CertainTeed or Malarkey: which shingle line is right for your Minneapolis roof?
Modern Exterior Systems (Modex) installs both full lineups — CertainTeed's Landmark through Presidential Shake TL, and Malarkey's Highlander AR through Legacy. CertainTeed brings standard asphalt, the broadest color range, and strong resale recognition; Malarkey builds NEX SBS-modified asphalt into every tier for Minnesota freeze-thaw and hail. Most tiers land in the $14K–$28K architectural range.
Comparison
Which shingle brand is better for Minneapolis homes: CertainTeed or Malarkey?
I install both CertainTeed ShingleMaster and Malarkey Emerald Pro. Most comparisons come from contractors certified for one brand—I'm certified for both, so I have no stake in which one you choose, only in the right recommendation for your home.
Closest matchup
Landmark vs Highlander: the apples-to-apples tier
Every brand comparison comes down to the tiers you'd actually quote against each other. These entry architecturals are the closest head-to-head — here's how they stack up on the features that matter most.
CertainTeed Landmark
The architectural mainstay
Asphalt composition
Standard asphalt
Algae resistance
StreakFighter, 25–30 yr
Wind rating
110 mph (130 upgradeable)
Impact rating
Not rated as standard
Broadest color and style range
Lifetime limited warranty, transferable
Step-up path: Landmark Pro, ClimateFlex
Standard asphalt is less forgiving in deep cold
Malarkey Highlander
The SBS-modified architectural
Asphalt composition
NEX SBS-modified
Algae resistance
AR granules standard
Wind rating
UL-approved ratings
Impact rating
UL 2218 Class 3
Flexes through freeze-thaw and ice dam stress
Non-prorated limited lifetime warranty
Step-up path: Vista or Legacy for Class 4
Smog-reducing granule option
The lineups
CertainTeed vs Malarkey: the full lines, tier by tier
Each brand is a ladder, not a single shingle — entry architectural, an upgrade tier, and a premium tier. I hold top-tier certification for both brands — this table is how I walk homeowners through the choice.
| CertainTeed | Malarkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry architectural | Landmark | Highlander AR |
| Mid / upgrade tier | Landmark Pro · Landmark ClimateFlex (Class 4) | Vista AR (Class 4) |
| Premium tier | Presidential Shake TL | Legacy (Class 4, Scotchgard) |
| Asphalt composition philosophy | Standard asphalt across the line; ClimateFlex tiers add cold-weather flexibility | NEX SBS-modified (rubberized) asphalt in every tier — up to 30% greater strength, 65% better granule adhesion |
| Typical Twin Cities install | $14K–$28K architectural range | $14K–$28K architectural range |
| Warranty structure | SureStart covers early defects for the first 10 years + lifetime limited, transferable — ShingleMaster install keeps full coverage intact | Limited lifetime, non-prorated throughout, transferable — Emerald Pro install adds extended workmanship coverage |
| Class 4 availability | ClimateFlex versions — an upgrade, not the default | Vista AR and Legacy — one step above the entry tier |
| Algae resistance approach | StreakFighter — 25–30 year streak warranty | AR granules standard; Legacy adds 3M Scotchgard |
| Wind rating (entry tier) | 110 mph standard; 130 mph with upgraded starter + hip/ridge accessories | UL-approved wind ratings; enhanced wind warranty with certified install |
| Fire rating | UL Class A | UL Class A |
| How the lines age here | Hold color well in sun-exposed areas | Resist granule loss better through freeze-thaw cycles |
| Eco option | No equivalent | Smog-reducing granule option |
| Our certification | CertainTeed ShingleMaster | Malarkey Emerald Pro |
| Our take for Minnesota | The proven mainstream lineup — best color range, strong resale recognition, ClimateFlex when hail is the worry | SBS flexibility in every tier — shows up in freeze-thaw and on storm-prone, tree-covered lots |
Costs reflect the typical 2026 Twin Cities architectural asphalt range — where each tier lands within it depends on your roof. Your quote is line-itemed against your actual roof — call 952-206-6339.
