Would Malarkey shingles survive a solar-powered zombie apocalypse?

Yeah, drilling into any shingle roof for solar is always a gamble, no matter the brand. I’ve seen Malarkey hold up better than some, but water’s sneaky - especially after a rough winter. Those rail-less systems are interesting...less to go wrong, in theory. Still, I’d trust a good installer over just fancy hardware any day.

Malarkey’s definitely tougher than most - my neighbor’s roof took a hail beating last year and barely lost a shingle. But yeah, even the best shingles don’t forgive sloppy installs. I’ve seen leaks pop up months after a “perfect” solar job...water always finds the tiniest gap. I’m curious about those rail-less systems too, but I’d still pick a crew that’s done a hundred installs over new tech any day.

I’ve seen Malarkey take a beating and still look good, but you nailed it - doesn’t matter how tough the shingle is if the install’s sloppy. Flashing details around solar mounts are where I see most leaks. Rail-less systems look slick, but without an installer who’s done it a dozen times? I’d be nervous, especially if zombies are stomping around up there...

Yeah, I’ve seen Malarkey hold up to hail and some gnarly wind, but if the flashing’s messed up, you’re just inviting water in - zombie or no zombie. Solar mounts are tricky. I watched a neighbor’s install where they skipped the sealant on a couple brackets... next rain, attic looked like Niagara Falls. Rail-less setups look clean but honestly, I’d rather have rails and peace of mind unless the crew really knows their stuff. Green roofs are even more finicky with penetrations - one bad detail and you’re growing mushrooms inside.

Green roofs are even more finicky with penetrations - one bad detail and you’re growing mushrooms inside.

That’s the part that always gets overlooked. I love a green roof, but every time someone wants to poke holes in it for solar or whatever, I get a little twitchy. It’s not just the waterproofing - it’s the layers, the root barrier, drainage, all of it has to be spot on. Miss one step and yeah, you’re basically farming fungi.

I know Malarkey shingles have a good rep for weather, but honestly, even the best shingle can’t save you if the install is sloppy or the flashing isn’t right. I’ve seen “zombie-proof” roofs fail just because someone rushed a penetration detail. Solar mounts are a nightmare if the crew doesn’t know how to work with living roofs. I’d rather have an ugly bracket and a dry ceiling than a sleek setup that leaks every time it rains.

If you’re mixing green roof with solar, I’d say double-check every detail and don’t trust anyone who says “it’s just like regular shingles.” It’s not.