- 100% agree, maintenance is the real MVP here.
-
“Doesn’t matter if you’ve got Malarkey, GAF, or some off-brand special—if the underlayment’s shot or the flashing’s loose, you’re basically rolling out the welcome mat for water and wildlife.”
- Seen plenty of “premium” shingles fail because someone skipped a step or cut corners on flashing.
- Hardware cloth with screws and washers is the only way I’ve kept squirrels out for more than a season.
- No shingle’s gonna stop a determined raccoon, but at least Malarkey gives you a fighting chance.
Can’t argue with that—maintenance is where the money’s at, not just the brand. I’ve seen neighbors drop big bucks on “lifetime” shingles, but when the flashing’s half-done or the gutters are clogged, it’s just a matter of time before something gets in. Hardware cloth is a pain to install but honestly, it’s saved me more than once from critters chewing through. Malarkey’s solid, but if you’re not keeping up with the basics, even the fanciest shingle won’t save your wallet—or your attic—from a raccoon invasion.
- Malarkey’s a good shingle, but I’d bet even they wouldn’t hold up long if you skip the basics.
- Seen it too many times—folks spend on “lifetime” materials, then ignore the stuff that actually fails first (flashing, vents, gutters).
- Hardware cloth is underrated. I had squirrels chew through my old soffit vents—cost me more to fix the wiring than the roof.
- If we’re talking zombie apocalypse (solar-powered or not), I’d want:
- Metal drip edge, properly sealed
- All flashing checked yearly
- Gutters cleaned every fall (I use gutter guards—cheap ones, but they help)
- Ridge and soffit vents screened with hardware cloth
- Attic access reinforced (learned that after a raccoon got in once—nightmare)
- Malarkey’s impact resistance is solid, but if you’ve got a weak spot anywhere, that’s where the “zombies” (or raccoons, or water) get in.
- I’m in the Midwest—hail and wind are bigger threats than zombies, but same rules apply.
- If you’re on a budget, I’d rather see someone do mid-range shingles and spend the savings on pro flashing and pest-proofing.
- Lifetime warranty doesn’t cover critter damage or leaks from clogged gutters anyway.
- TL;DR: Malarkey’s tough, but maintenance is what keeps your roof apocalypse-ready. Even the best shingle can’t patch a hole in your eaves...
I see this all the time—folks get fixated on the shingle brand and forget the rest of the system. Malarkey’s a solid choice, but if your flashing is sloppy or your soffit vents are wide open, you’re just inviting trouble (zombies or otherwise). I’ve inspected roofs where the shingles looked pristine but water was pouring in around a rusty vent boot. Honestly, I’d rather see someone spend less on shingles and more on good install and pest-proofing. The “lifetime” label doesn’t mean much if raccoons move in...
The “lifetime” label doesn’t mean much if raccoons move in...
Couldn’t agree more with this. I’ve seen way too many “lifetime” roofs get trashed in less than a decade because someone cheaped out on the flashing or skipped pest screening. Had a job last fall—customer insisted on top-of-the-line shingles (not Malarkey, but similar price point), but their old roof had these massive gaps around the plumbing vents and no critter guards. Squirrels basically had their own highway into the attic. Shingles looked brand new, but the insulation was shredded and there was water staining everywhere.
Honestly, I’d take a solid mid-range shingle with tight flashing and good ventilation over any “premium” shingle slapped on with shortcuts. Malarkey’s tough stuff, but even they can’t keep out raccoons or stop leaks if the details aren’t right. Sometimes folks forget it’s all about the system working together... not just what’s on top.
Zombie apocalypse or not, it’s usually the little things that get you first—water, critters, or just plain neglect.