Manufacturer’s Warranty vs. Roofing Contractor’s Warranty
Manufacturer’s Warranty vs. Roofing Contractor’s Warranty
If your roof has been damaged due to severe weather such as hail damage or wind damage, or if the roof has failed and has begun to leak or show other signs of damage, you should be aware of the various types of warranties that may provide coverage for your roof.
The longest warranty on your roof is usually the roofing materials manufacturer’s warranty. Whether your roof is covered by asphalt shingles, metal roofing, tile, wood shakes or other roofing material, the manufacturer’s warranty typically covers the materials against defects for a period of years.
For asphalt shingles, this could be anywhere from 15 to 30 years although there are a few high end architectural shingles that carry 40 year or even lifetime warranties. Metal roofing, wood shakes, tile and slate roofing typically have warranties of 40 to 50 years or more. Manufacturer’s warranties have many exclusions including storm damage and improper installation and may not be transferrable to a new owner.
The roofing contractor who installed the roof generally provides a warranty on the workmanship and labor. These warranties are all over the board and can be anywhere from a year to ten years. Contractor’s warranties are only as good as the contractor. If the roofing contractor has gone out of business or left the area, the contractor’s warranty is pretty much worthless. You can protect yourself by having your roof installed by a reputable local contractor who will likely still be in business if you need warranty coverage.
Finally, if you recently purchased your home, the roof may be covered by a new home warranty or a home warranty purchased at closing if you your home was a resale.
