Malarkey shingles use a rubberized asphalt core built from recycled rubber and plastic. This flexibility helps most of their architectural shingles earn a Class 4 impact rating, the highest level available under UL 2218, a standard created by Underwriters Laboratories to test how well roofing materials hold up against severe impacts like hail. That same rubberized core is what helps them handle Chicago hail, wind, and freeze-thaw winters better than standard asphalt shingles, though professional installation is what actually delivers on that performance.
Not all asphalt shingles are built the same, even though they can look nearly identical on a shelf. Malarkey shingles use a different manufacturing process than most competitors, built around rubberized asphalt instead of a standard fiberglass mat alone. For homeowners in Glenview, Wheaton, and across the North Shore, that difference matters every time a hailstorm rolls through or a Chicago winter puts years of freeze-thaw stress on a roof.
What Makes Malarkey’s NEX Asphalt Different
Most asphalt shingles rely on a fiberglass mat coated in standard asphalt, which turns brittle in cold weather and cracks under impact. Malarkey shingles are built with NEX Polymer Modified Asphalt, a proprietary blend of high-grade asphalt, virgin rubber polymers, and upcycled rubber and plastic. That rubberized core gives the shingle more flexibility, so instead of cracking under stress, it absorbs it. For a two-flat in Chicago or a ranch home in Wheaton, that flexibility is the difference between a roof that shrugs off a summer storm and one that needs emergency repairs soon after.
Impact-Resistant Shingles Built for Chicago Hail
Most Malarkey architectural shingles carry a Class 4 impact rating, the highest classification available under UL 2218 testing from Underwriters Laboratories. The test drops a two-inch steel ball from 20 feet onto the shingle, twice in roughly the same spot, and a Class 4 shingle shows no cracking, tearing, or splitting afterward. That rating matters directly for homeowners across Cook, DuPage, and Lake counties, where spring and summer hail is a regular threat to roofs. A Class 4 rating can also qualify homeowners for a discount with some insurance carriers, since insurers recognize the reduced likelihood of a hail-related claim.
Sustainability Technology That Also Extends Shingle Life
Malarkey’s rubberized asphalt isn’t only about performance. The upcycled rubber and plastic in NEX Asphalt keeps material out of landfills that would otherwise come from scrap tires and consumer plastics, giving the shingles a sustainability story that’s tied to how they perform, not just how they’re marketed. The same polymers that reduce waste also give the shingle its flexibility and impact resistance. For homeowners weighing a home’s environmental footprint alongside its durability, that overlap is worth knowing before choosing a roofing material for a Glenview or Northbrook remodel.
Storm Durability Through Chicago’s Freeze-Thaw Winters
Chicago roofs deal with a wider temperature swing than most of the country, from summer heat that softens standard asphalt to winter cold that makes it brittle. That freeze-thaw cycle is hard on any shingle, but especially hard on ones without built-in flexibility. Malarkey’s rubberized core stays more pliable across that range, helping prevent the granule loss and cracking that shows up on standard shingles after a few Chicago winters. Wind resistance matters too: Malarkey backs its shingles with a 110 mph standard wind warranty, upgradable to a 130 mph enhanced wind warranty, which is the kind of durability homeowners in exposed spots near the lake need from a roof built to perform for decades, not just look good on installation day.
Is the Higher Upfront Cost of Malarkey Shingles Worth It
Malarkey shingles typically cost more upfront than standard asphalt options from mass-market brands, and that price difference is a fair question to ask before committing. The math tends to favor the higher-performing shingle once you factor in fewer storm-related repairs, a longer service life before replacement, and the possibility of an insurance discount tied to the Class 4 rating. For a home that’s likely to see several hailstorms and dozens of freeze-thaw cycles over the life of the roof, paying more for a shingle engineered to handle both is often the cheaper choice over a 20-plus year horizon.
Why Professional Installation Still Matters
Even the best shingle underperforms with poor installation. Flashing, ventilation, and nailing pattern all affect how a roof handles wind and water over time, regardless of the shingle brand. LeafCo Gutters & Roofing is an authorized installer for Malarkey Roofing Products, meaning the crew installing your roof has trained specifically on the material’s requirements rather than treating it like any other shingle, and LeafCo handles the manufacturer warranty paperwork directly so homeowners aren’t left tracking down documentation later. Many types of Malarkey’s shingles also carry a lifetime limited warranty with a 20-year non-prorated period against manufacturing defects, and pairing that coverage with installation built around the material’s specifications is what actually delivers on the shingle’s rated performance.
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Read the GuideA roof only performs as well as the materials and the installation behind it, and Malarkey’s rubberized shingles give Chicago homeowners a stronger starting point than standard asphalt. Part of the Siding & Windows Group family, which has served the region for over 40 years, LeafCo Gutters & Roofing has brought that same expertise to the Chicago area and North Shore since 2020. Request a free roofing consultation today to see if Malarkey shingles are the right fit for your home.
