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CertainTeed vs. Malarkey Shingles: Which Should You Choose?

By the United Renewals Editorial Team · Last updated: September 2026

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Malarkey's signature feature is NEX polymer-modified asphalt — a rubberized (SBS) asphalt formula incorporating recycled rubber and plastic, marketed for greater strength and granule adhesion. CertainTeed's Landmark uses copper-based StreakFighter granules for algae resistance. Malarkey has historically been sold mainly in the central and western U.S. (roughly Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and states west), though its owner is actively expanding distribution eastward — always confirm current local availability.

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Two brands with real material innovation stories

This is a comparison between two manufacturers that each lead with a genuine material-technology story rather than just market share. Malarkey's NEX asphalt is polymer-modified (SBS rubberized) rather than standard asphalt, incorporating recycled tire rubber and plastic — the company markets this as delivering meaningfully greater strength and granule adhesion than unmodified asphalt shingles. CertainTeed's Landmark leans on its copper-infused StreakFighter granules, which slowly release copper ions with each rainfall to resist algae growth over the shingle's lifespan.

CertainTeed vs. Malarkey at a glance

CertainTeed (Landmark)Malarkey (Legacy)
Signature technologyStreakFighter copper-based algae-resistant granulesNEX polymer-modified (rubberized SBS) asphalt with recycled content
Standard wind rating110 mph, 15-year wind warranty110 mph Limited Wind Warranty
Enhanced wind ratingUpgradeable tier — confirm conditions locally130 mph Enhanced Wind Warranty with qualifying accessories
Sustainability angleCopper-based algae protectionRecycled rubber/plastic content in the asphalt itself
AvailabilitySold nationallyHistorically central/western U.S.; owner (Holcim) expanding east via a new 2026 Indiana plant
OwnershipPart of Saint-GobainOwned by Holcim since a 2022 acquisition

Pro tip from our network contractors

Malarkey's regional availability has historically stopped short of the East Coast, but its parent company Holcim is actively building a major new plant in Indiana specifically to expand eastward distribution. If Malarkey isn't available through your local dealers today, it's worth checking again in the near future rather than assuming it's permanently unavailable in your area.

How to actually decide

If a sustainability angle matters to you specifically — recycled material content in the shingle itself, not just the packaging — Malarkey's NEX asphalt is a genuinely distinctive selling point in the category. If you want a widely available national brand with a strong track record and a specific algae-resistance technology, CertainTeed's Landmark is the safer bet for availability, especially outside Malarkey's traditional core region. Confirm both a specific dealer's current stock and each brand's top-tier warranty requirements before deciding. See roof moss and algae removal for more on the algae problem both brands are addressing.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Malarkey's NEX asphalt?

NEX is Malarkey's polymer-modified (SBS rubberized) asphalt formula, which incorporates recycled tire rubber and plastic. The company markets it as delivering greater strength and granule adhesion than standard, unmodified asphalt shingles.

Is Malarkey available everywhere in the U.S.?

Historically, Malarkey has been sold mainly in the central and western U.S. Its owner, Holcim, is building a new plant in Indiana explicitly to expand distribution eastward, so availability is evolving — check with a local dealer for current status in your area.

Who owns Malarkey Roofing?

Malarkey was acquired by Holcim, a global building-materials company, in a 2022 deal valued at $1.35 billion. CertainTeed, by comparison, is part of Saint-Gobain.

What is CertainTeed's StreakFighter technology?

StreakFighter granules contain copper, which releases ions with each rainfall to resist the growth of algae that causes dark streaking on roofs — a long-term protective mechanism built into the shingle's surface.

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