Malarkey vs GAF Shingles: How They Compare

Malarkey and GAF both make good architectural shingles with Class A fire ratings and Lifetime Limited warranties, so the choice comes down to three things: hail, algae and which product lines you can get locally. The biggest difference is impact rating. Malarkey's most popular shingle, Vista, is rated Class 4 under UL 2218, the top rating, and every Malarkey shingle uses a rubberized, polymer-modified asphalt. GAF's best-selling Timberline HDZ is Class 3; GAF's Class 4 option is Timberline AS II. GAF puts a 25-year algae warranty on its Timberline lines, while Malarkey covers algae only on its AR and Scotchgard versions. Here is how they compare, line by line.

We are Patriot Roofing and Restoration in Maumelle. Atlas is our primary shingle line, and we install Malarkey, GAF and just about any other brand on request, for example to match an HOA rule or an existing section of roof. Every Malarkey fact below comes from malarkeyroofing.com and every GAF fact from gaf.com, checked in November 2026. We are not ranking either maker; we are laying out what each one says about its own products.

Malarkey vs GAF at a glance

Shingle	UL 2218 impact class	Algae coverage (maker's terms)	Non-prorated period (maker's page)
Malarkey Highlander	Class 3	None listed (AR version has algae-resistant granules)	10 years
Malarkey Vista	Class 4	None listed	15 years
Malarkey Vista AR	Class 4	25 years, blue-green algae only	15 years
Malarkey Legacy Scotchgard	Class 4	Limited lifetime, blue-green algae only	20 years
GAF Timberline HDZ	Class 3, on packages with the Class 3 statement	25-year StainGuard Plus, on logo packages	Not compared here
GAF Timberline AS II	Class 4, on packages with the Class 4 statement	25-year StainGuard Plus, on logo packages	Not compared here

All six carry a Class A fire rating on the maker's own page.

Hail and impact resistance

For a Central Arkansas roof, this is usually the deciding question. Class 4 is the highest UL 2218 impact rating, and Class 4 shingles may qualify for a homeowners insurance discount; discounts vary by insurer, so ask your agent before you choose.

• Malarkey. Malarkey says all of its shingles now use its patented NEX polymer-modified rubberized asphalt, which blends asphalt with virgin and recycled rubber and plastic polymers. In a March 2023 announcement, Malarkey said Vista moved up to Class 4 and Highlander to Class 3 for installations from January 1, 2023. Vista, Vista AR, Legacy Scotchgard and the Windsor Scotchgard designer shingle are all listed as Class 4.
• GAF. Timberline HDZ, GAF's #1-selling shingle, is rated Class 3, and only on packages that carry the Class 3 statement. For Class 4, GAF offers Timberline AS II, which GAF says uses a proprietary SBS-modified asphalt for flexibility and impact resistance. GAF is careful to say AS II is not warranted to withstand hail damage and that insurance discounts may not be available in your area.

So if you are comparing the shingle each brand sells most, Malarkey Vista is one class higher than Timberline HDZ. If you compare Class 4 to Class 4, it is Vista or Legacy against Timberline AS II. Our impact-resistant shingle guide explains what the classes mean.

Algae streaks in a humid climate

Black streaks on older roofs are common in a humid state like Arkansas, so algae coverage is worth reading closely.

• GAF lists a 25-year StainGuard Plus Algae Protection Limited Warranty against blue-green algae on both Timberline HDZ and Timberline AS II, available only on packages that carry the StainGuard Plus logo.
• Malarkey lists no algae warranty on plain Highlander or Vista. The AR versions use 3M copper granules; Malarkey lists a 25-year algae warranty on Vista AR. Legacy Scotchgard uses Scotchgard Protector with at least 10% 3M copper granules and carries a limited lifetime algae warranty. Malarkey says its algae warranties apply only to blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa magma).

If you go with Malarkey, the letters on the bundle matter: ask for an AR or Scotchgard line if algae is a concern.

Wind ratings and wind warranties

• GAF lists ASTM D7158 Class H and ASTM D3161 Class F wind ratings on Timberline HDZ and AS II, and a 15-year WindProven Limited Wind Warranty with no maximum wind speed. The catch is that WindProven requires GAF starter strips, roof deck protection, ridge cap shingles, and a leak barrier or attic ventilation.
• Malarkey lists a 110 mph standard wind warranty on Highlander, Vista and Legacy, and an enhanced wind warranty of up to 130 mph available through Malarkey Certified Contractors.

Both makers tie their best wind coverage to accessories or contractor programs, so ask in writing which accessories are in your quote.

Warranties and who installs the roof

Both makers use "lifetime" to mean the owner, not the roof. GAF defines lifetime as the time the original individual owner owns the single-family detached home. Malarkey describes its standard warranty as Limited Lifetime coverage against manufacturing defects and says it applies regardless of the contractor or accessories used.

