
Welcome to the Northwind Exteriors Learning Center—your essential guide for protecting and enhancing your home's exterior in Park Ridge, Glenview, Des Plaines, and the surrounding suburbs.
We don't just provide exterior services; we provide certified expertise. Northwind Exteriors holds the highest credentials in the industry:
Siding: James Hardie Alliance Elite Contractor
Roofing: Malarkey Certified Premium Contractor
This dual certification ensures you receive superior workmanship and the industry's best warranties on both major components of your home's envelope.
What You'll Find Inside Our Expert Guides:
Premium Roofing Expertise: Transparent guides on Malarkey products, the value of Certified Premium Contractor installation (including the enhanced warranty), proper ventilation, and the necessity of Ice and Water Shield.
Elite Siding Clarity: Localized cost guides, including the real price of James Hardie siding, and the importance of hiring an Elite Contractor for a valid 30-year warranty.
Weather Defense & Solutions: Urgent solutions for local threats like ice dams (from our division, Ice Dam Liquidators of Chicago) and proactive steps to prevent storm damage.
Home Value: Tips on maximizing curb appeal, improving energy efficiency, and boosting your home's resale value through strategic exterior upgrades.
Start exploring our latest articles below to secure your home's investment with certified quality.

January often delivers the year's lowest temperatures, which is the nemesis of standard asphalt shingles. Traditional shingles can become brittle, leading to cracking, breakage, and granule loss—the key sign of aging. Malarkey solves this vulnerability with its patented NEX® Polymer Modified (Rubberized) Asphalt.
This innovative core maintains elasticity and flexibility, even in extreme cold. The rubber-like quality means the shingle can expand and contract with the wild temperature swings of winter without deteriorating.
This sustained resilience is critical to keeping the shingle's Class 4 Impact Resistance intact, offering superior protection against ice and debris that can be thrown by winter storms.
Beyond performance, Malarkey also incorporates upcycled rubber and plastics, making it an eco-conscious choice that reduces landfill waste while enhancing material strength. For homeowners, this means a roof that lasts longer, requires fewer repairs, and provides reliable protection during the harshest months.
If your current roof is showing signs of winter wear, contact Northwind Exteriors—your certified Malarkey installer—to assess its condition and prepare for a safer new year.