The Homeowner’s Complete Guide to Roofing Warranties

Having a new roof installed on a property you own is a major investment, and it isn’t a process that you should rush. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or property manager, you should take the time to ensure that you’re selecting the right roofing professionals and making a wise investment. One part of the process you shouldn’t overlook is roofing warranties.

A quality roofing warranty will protect you financially if something goes wrong with your new roof. However, these warranties can be quite complicated, and there are several different types of warranties that every homeowner should understand.

Here, we’ll look at the different roofing warranties you may encounter when working with roofing companies.

Types of Roofing Warranties

When you’re investing in a new roof for your property, there are a few different kinds of roofing warranties that you may encounter:

Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty

The most common type of roofing warranty is the standard manufacturer’s warranty. Typically, this type of warranty will be a lifetime warranty that lasts for as long as you own the property. A standard manufacturer’s warranty will usually cover the cost of defective materials when your roof encounters a problem. However, you will most likely be responsible for covering the labor cost for the repairs.

It’s also important to note that manufacturer’s warranties offered by roofing companies will only cover the cost of shingles and other materials with factory defects. For example, if the shingles fail due to a mistake made during installation, the warranty likely will not cover the damage. With most standard manufacturer’s warranties, defective materials will be covered fully for the first few years after installation. After that, the protection offered will be prorated.

Contractor Workmanship Warranty

When you invest in roofing installation or other roofing services, the contractor who handles the work will have a major role in the condition and longevity of the roof. Regarding reputable roofing companies, the contractor you work with during the installation will likely back their work up with a contractor workmanship warranty. This type of warranty is very common but can vary from one contractor to the next.

In some cases, a contractor workmanship warranty will provide lifetime coverage. This roofing warranty protects homeowners and property managers from material failures caused by worker errors and improper installation techniques. Typically, a contractor workmanship warranty will cover the complete cost of labor and material needed for the necessary repairs.

Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty

Many manufacturers of roofing materials offer extended manufacturer’s warranties, which help homeowners receive lasting value from their investment. Typically, this roofing warranty is available for an additional cost and can only be offered by authorized roofing contractors. Some of the benefits provided by extended manufacturer’s warranties include:

• Coverage for all roofing components except flashing, fasteners, and wood decking
• Long-term coverage for defective materials, which includes labor costs and can be extended up to 50 years
• Workmanship coverage for errors made during installation

Prorated vs. Non-Prorated Warranties

When you receive a warranty with your roofing installation, it will be either prorated or non-prorated. With a non-prorated warranty, your coverage will remain the same throughout the life of the warranty agreement. However, if the warranty is prorated, its coverage will gradually diminish. For example, a prorated warranty will provide you more coverage for a repair immediately after the installation than for a repair five years later.

If your attic isn’t properly insulated or ventilated, it will often be the warmest part of the house. And when the attic is hot, that heat is transferred to the roof, which can melt snow and create ideal conditions for ice dams.