Is Owens Corning better than Malarkey?

Whether Owens Corning is better than Malarkey depends on your priorities, as both are excellent brands but excel in different areas, and many contractors rate Malarkey slightly higher for premium performance. Owens Corning is considered better for installation technology, contractor network, and availability. Owens Corning Duration features SureNail Technology, a woven fabric strip in the nailing area that provides exceptional fastening strength and 130 mph wind warranty, which contractors praise for reducing installation errors and callbacks. Owens Corning also has larger distribution at Lowes and roofing supply houses, more color options, and larger network of Preferred contractors. Malarkey is considered better for impact resistance, cold weather flexibility, and algae protection. Malarkey Vista and Legacy feature Flexor SBS polymer-modified asphalt that provides superior flexibility in cold weather, Class 4 impact resistance rating for hail versus Owens Corning Duration standard which is not Class 4 unless you buy Duration Flex or Storm, and Scotchgard Protector algae protection from 3M with lifetime algae warranty versus Owens Corning's 25-year StreakGuard. Price wise, Malarkey is 10 to 25 percent more expensive at 120 to 180 dollars per square versus Owens Corning 100 to 150 dollars. For best installation technology and widest availability, Owens Corning is better. For hail-prone and cold climates where impact and flexibility matter, Malarkey is better and often rated as premium.