Know Your Warranty

4/3/2019

When we take on big home improvement projects, we want those projects to last forever. But, in reality, this is not the case, especially when it comes to your roof. A new roof is a big investment, but the truth is our roofs are exposed to rain, snow, hail excessive heat and anything else mother nature can throw at it. So the likelihood of your roof lasting forever is not good.

That’s where warranties come in. The majority of roofing manufacturers offer a “lifetime” warranty on their products, but what exactly does that mean? If you’re having a new roof installed the chances are good that your shingles will come with a lifetime warranty. But there are limitations to the warranty that you need to be aware of so you can make an educated decision.

What does a Lifetime Shingle Warranty Cover?

Warranties are full of legalese that too often people just glance over or ignore completely. However, confusing as they may be, it’s important to know the details so you don’t run into any surprises in the future. At it’s base, a warranty is a promise from the manufacturer that you will be protected if something were to go wrong with the product your purchased. But how far does this protection go?

Below we answer this question in hopes of arming you with the knowledge to making an educated decision regarding your roofing warranty.

• Today, almost all shingles will come with a “lifetime” warranty, which means they are protected for as long as you own your home.

• All of these warranties will cover manufacturer defects such as excessive granule loss or inadequate sealing.

• Most manufacturers will only consider a problem a manufacturer defect if your roof is leaking. 

• CertainTeed is the only manufacturer that will cover defects even if your roof is not leaking.

• All warranties are front-loaded, meaning that they offer full coverage of materials and labor in the early years following installation. This period of time is typically around 10 years.

• After the front-loaded period, the shingles are covered at a decreasing rate as the shingles get older. As an example, say you discover a defect 15 years after your roof is installed, you will be covered for the shingles, but the labor will not be covered.

The last point is the cause of many homeowners’ frustration. Because of the use of the word “lifetime” homeowners are made to believe they will always be covered, however this is not the case.

Is an Extended Warranty Worth it?

If you opt for an extended warranty, these frustrations can be alleviated. For a fraction of the price of your new roof, you can take the front-loaded coverage of your lifetime warranty and extend it up to an additional 40 years, covering all aspects of your roof, including replacement labor. Extended warranties can be expensive, but you will have the peace of mind that if anything were to happen you are completely covered and will incur no unforeseen costs.

Replacing your roof is an important and expensive investment, and just like with any investment, you want to make sure you are getting value out of it. Doing your research and finding the right contractor and combining that with an extended lifetime warranty, you can have a beautiful roof that will last you and your family for many years to come.