Technical
The material difference that matters most
Malarkey's NEX SBS-modified asphalt is the core distinction between these brands — and it runs through the whole line, from Highlander AR to Legacy, standard rather than an upgrade. That polymer additive makes the shingle flex under stress instead of cracking. In Minnesota, where hail, ice dams, and freeze-thaw cycles are routine, that flexibility translates to fewer callbacks and longer roof life. CertainTeed's standard asphalt is proven and reliable, and its ClimateFlex tiers add cold-weather flexibility — but there it's a step up, not the default.
Pricing
Installed cost: the entry tiers compared
Landmark and Highlander — each brand's entry architectural — both sit in the Twin Cities architectural asphalt range. Here's what comes with each
CertainTeed Landmark
$14K–$28K
Includes
SureStart 10-year early-defect coverage
Lifetime limited material warranty, transferable
StreakFighter algae resistance, 25–30 year warranty
110 mph wind rating, upgradeable to 130 mph
Broad style and color options
Warranties
Coverage comparison
Warranty structure is a line-wide difference between the brands — here's how it plays out on the entry tiers, Landmark and Highlander.
CertainTeed Landmark
SureStart early-defect coverage
Plus a lifetime limited transferable warranty — ShingleMaster installation and registration keep full coverage intact
Malarkey Highlander
Non-prorated throughout
Limited lifetime warranty with the same coverage for its full term — Emerald Pro installation adds extended workmanship coverage
Material warranty
Lifetime
Unlimited
Included with ShingleMaster
Included with Emerald Pro
Yes
Unlimited
Transferable to next owner
Yes, limited
Yes, limited
Unlimited
Unlimited
Ice dam protection
Good with ventilation
Superior flexibility
Unlimited
Minnesota freeze-thaw
Granule retention
Good in sun exposure
Better in wet cycles
Unlimited
When to choose each
When to choose each shingle for your roof
Both are solid. The choice depends on your lot's exposure and what matters most to you. Here's my honest take after installing both on hundreds of Twin Cities roofs.
Choose CertainTeed Landmark if
You want broad color and style options, live in a premium neighborhood where resale comps favor CertainTeed, or prefer the proven mainstream choice with a clear step-up path to Landmark Pro or ClimateFlex.
Choose Malarkey Highlander if
Your lot has mature trees, you're in a storm-prone area, or you value hail resistance (Class 3 standard, Class 4 one step up in Vista) and ice dam flexibility. The NEX SBS-modified composition is built for Minnesota weather.
The verdict
So which brand should you actually pick?
I'm certified top-tier for both — ShingleMaster and Emerald Pro — so I have no stake in which you choose. Pick the CertainTeed line when color range and resale recognition lead the decision. Pick the Malarkey line when hail, mature trees, or ice dams drive it — NEX SBS-modified asphalt runs through every tier, and it's built for Minnesota weather.
Storm-prone or tree-covered lot
The Malarkey line
Impact resistance runs through the whole lineup — UL 2218 Class 3 standard on entry Highlander AR, Class 4 on Vista AR and Legacy — and the NEX SBS-modified composition flexes under impact instead of cracking.
Resale or premium neighborhood
The CertainTeed line
The broadest color and style selection and strong Twin Cities recognition, from Landmark up to Presidential Shake TL where the comps call for a designer profile. Wind coverage upgrades to 130 mph with the right accessories.
You need a Class 4 roof
Either brand delivers
CertainTeed gets there with its ClimateFlex versions; Malarkey gets there one step up the line with Vista AR or Legacy. If Class 4 is the requirement, the choice comes down to color, budget, and how your quote lands.
Certified for both brands — the recommendation follows your roof's exposure, climate risk, and budget, not our supplier.
Questions
I've installed both brands on hundreds of Twin Cities roofs. Here's what homeowners ask most.
Ready to choose the right shingle for your Minneapolis home?
I'll walk you through both options and recommend based on your roof's exposure, climate risk, and budget. Go deeper on CertainTeed shingles and Malarkey shingles.
About
Why I'm the honest broker on this comparison
I'm certified for both CertainTeed ShingleMaster and Malarkey Emerald Pro. That means I have no financial stake in which one you choose—only in getting the right shingle on your roof.
CertainTeed ShingleMaster certified
Malarkey Emerald Pro certified
Reviewed by Joe Dvorak, Owner
