Getting a new roof installed is a substantial investment. It is easy to get caught up in comparing different shingles and choosing the most attractive roof profile. However, amidst all this, it is imperative that you don’t forget about the warranty protection.

Having adequate warranty protection against manufacturing defects in the roofs’ materials is important to prevent any inconveniences in the long run. Roofing contractors provide different types of warranties and they can seem overwhelmingly complicated at the start.

However, once you understand all the coverage options, you will be able to make an informed decision about your roofing material, who installs it, and what sort of warranty is needed.

Basic Roofing Warranties

There are three main types of warranties that roofing companies usually offer. They are:

• Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty
• Workmanship Warranty
• Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty

Each type of warranty is explained in detail below as follows:

Standard Manufacturers’ Warranty

The industry standard is that roofing shingles come with a basic limited lifetime warranty. A lifetime warranty simply means that your coverage applies as long as you own your home.

However, the degree of protection you receive depends on what the manufacturer means by “limited”. Some manufacturer warranties only cover the cost of defective materials. This means you are responsible for the labor charges to remove and dispose of failed shingles.

Other manufacturers cover the cost of replacing defective shingles for the first few years. After this period is over, they offer prorated coverage. If a shingle breaks or is found defective, during the initial period, the manufacturer will provide you with replacement shingles at no cost. The manufacturer also bears labor costs for the installation of the replacement shingles. However, the tear-off and disposal costs have to be taken care of by the owner of the house.

At this point, it is important to understand that these standard manufacturer warranties only provide coverage against factory defects. They may not hold if a shingle fails prematurely because mistakes were made during installation.

Contractor Workmanship Warranties

The contractor that you hired to install your roof system plays an important role in the performance and longevity of the shingles. Reputable contractors provide their customers with a workmanship warranty that covers misapplication. The length of the warranty can vary depending on the contractor, but consumers should look for a 10 year transferable workmanship warranty. If you don’t get an enhanced warranty through the manufacturer to cover the workmanship warranty, make sure your contractor provides you with their own applicable warranty paperwork.

Note that these warranties only cover the cost of labor and any materials needed to make necessary repairs in case there were any issues with the workmanship and installation.

Contractors’ warranties exclude:

• Storms, high wind, and impact damage
• Water damage due to ice dams
• Damages done to the roof if it was altered after installation
• Harm caused by foot traffic
• Leaks triggered by falling tree limbs or wind-driven debris

Enhanced Manufacturer Warranties

This is comprehensive coverage offered mostly by well-established and reputable roof manufacturers. They are usually offered by shingle companies that understand the direct connection between installation quality and how well their roofing products perform long-term.

Most enhanced warranties provided by manufacturers are available only to certified contractors of that manufacturer. These contractors are vetted by the manufacturer with specific requirements including length of time in business, financial viability, licensing, industry reputation, and training. The upgraded warranties require specific installation of the entire roof system, not just the shingles. Brand-specific accessories are required and may include underlayment, ice and water shield (peel and stick), starter shingles, hip and ridge caps and vents. The method of installation is also a requirement that certified contractors understand and provide.

Some enhanced warranty options also include up to 25 years of workmanship coverage by the manufacturer against installation errors and lengthy, non-prorated, or continuous coverage for defective materials.

A good manufacturer’s warranty should also be fully transferable without proration for at least ten years. This means that in the event of a sale, the next homeowner receives the same benefits of that enhanced warranty. This is another indication that the shingle manufacturer is confident enough in the quality of its product and its certified installers to stand behind its warranty.

Warranty Registration

Depending on the manufacturer, a certified contractor will register your enhanced warranty on your behalf and you should receive paperwork either through your contractor or directly from the shingle manufacturer. Make sure you read and understand the document and any transfer requirements in the event you sell your home. Keep a file for your new roof and advise your insurer of the replacement, the materials used on the roof and the details of the warranty.

About AKRoN Roofing

AKRoN Roofing provides transferable, ten year workmanship warranties on all sloped roof installations and can offer up to 25 year workmanship warranty with a GAF or CertainTeed roof. We hold the highest installation standards on all our roofs and we educate homeowners about products, installation and warranties. AKRoN Roofing is a proud member of the Alberta Allied Roofing Association.

We offer various products for sloped roof replacements with a Class 4 rating from UL, including SBS modified architectural shingles, Euroshield recycled rubber shingles and F-wave Synthetic shingles. Our other services include, but are not limited to, residential re-roofing with asphalt shingles, TPO and 2-ply membranes for flat roofing, roof repairs, and inspections of all types of roofing material by our qualified team.

AKRoN Roofing is proud of its A+ rating with BBB plus other certifications and accreditations. You can check out our accreditations and certifications here. Contact us here for more information.