Malarkey vs GAF: Which Shingle Holds Up Better in Minnesota Cold and Hail

Two of your three roofing quotes pitch GAF Timberline. The third pushes Malarkey NEX. Both contractors swear their preferred brand is the better cold-climate choice. Both have decent reasoning. Both have an obvious financial incentive in steering you toward the product they have stocked, trained on, and earned manufacturer rebates from.

You are spending $40,000+ on a roof that has to survive 25 Minnesota winters and at least 2 hail events. The brand decision matters — but maybe not as much as the contractor steering would have you believe.

I am Noah Bergland, co-owner of Owl Roofing in Shoreview. I install both Malarkey and GAF. Below is the honest head-to-head comparison for cold-climate Twin Cities homes.

TL;DR — Malarkey vs GAF in one paragraph

Head-to-head comparison

The polymer vs SBS distinction in Minnesota

Malarkey NEX uses recycled polymer pellets blended into the asphalt. The polymer is engineered specifically for cold-flex performance — Malarkey markets the product around -40°F flex testing. The polymer also resists granule loss and improves long-term wear under freeze-thaw cycling.

GAF Timberline AS II uses styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) rubber blended into the asphalt. SBS has been the rubber-modified standard for asphalt shingles for decades and delivers similar cold-flex benefits.

In real-world Minnesota installs, the field-performance difference between polymer-modified and SBS-modified is small. Both are dramatically better than standard asphalt for cold climates.

Where Malarkey edges GAF

Extreme cold-flex testing. Malarkey has invested heavily in polymer engineering specifically for cold climates. For homes in the far north metro suburbs (Forest Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine) where -25°F nights are normal in January, the polymer-modified flex matters slightly more.

Sustainability story. Malarkey uses recycled polymer pellets and post-consumer-recycled rubber in their products. For homeowners who care about the environmental story, that matters.

Granule retention. Real-world Twin Cities installs of Malarkey NEX show slightly better granule retention than non-NEX products at 10–15 years.

Where GAF edges Malarkey

Color palette. GAF Timberline AS II is available in roughly 20+ colors versus Malarkey at 12. For architectural color matching, GAF has more options.

Contractor network depth. GAF certifies more installers in Minnesota than Malarkey. More options for homeowners shopping multiple bids.

Warranty service infrastructure. GAF is the larger brand with a more developed claims-processing system. If you need warranty service in 2046, GAF has the higher chance of still operating with the same systems.

“High-quality work and genuine attention to detail. Noah kept us informed every step of the way.”

— Brian Edge, Verified Google review

The decision framework

Pick Malarkey NEX (Vista/Legacy/Highlander) if: You are in the far north metro (Forest Lake, Lino Lakes, Blaine, Hugo) where polymer-modified extreme cold flex matters most. Sustainability matters. Your contractor has Malarkey-specific install experience.

Pick GAF Timberline AS II if: You need a specific color GAF carries that Malarkey does not. Your contractor has stronger GAF System Pro experience. You value the larger warranty-claims infrastructure.

Real talk: for most Twin Cities homes, both products perform similarly in the field. The contractor experience with the specific product is the bigger variable than the brand difference.

Class 4 insurance discount applies to both

Malarkey NEX and GAF Timberline AS II both carry UL 2218 Class 4 impact ratings. Major Minnesota carriers offer 10–30% premium discounts. Documentation must be filed within 30–60 days of installation per carrier requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malarkey better than GAF for Minnesota homes?

Marginally, in extreme cold-flex testing. Real-world performance in the Twin Cities is similar. Pick based on contractor experience with the specific product more than the brand difference.

What is the cost difference between Malarkey and GAF?

Both run $7–$10 per square foot installed in the Twin Cities for Class 4 products. Roughly equivalent.

Which brand has better cold-flex performance in Minnesota?

Malarkey NEX with polymer-modified asphalt edges GAF Timberline AS II with SBS-modified at the extreme cold end (-20°F+). Both dramatically outperform standard asphalt.

Will both brands qualify for Class 4 insurance discount in MN?

Yes. Both Malarkey NEX and GAF Timberline AS II carry UL 2218 Class 4 ratings. 10–30% discount with major Minnesota carriers.

Which brand has better contractor coverage in Minnesota?

GAF certifies more installers in Minnesota than Malarkey. More options for homeowners shopping multiple bids.

Where to start

To request a free reroof estimate, fill out a short form. We install both Malarkey and GAF across the Twin Cities.

For more, see best shingles for Minnesota winters, $100K+ reroof guide, and premium exteriors guide.