Funny thing, I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on “cool” shingles, but then skip the attic insulation and wonder why their upstairs still feels like a sauna. I’ve crawled through enough attics to say—if your insulation’s thin or patchy, even the fanciest shingle won’t save you much. Malarkey’s a solid shingle, sure, but I’d put my money on beefing up the insulation and making sure your vents aren’t blocked by old insulation or, worse, a squirrel’s nest (don’t ask). Shingle color helps a bit, but it’s just one piece of the puzzle.
I get where you’re coming from—insulation and venting are huge, no doubt. But I’ve seen a few cases after big hail storms where the shingle choice actually made a bigger difference than folks expected, especially with these newer “cool” shingles. Had a neighbor swap out his old dark 3-tabs for Malarkey Highlanders (the light gray ones), and he swears his upstairs AC runs less now. Maybe it’s partly in his head, but I did notice the attic temp drop a bit when I was up there patching some storm damage.
I’m not saying skip the insulation—far from it. But if you’re already re-roofing, picking a shingle with better reflectivity can help, especially in places like Texas or Oklahoma where the sun just bakes everything. It’s not a magic fix, but it’s not just marketing fluff either. Sometimes it’s about stacking up those small wins... and keeping the squirrels out, obviously.
I’ve seen that same kind of thing with the lighter shingles, especially after a few summers working in attics. You can really feel the difference—like, I’d be up there patching decking under old black shingles and it was brutal, but houses with the newer light gray or white ones? Not as much of a sweatbox. Not saying it’s night and day, but it’s noticeable.
Malarkey gets brought up a lot by roofers I’ve worked with—seems like folks trust them for durability and hail resistance, which matters around here. The reflectivity is a bonus if you’re already stuck re-roofing. I used to think shingle color was just an aesthetic thing, but after crawling around enough attics in July, I’m sold that it helps a bit. Won’t fix everything if your insulation’s shot or you’ve got bad venting, but every little bit adds up.
And squirrels... man, don’t get me started. One chewed right through my buddy’s ridge vent last spring. Roofing never gets boring.
I used to think shingle color was just an aesthetic thing, but after crawling around enough attics in July, I’m sold that it helps a bit. Won’t fix everything if your insulation’s shot or you’ve got bad venting, but every little bit adds up.
That’s pretty much been my experience too. I’ve poked my head into enough attics in the summer to know the difference between “uncomfortably warm” and “why did I agree to this job again?” The lighter shingles don’t work miracles, but you can feel the temp difference, especially when you’re up there for more than five minutes. Still, like you said, if the insulation’s a mess or the vents are blocked, even the fanciest reflective shingles aren’t gonna save you from sweating buckets.
Malarkey comes up a lot in my reports—folks around here seem to like them for the impact rating, especially after that hailstorm last spring. I’ve seen a few roofs where the Malarkeys held up better than some of the other brands, but I wouldn’t say they’re invincible. Hail’s gonna do what hail does. The reflectivity is a nice bonus, though. I’ve noticed the lighter colors from them seem to keep attic temps a notch lower, but it’s not a substitute for good airflow. I always tell people, if you’re re-roofing anyway, might as well go for something that helps a little with the heat.
And yeah, squirrels... I’ve seen more ridge vents chewed up than I care to count. Had one house where the little guy actually dragged in a stash of acorns and built a nest right above the master bedroom. Homeowner thought they had a ghost for a week. Roofing’s never dull, that’s for sure.
If you’re weighing Malarkey, I’d say they’re solid, but don’t expect the color alone to fix a hot attic. Make sure your soffit and ridge vents are clear, and check that insulation while you’re at it. It’s all about stacking up the small wins.
- Had Malarkey put on last year (went with a lighter gray). Attic’s still toasty in August, but it’s not as brutal as before.
- Noticed a bigger difference after I crawled around and added more insulation, honestly.
- My neighbor swears by the impact rating—his roof looked way better than mine after that hailstorm, so there’s that.
- Squirrels here treat ridge vents like an all-you-can-eat buffet. I put mesh in, but they still try.
- If you’re hoping for a miracle, shingle color’s not it... but it does help a bit. I’d do it again, just with realistic expectations.