Keller homeowners ask me about Malarkey more than they used to, mostly because of hail. Malarkey’s rubberized shingles are Class 4, and the two lines I quote most often in Keller are Windsor (the designer shingle) and Vista (the architectural shingle).
I’m Blake Snow, and I’ve been roofing for 30 years. We install Malarkey to the manufacturer’s specs. Here’s how the two compare, using Malarkey’s own product pages and data sheets.
Side-by-side from Malarkey’s specs
Sources: Malarkey’s Windsor Scotchgard page and technical data sheet, and the Vista AR page.
| Windsor Scotchgard | Vista AR | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Designer, high-dimension | Architectural |
| Asphalt | NEX rubberized (polymer-modified) | NEX rubberized (polymer-modified) |
| Size | 38 ¼” × 19 ¼” | 38 ⅞” × 13 ¼” |
| Exposure | 5 ¾” | 5 ⅝” |
| Bundles per square | 5 | 3 |
| Shingles per square | 65 | 66 |
| Impact | UL 2218 Class 4 | UL 2218 Class 4 |
| Fire | Class A | Class A |
| Wind standards | ASTM D7158 Class H, ASTM D3161 Class F | ASTM D7158 Class H, ASTM D3161 Class F |
| Tear strength vs. standard (per Malarkey) | Up to +40% | Up to +25% |
| Thickness vs. standard (per Malarkey) | Up to +22% | Up to +10% |
| Shingle warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
| Non-prorated period | 20 years | 15 years |
| Wind warranty | 110 mph standard, 140 mph enhanced | 110 mph standard, 130 mph enhanced |
| Algae warranty | Limited lifetime (Scotchgard) | 25 years |
Malarkey’s algae warranties cover only blue-green algae, and enhanced wind coverage needs other Malarkey system products. Malarkey also notes colors and specs can change and not every color is sold in every region, so we confirm the current Texas color list before you pick.
How they look on a Keller house
- Windsor is a big, open-tab designer shingle. Malarkey says its 5 ¾-inch exposure is one of the largest in the industry, and it’s up to 22% thicker than a standard architectural shingle. On a large Keller two-story with a steep, cut-up roof, it gives a deep, layered look that reads a step above the neighborhood.
- Vista is a classic architectural shingle. It looks clean and familiar, it suits most Keller subdivisions, and HOA approval is usually easy.
Why rubberized matters for Keller hail
Both use Malarkey’s NEX polymer-modified asphalt, which stays flexible so a hail strike is more likely to bruise than crack the mat, and Malarkey says it improves granule adhesion. Vista also meets the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof requirements, per Malarkey. A Class 4 rating may earn an insurance discount, so ask your agent. It doesn’t make a roof hail-proof, and big hail can still damage any shingle. See our Class 4 shingles page and best Class 4 shingles for Texas guide.
Which I’d pick
- Choose Windsor for a designer look on a larger or higher-end home, or if the 20-year non-prorated period and 140 mph enhanced wind coverage matter to you.
- Choose Vista for a tough, Class 4, good-looking roof at a lower price. It’s Malarkey’s most popular shingle for a reason.
- Consider Legacy if you want something in between. Malarkey lists Legacy Scotchgard as Class 4 with a 20-year non-prorated period. See our Malarkey Vista and Legacy page.
Don’t mix them on a repair. They’re different sizes and styles and won’t line up.
What we do on a Keller Malarkey roof
- Full tear-off to the deck, with deck repairs as needed
- Malarkey starter, hip and ridge and underlayments when you want the enhanced warranty coverage
- New flashings at walls, chimneys and valleys
- A free digital photo report and a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job
See our Malarkey Windsor page for more on the designer line.
After a storm
Get the roof inspected and documented before anyone patches it. In Texas you generally have 1 year from the date of loss to file a claim, but check your policy. Our storm damage page explains the process.
Talk to us about Malarkey in Keller
We install Malarkey, GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning and Atlas shingles in Keller, Southlake, Colleyville, Roanoke and Trophy Club. We’re certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Tropical Roofing Products, Mule-Hide and Enviroshake, and many other roof manufacturers. We’re BBB A+ rated, with 5.0 stars on Google at all three offices: Bridgeport, Decatur and Rhome. Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228.
