Secure Your Home: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Roofing Warranties

The roof is a home’s first line of defense against harsh external elements. Given its importance, a high-quality roof is a significant investment for every homeowner.

The costs associated with this purchase make warranties a crucial element for agreements with a contractor or installer.

A solid roof warranty should guarantee that a manufacturer or roofing contractor will build a roof that will stand the test of time. It can cover the cost of installation or of specific materials, such as a roof shingles warranty. Others, such as a roof repair warranty, even cover expenses in case of any unexpected damage within a certain period.

Considering all the variables associated with a roofing warranty, homeowners must understand the options on offer.

Types of Roof Warranties

It may seem as though roof installation services can come with dozens of different warranties covering various elements. But these guarantees broadly fall into one of three categories:

Manufacturer’s Warranty

This roofing warranty usually covers all materials provided by the manufacturer, such as tiles or shingles. The duration could range from a few years to a lifetime. A new roof warranty only covers defects in various types of roofing materials at the point of purchase and not installation errors or associated labor costs.

For example, a manufacturer’s warranty on roof shingles would cover the cost of replacing defective shingles but not the labor costs of installing new ones.

Workmanship Warranty

To cover the cost of residential roofing installation, homeowners could opt for a workmanship warranty. This type of home roof warranty is usually provided by the contractor and could range in duration from a few years to decades.

It covers problems associated with poor workmanship during the installation process. It could also extend to repairs that may be needed down the line.

Extended Manufacturer Warranty

Some companies offer extended manufacturer warranties to provide long-lasting value to customers. Under such an agreement, manufacturers may agree to cover the total cost of the materials and the roof installation process, provided it is carried out with an authorized contractor.

This home roof warranty is usually only given to customers who purchase all materials from a single manufacturer.

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover?

While the terms of an agreement depend on the type of warranty in question, standard contracts cover a few basic issues related to material and installation. These include:

• Any leaks that develop as a result of faulty installation or defective materials.
• Protection against heavy wind damage.
• Premature cracking or splitting of materials.
• Aesthetic issues, such as discoloration or fading.

At the same time, there are specific issues a roof warranty will not cover. These include:

• Issues caused by lack of regular maintenance, such as the growth of mold and mildew, leading to cracks in the roof.
• Extreme weather conditions, such as blizzards, tornados, hurricanes, etc.
• A change in contractor, which nullifies standard workmanship warranties.

How Long Are Roof Warranties?

Depending on the type of warranty or the average life of a roof, a home roof warranty could range from two years to a lifetime.

A manufacturer’s warranty depends on the quality of materials. A standard shingle warranty usually lasts about 25 to 30 years. For those that use premium materials or metal roofs, warranties can even extend up to 50 years or even a lifetime.

These warranties may or may not be prorated. If they are, you will be expected to pay a percentage of the roof tile replacement cost after a predetermined period.

If you’re offered a longer roof warranty period that isn’t prorated, it’s best to check whether it can be transferred to a new owner in case you wish to move in the future. Some warranties can be transferred to a new owner once, while others can’t be transferred at all.

A workmanship warranty usually lasts from two to 25 years. This depends on the contractor in question; some of the most established ones offer lifetime guarantees.

Certain contractors may charge a little more for an extended warranty. This may be worth the investment, as it will still cost less than installing a new roof. To get a general idea of how much the latter will set you back, consult this roofing cost calculator.

An extended manufacturer warranty is the longest of the three, with an average of 40 to 50 years. It usually covers all material and workmanship related costs for this period.

How to Choose the Right Warranty

While taking all these factors into account, there are a few more best practices we recommend customers keep in mind when picking a contractor or manufacturer.

They are as follows:

• Go through the fine print: Read all statements in the warranty carefully, paying close attention to the duration, the terms, and limitations.
• Don’t neglect your roof: No warranty will cover the cost of issues that occur as a result of neglect. Make maintenance a priority by creating a roof inspection checklist. If you hire a third party to manage the roof for you, keep all receipts.
• Understand the value: Before opting for an extended warranty, conduct some basic research into its true value. For example, learning more about how often you should replace a roof can help you determine how much you should spend on a warranty.
• Find a reliable contractor: A home roof warranty could last two years or a lifetime—each comes with its own conditions and exceptions. Opting for a trusted and reliable contractor is integral to getting the best value.

The Bottom Line: Seek Shelter with AMECO

A roof warranty can be tricky to understand, but it is essential. Since a new roof is probably the biggest investment a homeowner will make, protecting it will have far-reaching consequences on their finances.

No one understands this better than AMECO. With almost 50 years of experience as one of the top roofing companies in California, we have assisted customers from all over the state with our dynamic roofing solutions.

For any questions about a roof warranty, roofing materials, or contractors, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.