Summary:
- BP Mystique shingles offer some of the best protection in Canada, while Malarkey’s use of upcycled materials highlights the brand’s commitment to sustainability.
- Other common brands like Atlas Pinnacle Pristine, CertainTeed Landmark, and IKO Cambridge tend to offer less comprehensive protection for rooftops or fewer eco-friendly features.
- When considering warranty, it’s vital to factor in your contractor’s installation warranty on top of the Limited Lifetime warranty offered by most brands. Our Big 5 Year Warranty guarantees your new shingles for 5 years from the installation date.
- We recommend BP Mystique or Malarkey shingles for the roof replacements we conduct in the Calgary area. Contact us for a free quote.
Your roof is arguably the most important part of your home’s exterior, so putting high-quality shingles on it is a must. But with all the different shingles brands available to Canadians, choosing the right one can feel impossible. That’s why we’re here to help.
See also: 3 Common Roof Repairs Your Home Will Eventually Need
We recommend BP Mystique or Malarkey shingles for the vast majority of Calgary roofs we work on. Find out why below, along with how these options compare to other common brands.
What Are the Top Roof Shingles Brands in Canada?
Here’s a quick overview of both brands we use at Big 5, along with a few other choices you’ll find on residential rooftops across the country:
- BP Mystique: These shingles use Weather-Tite™ technology to provide your roof with maximum environmental protection. Their appearance can also tastefully mimic classic wood shakes, making them a great-looking choice for homes.
- Malarkey: This brand uses upcycled materials to create shingles that are both resilient and highly sustainable. Their unique polymer-modified asphalt is better for the environment and longer lasting than the materials used by many other brands.
- Atlas Pinnacle Pristine: You’ll find these shingles used on some homes because of their Scotchguard protectors and resistance to algae.
- CertainTeed Landmark: CertainTeed’s Landmark series uses a dual-layer design with a fiberglass base and a protective outer layer that helps resist algae growth and may offer some extra protection against fire.
- IKO Cambridge: IKO Cambridge shingles use a unique dimensional profile to create the appearance of wood shakes for homeowners on a budget.
See also: The Complete Guide to Shingles (& What Type Is Best for You)
Comparison Chart: Canadian Roof Shingle Brands At a Glance:
Here’s how these popular brands compare in terms of their durability, warranty, aesthetics, and other key features:
BP Mystique | Malarkey | Atlas Pinnacle Pristine | CertainTeed Landmark | IKO Cambridge | |
Special Protection | Resists water infiltration, Class A fire, Class 3 impact | Ice and water barrier, smog-reducing granules | Class 3 impact, algae resistant | Class A fire, Class F wind, algae resistant | Algae and water resistant |
Wind Speed | 110-135 mph | 110 standard, 130 if upgraded | 130 mph | 110 standard, 130 if upgraded | 110 standard, 130 if upgraded |
Warranty | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime or “Your Choice” Warranty (matched to any competitor’s standard warranty) | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime | Limited Lifetime with 15-year Iron Clad Protection Period |
Aesthetics | 12 available colours and textures | Highlander®, Vista®, Legacy®, or Windsor® series (starter series also available) | 16 available colours | 24 available colours | 8 available colours |
Sustainability | Locally sourced materials minimize transport emissions | Upcycled materials reduce landfill waste, smog-reducing granules help clean the air | Certain colours offer higher solar reflectivity to absorb less heat | Made with recycled materials | Made with some recycled materials, solar reflective colours available |
Key Takeaways & Winners by Category
Protection
Winner: BP Mystique
BP Mystique comes out ahead pretty clearly in this category. Other options offer decent water, fire, or impact protection, but not all together in the same package to the same extent that these shingles do.
Wind Speed Rating
Winner: BP Mystique
Most of the shingles we looked at have a standard wind speed rating of 110mph (for the record, that’s 180 kmph—don’t ask us why major brands sold in Canada measure wind speed in miles per hour, they just do). You can upgrade them to 130 mph (210 kmph), but BP mystique goes one better with an upgrade option for 135 mph (approximately 217 kmph) instead.
Warranty
Winner: Tie BP Mystique or Malarkey (via our Big 5 Year Warranty)
Pretty much every decent shingle brand will give you a Limited Lifetime warranty—but that just covers the manufacturing, meaning it only applies in specific cases where the product is defective.
To really understand how to get the best warranty for new shingles, you also have to look at the warranty your contractor offers for installation services. Our Big 5 Year Warranty guarantees our work for 5 years after the installation date, which is head and shoulders above what most other contractors in Canada offer—so the two brands we carry (BP Mystique and Malarkey) come out on top in this category as well.
Aesthetics
Winner: CertainTeed Landmark
When it comes to the sheer number of colours available for residential shingles, CertainTeed Landmark beats out the other brands we looked at.
Sustainability
Winner: Malarkey
Environmental responsibility is one of Malarkey’s top priorities, so it’s no surprise that they win outright in this category.
Not only does Malarkey use upcycled rubber and plastic materials to produce their shingles and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, but their innovative use of smog-reducing granules actually cleans the air by transforming particles of nitrogen-oxide gasses that contact them into water-soluble ions.
Choosing the Best Shingles for Your Calgary Rooftop
At the end of the day, we stand proudly behind the two shingle brands we recommend for most homes—and with good reason. For comprehensive protection and quality, you can’t go wrong with BP Mystique. If sustainability is a priority for you, Malarkey is the industry leader. And with our unbeatable installation warranties, you can rest assured that your new shingles will stand the test of time.
Contact us to get a free quote on new roofing shingles today, or browse the FAQ below to learn more. We look forward to helping you keep a sturdy roof over your head.
Frequently Asked Questions about BP Mystique & Malarkey Shingles
How much will new shingles for my roof cost?
Every home is different. The cost for putting new shingles on your roof depends on the brand you choose as well as:
- The square footage of your roof
- The slope of your roof—steeper slopes and features like chimneys can complicate installation
- Whether you opt for extra features like underlayments, a special hip and ridge, etc.
We’ll provide you with an upfront quote for your installation when you contact our team.
How long does it take to install new roof shingles?
When you have Big 5 replace the shingles on your roof, you can expect the job to take about 3 days from quote to completion. More time may be required for houses with larger roofs, as well as installations during inclement weather conditions—but we’ll always advise you of our projected timeline during your initial consultation.
Why do your recommended brands focus on architectural shingles instead of 3-tab asphalt shingles?
Architectural shingles last longer, have better wind resistance, and look better than older 3-tab shingles, which are typically considered a budget option for modern homes.