Mission-critical roofing: A fire station seeks stronger protection

By Malarkey Roofing Products. 

This reroofing project prioritized impact resistance and weather performance for a 24/7 emergency facility. 

When a 24/7 emergency facility like Fire Station 51 in Canyon Lake, Texas, requires a roof replacement, performance and durability are nonnegotiable. After incurring significant hail damage, the department sought a roof system upgrade that could withstand the extreme heat, hail and tropical storm conditions. 

Superb Roofing & Restoration completed the 158-square tear-off and replacement while the fire station remained fully operational. To ensure long-term protection and reliability, the project team selected a complete roofing system from Malarkey Roofing Products®, including the following:  

• Malarkey Vista® AR architectural shingles (Weathered Wood color) 
• Malarkey Smart Start® starter shingles
• Malarkey RidgeFlex® hip & ridge shingles
• Arctic Seal® ice & water barrier (self-adhering underlayment) 

Together, these components created a cohesive system designed to protect one of the community’s most mission-critical assets. 

“I can say this project meant a lot to our entire team. Supporting our first responders — who do so much for the community — was a privilege we don’t take lightly. We’re grateful for the trust placed in us and proud to know the fire station now has a roof built to stand strong through whatever comes next,” said Josh Janczewski, owner of Superb Roofing & Restoration.  

Why Vista® AR? 

Vista® AR is a high-performance architectural shingle engineered using NEX® polymer-modified asphalt for greater impact resistance than traditional asphalt. It’s UL 2218 Class 4 rated — the highest impact rating possible. Vista® also includes 3M™ copper granules to reduce black streaks caused by algae growth. IBHS (Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety) testing confirms that polymer-modified shingles like Vista® also offer superior resilience to wind-driven rain and extreme temperatures. For a fire station that sees intense sun exposure, high-humidity mornings and seasonal hail threats, this combination matters. 

“The best way to protect a mission-critical building like a fire station is with a roofing system that can handle South Texas heat, hail and heavy storms. Malarkey Vista® AR shingles come with algae-resistant roofing granules that inhibit algae growth and streaking — essential for preserving appearance and performance,” said. 

Josh also noted that the roof replacement was triggered by hail damage through insurance. The objective wasn’t simply restoration, it was prevention: 

“We’re going to a Class 4 impact-resistant Malarkey Vista® AR shingle. They’re smog-resistant shingles, and they are polymer-based, so they are very impact-resistant when it comes to hail. The goal is not to have this happen to them again,” he added. 

Arctic Seal® — Protection where it matters most 

Every roof has vulnerable transition points: valleys, around skylights and vents, roof-to-wall seams and perimeter edges. These are the places where water finds its opportunity to penetrate a roof. 

Arctic Seal® is a self-adhering ice & water barrier that uses NEX® polymer-modified asphalt. NEX® provides higher tear strength and better adhesion than conventional felt. Arctic Seal® helps block water intrusion exactly where it most commonly occurs. 

RidgeFlex® hip & ridge shingles 

The ridge is the most exposed location on a roof. It is also the area most frequently impacted by hailstones, wind uplift and airborne debris. RidgeFlex® ridge shingles use the same NEX® polymer-modified asphalt technology, 3M™ Scotchgard™ Protector algae-resistant granules, and are also UL 2218 Class 4 rated. These features provide a stronger defense at the roof’s highest stress points. 

Project scope 

Superb Roofing & Restoration began the project with a full roof tear-off down to the bare decking. Once exposed, the crew re-nailed the existing deck to ensure fastener security and replaced any damaged boards. Then, underlayment was laid down, followed by Arctic Seal® installed in valleys and around penetrations to protect the roof’s most vulnerable areas. 

Drip edge flashing was installed along all rakes and eaves to help control water runoff. Smart Start® starter shingles were placed along the base and rake edges to begin the shingle courses. This set the stage for the field shingles to follow. 

In total, the crew installed 453 bundles of Vista® AR shingles. Then, they capped all hips and ridges with 12 bundles of RidgeFlex® hip and ridge shingles. A total of 45 ridge vents were installed to ensure proper attic airflow and moisture control. Once all components were in place, Superb sealed all roof penetrations and vents, then painted and finished the vent components — both for corrosion resistance and improved curb appeal.  

Built for service — Not just shelter 

A fire station roof is not just a roof. It’s part of the continuity of emergency response. Superb Roofing & Restoration delivered a system designed for the real weather realities of Canyon Lake — and Malarkey is proud to be part of this public-service asset’s long-term resilience story. 

Original article and photos source: Malarkey Roofing Products