- Why Having Good Shingles Matters
- Difference between a contractor roof warranty and a manufacturer roof warranty
- What do roof warranties cover?
- Why Extended Roof Warranties Make Sense
Getting a new roof on your home is a big investment, and you’ll probably only do it a few times throughout the years. Seeing as roof switches are so far and few between, you might not be “in the know” when it comes to choosing a warranty that will protect your investment.
We’re going to help you get acquainted with the basics of roof warranties so that you can make an educated decision on which one suits you best.
Why Having Good Shingles Matters
Much like other parts of your house, shingles that are of higher quality will come with longer warranties. That said, since installation is a major part of the long-term performance of your shingles, most manufacturers only provide their warranties if the product is installed by one of their own roofing contractors.
Seeing as the installation will drastically affect the coverage you get on your shingles, it’s important that you choose a good manufacturer who both produces a good product and sports a team of qualified roofers.
What’s the difference between a contractor roof warranty and a manufacturer roof warranty?
The answer to this question is rather simple. A contractor roof warranty is provided by the roofing company who installed everything while a manufacturer roof warranty is provided by the company who produced the materials.
Warranties can vary across different manufacturers. Some manufacturers sports warranties that will cover the entire system whereas others only provide warranties that only cover the material itself. In contrast, contractor roof warranties don’t cover materials at all, they only cover the workmanship of the installation.
What do roof warranties cover?
The answer to this question is really dependent on what warranty you buy for your roof. It’s very important to understand what a roof warranty does and does not cover before you get a new roof, otherwise you’ll be shocked when you find out that you’ll have to pay for a certain repair or installation cost out of your own pocket.
Always read carefully any small print, and that rule goes beyond roof warranties. We’ve listed things usually covered by most roof warranties or may be available through an additional premium. Bear in mind that some additional coverage options like high-wind have material requirements which could raise the price of your project.
Leaking Roof Repair
The majority of warranties covering the whole system will take care of any material and labor costs with regards to leaking roof repairs. Of course, the coverage may not apply if the leak doesn’t meet the requirements specified in your warranty agreement — which again, you need to read before signing.
For instance, your warranty probably won’t cover costs resulting from leaks if the cause was an ‘act of God’ for example by hail, lightning, negligence, fire, and other factors not related to wear and tear.
High Winds
High wind damage usually sits outside standard coverage but can be availed at a premium from most warranty providers.
Make sure you talk to your contractor and ask them what wind speeds your insurance covers. If you live in a particularly windy or hurricane-prone area, you might want to consider upgrading to a warranty that covers wind damage. Remember that doing so will bring up the price of the warranty. It may also require further additions to your roof like extra rivets, specific sealants, and premium materials.
Hail Damage
Hail coverage is another add-on that you see available on most roof warranties. The reason that most providers leave this out of the standard plan and instead offer it as an additional item is the fact that not everyone lives in areas that snow, much less suffer from hail.
Just imagine how hard it’d be to say “the premium is higher because it covers hail” to a Californian. That said, if you live in an area that’s prone to hail, you should consider getting this coverage protection. Looking at typical costs to repairing a hail damage on your roof, means getting it covered can really pay off in the long run.
Again, like with the high-wind add-on, you’ll likely need to make some alterations to your roof to ensure that it is compliant with the requirements of the warranty. It might cost you a bit, but it’ll be more costly if you lose coverage by not meeting the requirements upon inspection.
Roof Puncture
If there’s a high volume of foot traffic on your roof, you should consider getting coverage from accidental punctures . You’ll likely need to increase your thickness if you want this type of add-on, but it can help keep your roof hole-free at a low cost.
Why Extended Roof Warranties Make Sense
Most people skip out on the extended warranties, thinking they won’t ever get to use it. That said, a roof is a part of your home that you rarely replace, so you’ll most likely get to use your warranty a few times throughout its life.
If you want to get the most bang for your buck, you’ll want to get the best materials that can fit in your budget and hire contractors that are certified by the manufacturer.
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How to Choose a Roofing Contractor
Do clean gutters really impact your roof?
5 Most Common Reasons for a Leaking Roof
How to Choose the Right Roof Color
Do I Need to Remove Snow From My Roof?
Does My Roof Need To Be Replaced or Just Repaired?
Repairing Hail Damage to Your Roof