifies the exact products, accessories and warranty level the proposed building and system qualify for.
Northern Exteriors Minnesota Inc. · MN Residential Building Contractor License #BC297099 · Based in Cottage Grove, Minnesota · Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor · LP Remodelers Edge contractor · A+ BBB rating.