I get the whole venting thing, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always the main culprit. Maybe I’m just lucky, but after putting on Malarkey Legacy (the “cool” ones), my attic temp dropped a good 10 degrees—didn’t even touch the vents yet. Granted, I’m in the Pacific Northwest, so maybe our sun isn’t as brutal. Still, I feel like shingle color and material can make a bigger dent than folks give credit for... at least in some climates. Anyone else notice that, or am I just living in a cloudier zip code?
I’ve actually noticed the same thing here in western WA. Swapped out some old dark shingles for lighter Malarkey ones on a duplex I manage, and the attic temp dropped noticeably—no vent changes either. I think you’re right, shingle color/material can be underrated, especially up here where the sun isn’t relentless. Venting still matters, but it’s not the whole story.
That’s actually super reassuring to hear. I’ve been stressing over this exact thing since buying my place last year—my attic was roasting last summer, and I kept blaming the vents, but now I’m starting to think the old black shingles are a bigger culprit than I realized. It’s interesting how much of a difference color can make, even in the PNW where we don’t get endless sun. I always thought lighter shingles were more of a “desert” thing, but your experience is making me rethink that.
I’ve been looking at Malarkey too, mostly because of the warranty and their reputation for holding up in our wet weather. The energy savings angle is a nice bonus, though I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting it to be so noticeable. Did you see any change in your cooling bills, or was it just the attic temp that dropped? I’m still figuring out what’s “normal” for this house, so any little improvement helps.
One thing I keep running into is conflicting advice about venting. Some folks say it’s all about airflow, others swear by shingle color. Maybe it’s really a mix of both, depending on the house? My place has decent ridge and soffit vents, but the attic still gets stuffy. I’m leaning toward lighter shingles now, especially if it means less strain on the insulation and AC.
Appreciate you sharing real-world results—it’s easy to get lost in marketing claims and forget what actually works for people in similar climates. Makes me feel a bit better about going with something like Malarkey Arctic or another lighter shade. Roofing decisions are weirdly stressful for something you barely see from the ground...
I totally get where you're coming from—when we moved in, I thought attic heat was just “how it is,” but swapping out our old dark roof for a lighter Malarkey shingle made a bigger difference than I expected. The attic’s still warm on the hottest days but not nearly as stifling, and the AC actually keeps up now. In my case, the cooling bill dipped a bit, though honestly, it was the comfort that sold me. You’re right, it’s probably a mix of venting and color—my vents are decent too and the stuffiness didn’t really budge until we changed shingles. Roofing decisions are weirdly anxiety-inducing for something you only see when you pull into the driveway… but it sounds like you’re on the right track.
- Lighter shingles definitely help, but I’ve seen plenty of attics stay hot even after a color swap.
- Venting’s a bigger deal than most folks realize. Ridge vents, soffit vents, even powered fans—if those aren’t dialed in, the shingle color only goes so far.
- Malarkey’s a solid brand, but I wouldn’t say it’s the only answer. I’ve seen similar results with other lighter shingles, even basic architectural ones.
- Sometimes, insulation’s the real culprit. I’ve inspected homes where adding a few inches of blown-in made a bigger dent in attic temps than any shingle change.
- One thing to watch: lighter shingles can show dirt and algae faster, depending on your area. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing.
- Roofing choices are weirdly stressful, yeah. But don’t let the brand hype get to you—focus on venting, insulation, and color as a combo. That’s what really moves the needle in most houses I see.
