Roofing Products & Shingle Colors
The shingle brands, product lines and colors Northern Exteriors installs across the Twin Cities — with real project photos and a straight comparison, so you can pick a roof you will still like in 20 years.
The Short Answers
MalarkeyOwens CorningTAMKOIKOCompare linesChoosing a colorGet samples
Shingle Brands We Install
Every photo on a brand card below is a roof our own crew installed on a Twin Cities home. Color swatches and product galleries are the manufacturers’ official assets and are labeled as such.
Malarkey
Malarkey Certified Pro ContractorClass 4 options
Lines we install: Highlander AR (Class 3), Vista AR, Legacy Scotchgard and Windsor Scotchgard (all UL 2218 Class 4). Built with NEX polymer-modified asphalt.
Colors: 9 architectural colors shared across Highlander, Vista and Legacy, plus 7 Windsor designer colors — all shown as official Malarkey swatches on our site.
Photo: Legacy Scotchgard, Midnight Black — Woodbury, MN. Northern Exteriors project.
Owens Corning
Architectural
Lines we install: Duration architectural shingles with the SureNail reinforced nailing strip. Ask about Owens Corning’s impact-rated options if a Class 4 shingle is a priority.
Colors: a broad palette from earthy neutrals to high-contrast blacks. Browse the official color gallery, then ask us for the samples you like.
Photo: Duration, Black Sable — Twin Cities. Northern Exteriors project.
TAMKO
ArchitecturalClass 4 option
Lines we install: Heritage architectural shingles and StormFighter FLEX, a polymer-modified shingle offered in UL 2218 Class 3 and Class 4 versions. The Apple Valley roof shown is the Class 4 version.
Colors: StormFighter FLEX uses TAMKO’s most popular Heritage colors, including weathered wood, rustic slate and charcoal blends common on Minnesota homes.
Photo: StormFighter FLEX — Apple Valley, MN. Northern Exteriors project.
IKO
ArchitecturalClass 4 option
Lines we install: Cambridge, a value-oriented architectural shingle, and Nordic, a polymer-modified performance shingle with a UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating.
Colors: clean, versatile blends on Cambridge; high-definition colors on Nordic. Browse the official galleries, then compare physical samples at your estimate.
Photo: Nordic — Woodbury, MN. Northern Exteriors project.
We also install CertainTeed shingle systems when they fit the roof and written scope. Brand, line and color availability can vary by distributor and season, so we confirm the current product before ordering and identify it in writing on your proposal.
How the Shingle Lines Differ — At a Glance
Impact ratings come from each manufacturer’s current product literature. Class 4 is the highest classification in the UL 2218 laboratory impact test; it does not make a roof hail-proof, and any insurance discount depends on the exact product and your policy.
| Brand | Line | Style | Impact rating | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malarkey | Highlander AR | Architectural | Class 3 | Polymer-modified asphalt at Malarkey’s entry price point. |
| Malarkey | Vista AR | Architectural | Class 4 | Mainstream architectural profile; lower material cost than Legacy. |
| Malarkey | Legacy Scotchgard | Architectural (heavier) | Class 4 | Longer standard non-prorated period; Scotchgard algae protection. |
| Malarkey | Windsor Scotchgard | Designer | Class 4 | Dimensional designer profile with its own color palette. |
| Owens Corning | Duration | Architectural | Standard line | SureNail reinforced nailing strip; wide color range. |
| TAMKO | Heritage | Architectural | Standard line | TAMKO’s core architectural shingle and color lineup. |
| TAMKO | StormFighter FLEX | Architectural | Class 3 or 4 (by version) | Polymer-modified; shares the Heritage color lineup. |
| IKO | Cambridge | Architectural | Standard line | Value-oriented architectural shingle. |
| IKO | Nordic | Architectural (performance) | Class 4 | Polymer-modified; reinforced nailing zone. |
Want the longer version? Read What Are Class 4 Shingles? and cheap shingles vs. Class 4 shingles, or compare Malarkey Vista AR vs. Legacy.
Choosing a Shingle Color for a Minnesota Home
- Start with what is not changing. Brick, stone, trim and siding color are already on the house; the shingle has to work with them. Bring those colors into the decision before you fall in love with a swatch.
- Look at samples in daylight, on your driveway. Screens and showroom lighting shift every color. Hold the board against the wall at two times of day.
- Drive past a finished roof in that color. A full roof reads darker and more uniform than a single shingle. We can point you to installs nearby.
- Weathered wood, charcoal and driftwood blends are the safe Minnesota picks — mid-tone blends hide dust and pollen and pair with most siding. Black and charcoal look sharp and modern; confirm the shade against your trim, because a full dark roof reads more uniform than one sample board.
- Check HOA rules and matching needs first. Townhomes and some associations restrict color; storm repairs on part of a roof need a color that is still in production.
Malarkey’s free Roof Designer previews its colors on a sample home or a photo of yours. Pairing a new roof with new siding? See our siding products and colors page and the LP SmartSide color guide.
See These Shingles on Your Own Roof
Tell us the brand, line or colors you are considering and we will bring the samples to a free, no-pressure roof inspection and estimate. The written proposal identifies the exact product, accessories and warranty level your roof qualifies for. Call 651-230-5103 or use the form.
Request Shingle Samples or a Free Estimate
Mention the shingle line or colors you want to see in the message box and we will bring them. Northern Exteriors has been giving free, no-pressure estimates to Twin Cities homeowners since 2001.
Northern Exteriors Minnesota Inc. · MN Residential Building Contractor License #BC297099 · Based in Cottage Grove, MN · Malarkey Certified Pro Contractor · LP Remodelers Edge contractor · A+ BBB rating. Back to Twin Cities roofing services.