Shingles are just one piece of the puzzle.
That’s exactly what I’ve seen managing a bunch of properties over the years. Here’s what stood out for me:
- Swapped to Malarkey on two buildings after a nasty hailstorm—held up great, but didn’t notice much change in attic temps either.
- Biggest difference came after we realized half the soffit vents were painted shut (facepalm). Once those were cleared and baffles added, attic felt way less like a sauna.
- Energy bills? Dropped about 8% over summer, but honestly, it was a combo of fixing vents and topping up insulation. Hard to say which did more.
- One building had “cool roof” shingles (not Malarkey) and I thought they’d help more than they did. Still needed proper airflow or it was just trapping heat.
If you’re looking at shingles mainly for attic temp, I’d say don’t expect miracles. They help with hail and maybe a bit with UV, but ventilation and insulation are where you get real results. Sometimes folks get fixated on shingle color or brand, but if the air can’t move, it’s all kind of moot.
Funny thing—one tenant swore her AC ran less after we fixed the vents, but another said she couldn’t tell. Guess it depends on how sensitive you are to temp swings... or maybe just how much you watch your utility bill.
Anyway, if you haven’t checked every vent and insulation spot, that’s where I’d start before spending extra on “cool” shingles. Just my two cents from juggling a few too many roofs.
I’ve seen folks get tunnel vision on shingle brands, but honestly, I’ve crawled through enough attics to know airflow is king. Had a client swear her new “cool” shingles would fix everything—nope, attic was still roasting until we found a bird’s nest blocking half the ridge vent. Once that was cleared and some insulation patched up, temps dropped fast. Shingles matter for weather and lifespan, but if the air can’t move, you’re just baking whatever’s up there.
Malarkey’s got a good rep for durability and their “cool” shingles do reflect more sunlight than standard ones, but yeah, I’m with you—ventilation is the real game changer. I’ve seen folks spend big on premium shingles hoping to drop attic temps, only to find out their soffit vents were clogged with old insulation or even spider webs. Once that airflow gets sorted, even basic shingles perform way better in terms of keeping the attic from turning into a sauna.
If you’re set on Malarkey, they’re solid for weather resistance and might help a bit with heat, but I wouldn’t expect miracles if your venting isn’t dialed in. Personally, I’d check all the vents and maybe add a solar fan if you’re in a spot that really bakes in summer. Insulation matters too—sometimes it’s just a patch job away from making a difference.
Long story short: shingle choice helps, but it’s only part of the puzzle. I’d put airflow and insulation at the top of the list before stressing too much about brand.
I get the appeal of Malarkey, especially with all the marketing around their “cool roof” tech, but honestly, I’ve never seen a shingle brand make up for poor airflow. People get fixated on R-values and reflectivity, but if you’ve got blocked soffits or a ridge vent that’s more decorative than functional, you’re just shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic. Had a customer last summer who swapped from basic 3-tabs to Malarkey Highlanders—looked great, but his attic was still roasting because the insulation had slumped and there was barely any venting.
Not saying skip the upgrade if you like the look or need the weather resistance—Malarkey does hold up well in storms, I’ll give them that. But for attic temps? I’d poke around up there, check for any airflow issues first. Sometimes it’s as simple as a few baffles or clearing out old insulation that’s blocking the vents. If you’re in a real scorcher of a climate, maybe consider a ridge vent paired with a solar fan. Shingles are just one piece of the puzzle... airflow and insulation do the heavy lifting.
Shingles are just one piece of the puzzle... airflow and insulation do the heavy lifting.
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve managed a handful of buildings where folks thought fancy shingles would magically cool down their attic, but if you’ve got insulation slouching over your soffit vents—or worse, no vents at all—it’s like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.
Here’s my usual checklist before even thinking about shingle upgrades:
1. Pop into the attic (yeah, it’s hot and dusty—bring a flashlight and maybe a mask).
2. Check if you can see daylight through the soffit vents from inside. If not, insulation or debris might be blocking them.
3. Feel around for drafts near the ridge vent. If it’s dead still up there, it’s probably not working right.
4. Look for any dark spots or mold on the sheathing—signs that moisture’s hanging around due to poor airflow.
If all that checks out, then yeah, go wild with Malarkey or whatever brand you like. But honestly, I’d put money on baffles and maybe a solar fan making more difference than any shingle color or coating ever will.
Funny enough, had one owner spend big on “cool” shingles and skip venting fixes—his AC bill barely budged. Don’t let marketing do your thinking for you... roofs are a whole system deal.
