A new roof is a huge investment which requires careful considerations to ensure it lasts a lifetime. Many homeowners often get caught up comparing the myriad of attractive roofing materials available on the market while forgetting the roofing warranties offered by the manufacturer and roofing contractor. Roofing warranties can seem complicated, but they don’t have to be. Here are the three important things to understand about roofing warranties.
1. Shingle or Manufacturer Warranty
The manufacturer’s warranty is the most commonly known roofing warranty. Depending on the type of roofing material, most manufacturers offer warranties ranging between 20 and 50 years. The manufacturer’s warranty typically covers the roofing materials when they fail before the end of their life expectancy due to manufacturer defects, but you must ensure regular maintenance to keep the warranty intact.
Most shingles are covered by a basic limited lifetime warranty as an industry standard. A lifetime warranty often means the shingles are covered as long as you own your home. However, the degree of protection will depend on the definition of “limited,” and this can vary from one manufacturer to the next.
Some shingle warranties strictly cover the cost of defective materials and not any labor charges (removal, disposal, new installation). Also, others only cover the cost of restoring defective shingles for a specified number of years after which they offer prorated coverage. If a failure occurs during the prorated period, you’ll only receive a portion of the cost or a fewer number of new shingles.
The manufacturer’s warranty only provides coverage against factory defects and won’t cover shingles which prematurely fail due to installation errors.
2. Workmanship Warranty
It has been discovered most defects with roofs come from the installation process or sourcing the services of substandard contractors. This is why it’s important to research and find a reliable and trustworthy contractor to do things right the first time. Many reputable contractors do offer a workmanship warranty on their services which covers their labor on the project.
Reputable, skilled roofers are always confident to stand behind each installation job with a workmanship warranty. Although a few roofing companies can offer a lifetime warranty, the length of this type of warranty often varies widely depending on the contractor and the roofing material used. While a longer warranty period is generally desirable, a good workmanship warranty should cover failures occurring due to improper installation techniques or worker errors regardless of the coverage term.
However, you should note a workmanship warranty won’t cover damages caused by storms, high wind, impact, ice dams, foot traffic, falling tree branches, or alterations made after the roof had been installed.
3. Benefits of Roof Warranties
When choosing roofing materials and a contractor, it’s important to do your research and find the best warranties. A good warranty on a contractor’s workmanship shows they stand by what they do and care about you. Having good warranties will give you a sense of comfort in case something would go awry with your roof down the line.
Look for the coverage period first and choose the longest warranty coverage you can afford. This way, you wouldn’t have to worry about spending money out of pocket for a new roof in at least a few decades. More importantly, look out for the circumstances which could possibly void the warranty. Most manufacturer warranties require proof you have been regularly doing roof maintenance.
Roof Repair Specialist in Pasadena, CA has the expertise to not only provide the best roof warranties but to sincerely answer any of your questions about your warranties. We do much more than just roof installation and repair. We are also recognized for our reliable roof replacement services. Our exemplary track record of quality workmanship will shine through every roofing project you bring to us. Contact us today for a free estimate!
Roof Warranties—How Do They Work?
“How does a roof warranty work?” may be a common question for many homeowners. In terms of warranties, the most important thing to keep in mind is that they only cover a specific set of circumstances. For instance, a warranty may cover damaged roof parts and the labor needed to repair or replace them if the damage was the result of a manufacturing error.
However, some warranties only cover the contractor’s workmanship for a limited time. It safeguards you against the blunders of the roofing contractor during the course of any repairs, replacements, or installation. If their error is to blame, they will correct the problem at no additional cost to you; nonetheless, you may be responsible for the supplies they use.
Why Is Warranty Important?
Having a warranty on your roof gives you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected against sudden damage, especially when it’s fairly new. It is an assurance that you won’t be spending any more than necessary for as long as your warranty remains valid.
Routine roof inspections, cleaning, and repairs are the best way to prevent voiding a good warranty.
What to Ask When Looking at a Roof Warranty
A roofing estimate from a reputable contractor typically includes a warranty. If you want to get your money’s worth, be sure to raise the following questions:
- What is covered?
- How long is the coverage period?
- When does the warranty period start?
- What are the specific instructions to maintain a warranty?
Trusted roofers will not shy away from answering any queries you may have about warranties since they understand your need to be assured.
Does Your Home Warranty Cover Your Roof?
A home warranty is a different type of guarantee from a roof warranty—the former covers repairs, servicing, and replacement of home systems and major appliances. Most home warranty providers do not offer roof coverage, but some do as a policy add-on.
Roof coverage varies from one company to another, but the most common is their provision for leak repairs. However, some limit their scope of responsibility, emphasizing that they only cover repairs over occupied living areas and only up to a certain amount.
So, does a home warranty cover roof replacement? The answer is no. It only pays claims on leak-related repairs due to normal wear and tear and not by severe weather conditions, improper installation, and poor maintenance.
What Roof Repair Specialist Offers
Even if a home warranty does cover the roof, it’s still important that you work with a trusted contractor like Roof Repair Specialist to perform roof repairs and replacements on your California property.
We only offer the best roof warranties, so rest assured that you’re covered well and for a long period. Our warranties for roofing materials are unbeatable: up to 50 years for shingles, 20 years for Tile, and 20 years for Torch Down.
As for labor warranties, we guarantee our work on asphalt shingles for up to 25 years for new installations and 10 years for repairs. We also offer workmanship warranties on torch-down roofs, single-ply roofs, and tile roofs. These come in varying warranty lengths; however, we only use the best materials to ensure the longevity of the repair beyond the warranty.
