Types Of Roofing Warranties You Should Know

Is a roof replacement in your future? You may want to get it warrantied since it is a large financial investment.

Research shows that new roofs cost $10,000 each on average, with roofing projects costing anywhere between $8,500 and $14,300. So protecting such a large investment is very important to get the most out of your money.

There are different types of roofing warranties you should know about, so let’s examine the main types of warranties available for a new roof.

Standard Manufacturer’s Warranties

Most roof shingles come with standard warranties. These are also called basic lifetime warranties from the manufacturers.

These limited warranties cover homeowners while they own their homes. This is an industry standard.

A standard roof warranty will cover the expense of replacing any defective shingles. This will happen during your roof’s first several years.

In this situation, you will get the replacement shingles for free. You’ll then receive prorated coverage after that.

Standard warranties usually cover installation-related labor costs. However, they do not cover workmanship costs related to removing bad shingles. They also won’t help with disposing of defective shingles.

To get this coverage, you’ll need an enhanced warranty (more on this later).

Also, standard warranties cover only factory defects. They don’t cover shingles that have failed due to incorrect installation.

Likewise, standard warranties may not help if your roof has failed due to problems with other installed components. These might include a water and ice shield and box vents. They may also include underlayment and flashing.

Extended Manufacturer’s Warranties

Extended manufacturer’s warranties provide more coverage than standard manufacturer’s warranties. This type of warranty will cover a roof replacement if even just one roof component fails.

Extended warranties will also cover roof repairs for longer periods than standard manufacturer’s warranties.

To get this type of warranty, your roof materials must all come from a single manufacturer. In addition, a certified roofing contractor must install your roof.

This contractor must be experienced in installing roofing systems. They must do this based on manufacturers’ roof installation requirements.

Note that warranty coverage differs based on the manufacturer. One manufacturer may offer only a single extended coverage plan.

Meanwhile, major manufacturers might off two or more plans. These include CertainTeed and GAF, for example.

Extended warranties might come with several benefits. These include long-term coverage for any defective roofing materials. For instance, your extended warranty might cover replacements or repairs for five decades.

An extended warranty typically also covers your roofing system components. They usually exclude the following:

• Fasteners
• Flashing
• Wood decking

An extended warranty might also cover a workmanship installation error within a prorated time frame. The coverage may include disposal, labor, and tear-off costs.

Contractor Workmanship Warranties

A properly installed roof can last anywhere from 15 years to 50 years. Meanwhile, an improperly installed roof may fail in two years. This is why hiring a contractor with an excellent workmanship warranty is important.

This type of warranty will give you coverage against a contractor’s installation errors.

Let’s say your roof fails due to improper installation. The roofer you got the warranty through will pay for all necessary labor and materials. Then, they’ll repair your roof.

Installation Errors Covered By Workmanship Warranties

A workmanship warranty typically covers the failure to install your roof’s starter shingles. You may also use it if your roofer did not properly install your roof’s underlayment.

A workmanship warranty can also help if your roofer installed your roof when it was 39 degrees Fahrenheit or colder. You can use it if the roofer installed your roof when it was 86 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, too.

Workmanship warranties can also cover flashing on roofing valleys. In addition, they can cover penetrations. They might also cover rakes and eaves.

This type of warranty can furthermore help you if your roofing contractor didn’t use enough nails. Use the warranty if they used too many of them as well.

Likewise, a warranty may help if your roofing contractor drove your roof’s nails in too far. This can easily happen when they’re fastening the shingles.

Additional Workmanship Warranty Considerations

How long workmanship warranties last varies from one contractor to the next. Many of them last between two years and 25 years. Still, some companies provide lifetime warranties.

Longer workmanship warranty coverage periods are generally better. However, good workmanship warranties will protect homeowners against installation mistakes regardless of what the coverage terms are.

What if contractors offer only single-year roof replacement warranties? You may want to look for a contractor with a longer warranty coverage period.

Also, keep in mind that your warranty might cover a repair up to only a certain dollar amount. In addition, not all contractors offer warranty coverage for entire roofs.

This is why it’s important you compare different roofers’ estimates. This will help you determine which contractors offer the broadest warranty coverage.

Make sure the estimates you receive from contractors are in writing. These estimates should spell out what is covered. They should also tell you what is not covered.

Let’s say a contractor cannot provide this. It’s best to look for another roofing contractor who will.

In addition, ask roofing companies if their warranties cover materials or workmanship. Some cover both.

In some cases, contractors’ warranties will cover only workmanship. In this situation, you would have to cover your material costs.

How We Can Help with Roofing Warranties

The three types of roofing warranties include standard, extended, and contractor workmanship warranties.

An extended warranty may be worth the investment to enjoy coverage long-term. Likewise, a contractor’s workmanship warranty will protect you if a roofer did not install your roof properly.

At Hammerhead Roofing, we take pride in offering top-quality roofing replacement services. We also offer industry-leading roofing warranties. We can repair your roof as well.

Get in touch with us to learn more about our services, and schedule an appointment today!