Different Types of Roofing Warranties and What They Cover
A roof warranty is designed to provide financial protection against certain types of damage that may occur to your roofing system during its service life. Selecting the right type and provider of warranty for your specific needs is an essential part of determining which kind of coverage will be best for you. The following guide will provide you with an overview of what’s available and how it works so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to buy a warranty for your home’s roof.
The two main categories of warranties are manufacturer warranties and contractor warranties. Each has its benefits regarding what coverage is provided, at what cost, and who pays for repairs due to damage resulting from a manufacturer’s defects or issues not predictable when the warranty was sold.
Understanding each type’s offerings can help buyers determine which provides the most comprehensive protection for their roofs and the best long-term value when considering how many extended warranties last after installation.
Manufacturer Warranty
The manufacturer of your roofing equipment usually provides Manufacturer Warranties. They usually cover defects in materials and artistry. The specific coverage may vary depending on the product, but they often provide coverage for several years and in certain weather conditions. Let’s look at the different types of manufacturer warranties and what they cover.
Standard Manufacturer Warranty
A standard manufacturer’s warranty is often the basic coverage a roofing material manufacturer offers. It typically covers the cost of manufacturing defects in either the labor or materials of a given roofing product. Manufacturer warranties will differ depending on the specific roofing material and can range from five years to lifetime coverage, depending on the provider.
Manufacturer warranties will usually exclude damages caused by improper installation, weather hazards, and other occurrences that are not a result of a material defect. Additionally, manufacturer warranties for roofing products may specify that they are only applicable if a licensed professional has completed all installations on your roof and has done so according to local building codes and manufacturer guidelines.
Manufacturers may also add requirements such as warranty holders providing proof of regular maintenance checks recently conducted on the roof to submit any claims related to their coverage plan. In these cases, customers should keep records of contractor visits as additional verification when submitting any covered claim.
Extended Manufacturer Warranty
An extended manufacturer warranty is a type of warranty that extends beyond the basic manufacturer warranty. This type of warranty covers installation errors and is generally available on high-end roofing systems. An extended manufacturer warranty may apply to shingles, flashing, sealants, and other materials. It may cover labor costs associated with making repairs, so if a repair is needed because of an installation error by the contractor or installer, you should be able to use the warranty to pay for it.
When considering an extended manufacturer warranty, it’s essential to carefully review what types of items it covers and any limits on coverage, such as time restrictions or other stipulations. As with any roofing product with a long useful life expectancy, this type of warranty can provide peace of mind regarding potential problems in the future.
Enhanced Manufacturer Warranty
An Enhanced Manufacturer Warranty is a roofing warranty offered by the roofing material manufacturer. Like all other warranties, an Enhanced Manufacturer Warranty has a detailed contract that covers various aspects of the warranty, including coverage amounts and lengths. With an Enhanced Manufacturer Warranty, the coverage may include repair or replacement costs and labor on associated items such as gutters, skylights, and vent pipes, depending on what is specified in the warranty document.
Most enhanced warranties have varying coverage time frames, up to 25 years, with labor sometimes covered up to 10 additional years from the material warranty start date. In addition to materials and labor costs for repairs or replacements, these extended warranties may also cover costs associated with removing existing roofing materials and disposing of them appropriately or returning them to the manufacturer for recycling.
Most Enhanced Manufacturer Warranties also cover consequential damages such as removal and replacement of interior finishes caused by leaks during covered repair periods; this is often called “concealment protection” in the warranty contract language.
Contractor Warranty
When a professional team installs a roof, the installation should come with a warranty covering any craft defects. This type of warranty is known as a workmanship warranty provided by the roofing contractor. It covers any errors made on the job, including installation, materials, or labor mistakes. This warranty will help to protect the homeowner in case of any problems resulting from the workman’s negligence. Let’s look at the specifics of the quality warranty, what it covers, and how long it lasts.
Standard Workmanship Warranty
Standard workmanship warranties are usually offered as basic warranty coverage for the installation costs of a new roof system. This type of warranty will cover material and labor costs to repair any defects encountered due to the workmanship of the company’s installers. Coverage usually begins immediately after installation. Policy holders should be aware that typical standard warranties do not include any coverage for products not purchased from the independent contractor or manufacturer offering the contract.
This warranty typically ranges between one to five years depending on the manufacturer or installer but may vary widely depending on regional conditions. Most standard warranties focus solely on workmanship errors and provide little to no coverage for:
- Roof material defects/failures (i.e., a shingle blowing off due to a faulty product). ]
- Damage caused by: weather conditions, debris, accidents, fire, or vandalism.
- Mold or mildew growth on shingles is caused by inadequate ventilation in an attic space above the insulation and roof decking systems.
- Damages from ice dam formation, water leaks in plumbing vents, or areas near drains due to excessive fluid flow during rain, storms, or snow melt.
Extended Workmanship Warranty
An extended workmanship warranty covers any repairs that might arise due to poor quality. The contractor may offer this type of warranty for a fee, and it is usually available for an additional period beyond the standard limited warranty. This type of warranty is meant to offer protection from inferior workmanship. It will give customers peace of mind against expensive repair costs from faulty installation or shoddy construction practices.
It’s essential to thoroughly read the terms and conditions of an extended quality warranty before making any purchases. Generally, all extended warranties will specify what repairs they cover, how long the coverage lasts, and what steps must be taken should a repair be made.
Knowing precisely what coverage comes with an extended warranty can help customers make informed decisions when purchasing roofing materials or products and protect them against any unexpected and costly issues that could arise due to improper installations or faulty construction practices.
Enhanced Workmanship Warranty
An Enhanced Workmanship Warranty is an upgrade to the manufacturer’s basic warranty. It covers all physical defects in materials, workmanship, and assembly associated with installing a new roof system, regardless of how the defects occurred or developed. This type of coverage provides peace of mind that any errors made during the installation process will be fixed at no additional cost.
This warranty typically covers more than just defective materials; it also includes problems resulting from improper installation or inadequate ventilation. Depending on the manufacturer, this type of warranty may cover repairs due to wind damage up to a specified speed, leakage caused by faulty flashing around penetrations such as skylights or chimneys, and other workmanship-related damage. It is important to note that an enhanced workmanship warranty does not guarantee the roof against all weather conditions.
The roof may still suffer from extreme weather conditions like hail storms or snow and ice accumulation not covered under an enhanced workmanship warranty that could result in leaks or other damage, which would not be covered by this type of coverage but may be covered under a material manufacturer’s separate written limited lifetime hail/ice dam protection warranty.
Summary
Roofing warranties offer extra protection if something goes wrong with your roof. Knowing the differences between the warranties available can help you make an informed decision when selecting the ideal solution for your home. There are two leading roofing warranties: manufacturer and contractor warranties.
- Manufacturer’s Warranty – Covers the cost to repair or replace any parts or components that have been proven to be defective due to either normal wear and tear or manufacturing flaws for a set period after installation.
- Contractor’s Warranty – Covers any installation-related issues caused by inexperienced installers, improper installation techniques, or shoddy materials used (does not include weather-related damage). The duration of coverage may vary depending on the specific roofing system selected.
Additionally, most roofing manufacturers offer extended service contracts, which can extend certain product guarantees beyond what is offered in the manufacturer’s warranty alone. This type of agreement may also provide additional protection against weather-related events and other unexpected damage caused by natural disasters. You must discuss your particular needs with a knowledgeable contractor who can help you find the ideal solution for your particular home!