Malarkey also offers enhanced warranties tied to its contractor program. Its Certified Pro and Certified Premium warranties require a Malarkey Certified contractor and a complete Secure Choice system (ice and water barrier, underlayment, field shingles, starter shingles, and hip and ridge), and Malarkey says the Premium warranty adds a 25-year workmanship warranty. A Malarkey roof installed outside that program carries Malarkey's standard warranty.

Malarkey lists these non-prorated periods: 10 years on Highlander, 15 on Vista and Vista AR, and 20 on Legacy Scotchgard. For a standard Malarkey warranty on a roof installed after July 2016, Malarkey says a transfer application is due within 60 days of the title transfer.

Whatever the label says, plan on about 15 to 20 years from any asphalt shingle roof in Arkansas heat and storms, because manufacturer ratings assume milder climates.

Size, bundles and other details

• GAF Timberline HDZ and AS II: 13-1/4 by 39-3/8 inches, 5-5/8 inch exposure, 64 pieces and 3 bundles per square.
• Malarkey Highlander and Vista: 13-1/4 by 38-7/8 inches, 5-5/8 inch exposure, 66 shingles and 3 bundles per square.
• Malarkey Legacy Scotchgard: 40 by 13-1/4 inches, 5-5/8 inch exposure, 4 bundles per square.
• Recycled content and smog: Malarkey says its asphalt uses upcycled tire rubber and plastic bags, and its shingles include 3M Smog-Reducing Granules that use sunlight to break down smog gases.
• Availability: Malarkey's product pages show colors by location, so confirm the line and color you want are stocked locally before you fall in love with a sample. GAF lists Timberline AS II as US only.

Where Atlas fits

We lead with Atlas, and we are open about why. First, 3M Scotchgard Protector is factory applied to the Atlas lines we install, and Atlas covers algae streaking for the lifetime of its warranty on its Pinnacle and StormMaster Shake lines. Second, because we are an Atlas PRO+ contractor at the Gold level installing full Atlas Signature Select systems, an Atlas roof we install and register within 60 days can carry Atlas's extended system warranty covering materials and labor together: a 15-year premium protection period on Pinnacle Impact and 20 years on StormMaster Shake.

For hail, Atlas Pinnacle Impact and StormMaster Shake are Class 4. A Class 4 impact-rated shingle is the heart of our Guardian package, which comes with a 10-year Patriot Leak Free Guarantee. Our Atlas shingle colors post shows the palettes.

If you want Malarkey or GAF from us

We will install either one. We do not claim any certification, preferred status or system warranty with Malarkey or GAF, so a Malarkey or GAF roof from us carries the maker's standard warranty plus our own written guarantees. On a roof replacement, those are the Patriot Leak Free Guarantee for your package term (Armor 15 years, Guardian 10 years, Defender 5 years, Shield 2 years), the No-Blame-Game Guarantee, the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and the Apples-to-Apples Guarantee. Our Leak Free Guarantee is a promise that the roof will not leak, which is stronger than a vague workmanship warranty. You can read GAF's side in more depth in our GAF Timberline HDZ review, and see how each package is built on our asphalt shingle roofing page.

Questions to ask before you sign for any shingle

• What is the UL 2218 impact class printed on the bundles going on my roof?
• Is it an algae-resistant version, and how long is the algae warranty?
• Which accessories are in the quote, and do they qualify for the maker's best wind warranty?
• Is the warranty shingle-only, or does it cover labor too, and who registers it?
• Does the roofer guarantee the roof will not leak, or only "workmanship"?
• Will I get a written inspection report with photos, and photos of the finished job? (On a full replacement we take 250 to 1,000 photos and send you a link to every one.)

This post is general product information, not insurance advice. Coverage and discounts vary by policy and insurer, so confirm with your agent.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malarkey better than GAF?

Neither is better across the board. Malarkey's most popular shingle, Vista, is Class 4, while GAF's best seller, Timberline HDZ, is Class 3. GAF puts a 25-year algae warranty on its Timberline lines; Malarkey covers algae only on its AR and Scotchgard versions. Compare the exact lines in your quote.

Are Malarkey shingles Class 4?

Vista, Vista AR, Legacy Scotchgard and Windsor Scotchgard are listed as UL 2218 Class 4 on Malarkey's site. Highlander is Class 3.

Does GAF make a Class 4 shingle?

Yes. GAF lists Timberline AS II as Class 4 on packages that carry the Class 4 statement. GAF says it is not warranted to withstand hail damage.

Which lasts longer in Arkansas?

Both makers offer Lifetime Limited warranties against manufacturing defects, which is not a lifespan promise. For any asphalt shingle in Arkansas, we tell homeowners to plan on about 15 to 20 years.

Does Patriot install Malarkey and GAF shingles?

Yes, on request. Atlas is our primary line, and we do not claim any Malarkey or GAF certification or system warranty.

Want to compare shingles on your own roof?

Book a free roof replacement estimate. We measure your roof, give you our 21-point inspection report with photos, and show you all four packages in writing, with Malarkey, GAF or any brand you want priced alongside Atlas.