In the mountains outside of Bozeman, Montana, roofing contractor Forest Dennis and his team found gold in just seven days. Without digging or mining, his team installed 110 squares of Malarkey’s Legacy® shingles to earn the top distinction by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) in the 2024 Excellence in Asphalt Roofing Awards.

A Majestic Home with an Incredible View

“The home sits in the middle of one of Montana’s most beautiful valleys with historic, rustic, and western homes nearby. With Yellowstone National Park so close, there’s a prevalent amount of wildlife around,” said Dennis of the project site.

“The new black oak shingles really complement the original natural wood and stone walls on the exterior of the home by still giving the home its original rustic appearance – but now with an eye-catching roof system that will last many decades to come.”

Despite the setting, the project was not without challenges.

“Upon starting the project, our team discovered rotten sheathing throughout the entire roof that required replacement,” he said. “We had to take special care to ensure our material and roofing debris wasn’t blowing off of the project site, as this home is located very close to Yellowstone National Park,” he added.

The roof also has 57 different facets, which required some modification including custom valley metal, bent to fit multiple pitches and the removal of multiple dead valleys with new framing.

“We also experienced harsh weather a few days into this project. Dennis General Contractor’s team was able to react quickly to ensure the home was waterproof and provide the homeowners peace of mind knowing that the interior of their home would not be exposed to any water damage.”

Malarkey Product Solution

For this project, Dennis’ team knew Malarkey’s NEX® rubberized asphalt roofing shingles were the right choice – particularly because they “offer all of the necessary specs to withstand Montana’s extreme climate.” 

Malarkey’s Legacy® shingles were not the only products used on the job. The team installed several components of the Secure Choice™ roofing system including:

• Smart Start® starter shingles which provide increased wind protection at the eave and rake edges of the roof.
• RidgeFlex® hip & ridge shingles for extra impact protection at the more vulnerable high points of the roof and subtle, enhanced curb appeal. 
• Arctic Seal® ice & water barrier made for areas of the roof most susceptible to leaks.
• 420 OmniSeal® Base/Ply, a self-adhering, modified asphalt base and ply sheet for low-slope commercial roofing applications. 
• 430 OmniSeal® Cap, a self-adhering, modified asphalt cap sheet for low-slope commercial roofing applications.

The Dennis contracting team shared that they have several Malarkey projects currently underway through the end of the summer.  

Eco Offset

For a project of this scale – a staggering 110 squares – is also notable for its ecological offset thanks to the upcycled content in every Malarkey shingle. These values include:

• 22 Approximate rubber tires diverted from the landfill.
• 14,700 Approximate plastic bags diverted from the landfill.
• 7 Approximate trees ‘planted’ to help clean the air

ARMA Program

This program recognizes low and steep-slope asphalt roofing projects across North America based on four categories: Reasons for Selecting Asphalt, Performance, Beauty, and Distinction. For over 10 years, the awards program has celebrated excellence in the asphalt roofing industry. Projects are judged by a panel of industry experts and members of the trade media. The highest scores are recognized with prestigious Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.

“We garnered 94 submissions, with two projects achieving gold medal status, making it another triumphant year,” stated Reed Hitchcock, ARMA Executive Vice President in the news release. “The awards program continues to serve as a platform for honoring excellence, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in asphalt roofing, and inspiring the industry to reach new milestones.”

Past Malarkey Winners

Previously, Malarkey products have earned notable recognition. This is the first time, however, that Malarkey shingles have won a Gold award. Last year, the Legacy® shingles were given a Bronze award as part of a renovation project on the Island House Hotel in Mackinac Island, Michigan. Several years prior, our Windsor® shingles also earned an honorable mention for a residential project in Colorado.