Are you looking for a new roof and torn between GAF Timberline HDZ and Malarkey Vista shingles? You’re certainly not alone; GAF Timberline HDZ and Malarkey Vista are two of the most popular premium asphalt roofing options in 2025.
At Hoel Roofing, we’ve seen plenty of both types of shingles in the wild, and we want to help you make the best decision for your home and budget. We install Marlarkey Shingles, but we don’t install GAF shingles. We routinely inspect, repair, and replace roofs with every major shingle brand, so we see how they perform years after the sales brochure claims fade. Our goal isn’t to push one brand over another; it’s to give you an honest, real-world breakdown so you can choose what truly fits your home, your weather conditions, and your long-term goals.
We have also worked on roofs across Indiana homes for nearly a decade, from hail-prone neighborhoods in Columbus to windy areas near Richmond. We know how these shingles actually perform; not just on paper, but in real homes exposed to Midwest weather.
In this guide, we’ll give you a clear, side-by-side look at cost, performance, durability, warranty, and curb appeal. By the end, you’ll know exactly which shingle best fits your home, budget, and long-term goals.
When evaluating roofing shingles, it’s not just about the brand name; it’s about performance, cost, and long-term value. To give you the clearest picture possible, we compared Malarkey Vista and GAF Timberline HDZ shingles across six key performance categories:
Indiana roofs face freeze-thaw cycles, high winds, and occasional hail. We examined each shingle’s impact resistance, flexibility, and wind rating to see which holds up best over time. Strong shingles reduce the risk of leaks, storm damage, and repeated repairs, saving you money and stress over time.
In this article, we look beyond just material pricing to include installation, warranty coverage, and lifespan. The goal: determine which shingle offers the lowest cost per year of service, not just the cheapest upfront cost.
A roof is only as good as the warranty behind it. Below, you’ll see we compared each manufacturer’s wind, algae, and workmanship coverage, along with how easy it is for homeowners to qualify for complete protection through certified installation.
Shingles affect your home’s curb appeal. Choices in color, texture, and design can complement your home’s architecture and increase resale value.
Even the best shingles won’t perform well if installed poorly. We considered installer certification requirements, regional availability, and installation complexity, all of which affect warranty coverage and overall cost.
Indiana’s climate puts roofing materials through just about everything: strong winds in spring, hail in summer, and freeze-thaw cycles in winter. To see which shingle holds up better over time, we compared Malarkey Vista® and GAF Timberline HDZ® across the factors that matter most to Indiana homeowners.
Both shingle lines are built to withstand high Midwest winds, but they use different technologies to stay in place.
Bottom Line: Both shingles perform exceptionally well in windy regions like Indiana. Malarkey’s flexibility helps prevent cracking, while GAF’s LayerLock™ bond provides unmatched wind warranty coverage.
Both shingles are rated to perform well in hail-prone areas, but the materials differ:
Bottom Line: Malarkey Vista® has a slight edge in freeze-thaw durability and long-term flexibility, while GAF HDZ remains strong for general impact resistance and offers upgrade options for extreme weather.
Indiana’s humidity and shaded neighborhoods make algae growth a common concern. Both brands address this with protective granules:
Bottom Line: Both provide long-term protection from roof streaking, though Malarkey’s dual-metal granule system may offer slightly longer resistance in Indiana’s humid summers.
No difference here, both products carry a Class A fire rating, the highest available for residential roofing materials.
Either choice ensures top-tier safety and compliance with Indiana building codes.
| Shingle | Avg. Material Cost per sq. ft. | Installed Cost (2,000 sq. ft.) |
| Malarkey Vista | $6.00 – $6.75 | $12,000 – $13,500 |
| GAF HDZ | $4.50 – $5.50 | $7,000 – $11,000 |
Pricing depends on factors like labor costs, tear-off complexity, and underlayment type. If you want a cheaper option, GAF Timberline HDZ® is your best bet.
If you plan to stay in your home long-term or live in areas that experience hail or heavy snow, the extra durability of Malarkey Vista may justify the higher price tag.
Both shingles are architectural-style, meaning they have depth, shadow lines, and dimensional appeal.
GAF HDZ offers way more options than Malarkey Vista, so if you want a variety of colors to choose from, you may lean more towards GAF.
| Feature | Malarkey Vista | GAF Timberline HDZ |
| Algae Protection | Scotchgard Lifetime | StainGuard Plus |
| Wind Coverage | Up to 110 mph | Unlimited (Wind Proven) |
| Transferable Warranty | Yes | Yes |
| Installer Requirement | Certified Contractor | Certified Contractor |
GAF’s Wind Proven coverage is unmatched for homeowners in windy parts of Indiana. However, Malarkey’s Scotchgard protection gives it an edge against algae streaks and discoloration in humid regions. Extended warranties are also available through Malarkey Certified Contractors.
| Category | Malarkey Vista | GAF Timberline HDZ |
| Cost | $600–$675+ | $450–$550 |
| Durability | Excellent (rubberized asphalt) with The Zone® Nailing Area | Good with Advanced Protection® Shingle Technology |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime + enhanced options | Lifetime Limited Warranty† |
| Color Range | Moderate | Extensive |
| Availability | Regional | National |
Are Malarkey shingles worth the price?
Yes, they’re built for long-term durability, especially in areas with frequent hail or temperature swings.
How long do GAF HDZ shingles last?
Typically 25–30 years, depending on climate and maintenance.
Can you mix brands on the same roof?
Not recommended. Mixing voids warranties and causes uneven aging.
Which shingle is better for solar installation?
Both work well, but GAF’s flat nailing zone makes solar panel mounting slightly easier.
Both shingles are excellent choices; the difference comes down to your priorities:
Choose Malarkey Vista if you:
Choose GAF Timberline HDZ if you:
The “better” option truly depends on your home’s location, your budget, and your long-term goals, and we help homeowners across Indiana make that choice confidently.
If you’re in the market for an installer, we are registered installers of Owens Corning and Malarkey Shingles. However, we do not install GAF shingles. If you’re curious about why, please read our guide on GAF Shingles, which includes pros and cons.
Toyosi Ogunsola is the Content Manager at Hoel Roofing & Remodeling in Rushville, IN, where she oversees the creation of educational, trustworthy content about roofing, remodeling, and home improvement. With a master’s degree in Emerging Media Design and Development and a background spanning content strategy, UX research, and digital marketing, Toyosi combines data-driven insights with clear, engaging writing to help homeowners make informed decisions. Passionate about translating complex roofing topics into helpful resources, she works closely with Hoel’s team of roofing experts to ensure every piece of content is accurate, practical, and user-focused.
