Been looking into Malarkey shingles lately, and I'm kinda stuck between the Highlander NEX and the Vista AR series. Both seem pretty solid, but I'm wondering if anyone here has personal experience with either one?
I live in a pretty sunny area, so the whole cool roof thing is appealing to me (you know, keeping the attic from turning into an oven every summer). From what I can tell, both shingles have decent reflective properties, but I can't quite figure out if the Vista AR is worth the extra bucks.
Also, durability-wise, does one hold up better over time? My neighbor swears by Highlander NEX, says it saved him a bit on cooling bills, but I've read some good stuff about Vista AR too. Honestly, I'm just trying to avoid buyer's remorse down the line, haha.
If you've installed either of these shingles or know someone who has, I'd love to hear how they held up, especially after a few years.
- Installed both Highlander NEX and Vista AR on different jobs over the past few years. Here's what I've noticed:
- Highlander NEX is solid, reliable, and holds up well. I've had customers say similar things about energy savings, especially in hot climates. Your neighbor's experience checks out with what I've seen.
"My neighbor swears by Highlander NEX, says it saved him a bit on cooling bills..."
- Vista AR does have slightly better reflective granules, so on paper, it's a step up in terms of heat reflection and energy efficiency. But whether it's actually noticeable enough to justify the extra cost... that's debatable.
- Durability-wise, both are pretty comparable. I've revisited sites after 3-4 years, and honestly, I couldn't see much difference between them in terms of wear or fading. Both still looked sharp and intact.
- One thing I've heard from a customer who chose Vista AR was that their attic seemed cooler compared to their old roof. Could've been partly psychological, but they were pretty convinced it made a difference. Take it with a grain of salt though—every home's insulation and ventilation setup varies.
- Bottom line: if you're really sensitive to attic heat or your cooling costs are through the roof (pun intended...), Vista AR might be worth the extra bucks. If you're just looking for a reliable shingle that'll perform well in sunny conditions without overspending, Highlander NEX is probably the smarter choice.
Hope that helps clear things up a bit.
I've been following this thread closely since I'm also debating between these two shingles for my own roof replacement. Appreciate your detailed breakdown—it really helps clarify some of the finer points.
I gotta say, your experience lines up pretty well with what I've been hearing around my neighborhood. A friend down the street went with Highlander NEX about two years ago and he's mentioned more than once how pleased he is with the choice. He didn't exactly crunch the numbers, but he swears his AC kicks on less often now, especially in July and August. Could be anecdotal, but still encouraging.
"Vista AR does have slightly better reflective granules, so on paper, it's a step up in terms of heat reflection and energy efficiency. But whether it's actually noticeable enough to justify the extra cost... that's debatable."
That's exactly where I'm stuck too. The Vista AR sounds great on paper, but I'm skeptical about whether I'd actually notice a real-world difference. A cooler attic sounds appealing, sure—but how much cooler? Enough to justify the extra cash? I wish there were more concrete data or side-by-side tests out there.
One thing I wonder about is resale value down the line. Do you think potential buyers would even know or care about the difference between Highlander NEX and Vista AR? My gut says probably not...but maybe I'm underestimating how savvy homebuyers have gotten lately.
Anyway, your post definitely makes me lean toward Highlander NEX—seems like a solid balance of performance and cost without getting caught up in marketing hype. Still curious though if anyone else has firsthand experience noticing a significant difference with Vista AR in terms of attic temps or cooling bills over multiple seasons...
Your friend's experience with the Highlander NEX matches up pretty closely with what I've seen too. Had a customer last summer who switched from an older standard shingle to Highlander NEX, and he mentioned a noticeable difference in attic temps—nothing dramatic, but enough that he felt the upstairs rooms weren't baking quite as much on hot afternoons. Anecdotal again, I know...but still something.
As for Vista AR, yeah, the reflective granules look good on paper, but in real-world terms, it's probably not going to be night-and-day different. Most homeowners I've talked to haven't noticed a huge jump in energy savings over Highlander NEX. Maybe a slight edge if you're in an especially hot climate or your attic ventilation isn't great—but otherwise, probably not worth stressing over.
On resale value, honestly, most buyers won't know the difference between these two shingles unless they're really into home improvement details. They'll mostly just care that the roof is newer and in good shape. So I'd say go with what feels right for your budget and peace of mind...sounds like you're leaning Highlander anyway.
Anecdotal again, I know...but still something.
The Highlander NEX has held up well in several storm-damaged roofs I've inspected. Granule retention is solid, and wind resistance seems reliable even after a few years. Vista AR's reflective granules might offer marginally better thermal performance, but from a durability standpoint, I haven't seen significant differences. Unless your climate is extremely harsh, the Highlander NEX is likely sufficient and more cost-effective overall.
