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.
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, fire, and other factors not related to wear and tear.