Three premium shingle manufacturers, three different approaches, one brutal Illinois climate. Here's how GAF, CertainTeed, and Malarkey compare for Chicagoland homeowners — from a contractor who installs all three.
Wind Resistance
GAF Timberline HDZ: 130 MPH — LayerLock technology creates a mechanical bond without hand-sealing. The strongest wind rating of the three at the standard product level.
CertainTeed Landmark PRO: 110 MPH standard, 130 MPH with Integrity System — Matches GAF only when using the full CertainTeed accessory system. Standard rating is lower.
Malarkey Legacy: 110 MPH — Standard wind resistance. Solid but not class-leading.
Winner: GAF for out-of-the-box wind resistance without requiring additional accessories.
Durability & Flexibility
GAF: Standard oxidized asphalt. Good performance, industry standard formulation.
CertainTeed: Standard oxidized asphalt with enhanced fiberglass mat construction.
Malarkey: Polymer-modified (rubberized) asphalt. More flexible, resists cracking in freeze-thaw cycles, maintains pliability longer.
Winner: Malarkey — the polymer-modified asphalt is a genuine technological advantage for cold climates like Illinois.
Algae Resistance
GAF: StainGuard Plus — copper-containing granules, 25-year algae protection.
CertainTeed: StreakFighter — copper-containing granules, algae resistance included on Landmark PRO and above.
Malarkey: Scotchgard Protector by 3M — industry-leading algae resistance backed by 3M's technology.
Winner: Tie — all three offer effective algae resistance. Malarkey's 3M partnership is a slight marketing edge.
Warranty
GAF: Limited lifetime (materials). Enhanced to Golden Pledge (25-year materials + labor) when installed by a GAF Certified contractor.
CertainTeed: 50-year limited with SureStart PLUS (15 years non-prorated). Enhanced with Integrity Roof System for whole-system coverage.
Malarkey: Limited lifetime on Legacy and Highlander lines. Standard warranty structure.
Winner: CertainTeed for the most comprehensive standard warranty with the Integrity System option.
Aesthetics
All three offer dimensional, high-definition color blends that look excellent on Chicagoland homes. GAF offers the widest color range (20+). CertainTeed's Max Def technology creates the most natural-looking color variation. Malarkey's colors tend to be slightly more muted and natural.
Winner: Subjective — bring samples home and see which looks best against your brick, siding, and trim.
Our Recommendation
There's no wrong answer among these three. For most Illinois homeowners, we recommend based on priorities: GAF Timberline HDZ for maximum wind resistance, CertainTeed Landmark PRO for the strongest warranty system, or Malarkey Legacy for the most durable shingle formulation. We carry all three and can present samples during your free consultation.
Related Articles
GAF Timberline HDZ In-Depth Review
CertainTeed Landmark PRO In-Depth Review
Malarkey Roofing In-Depth Review
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