A new roof is a major investment. High-quality, well-maintained roofs can last for decades and serve an important role in protecting the structure of your home. It’s all too easy to focus on the color, style, and type of shingles you want, and forget about the more boring details such as what type of warranty coverage your contractor offers. When you get new roofing installed, it’s vital to get a roof warranty to cover the workmanship and materials and protect that investment.
What Does a Roof Warranty Offer?
The exact details of what is covered by a roof warranty will depend on the company or contractor you choose to install it. This is one reason why it’s so important to read the terms and conditions and do your due diligence on the installer. If you’re purchasing a slate roof that could last 50 years, will the company that installed the roof still exist to honor the warranty?
In general, there are three types of warranty for roofing:
- Standard manufacturer’s warranty: This covers the product you buy. For example, a shingle warranty would be a guarantee that the shingles are fit for purpose and won’t crack or fall to pieces within a few years of installation.
- Extended manufacturer’s warranty: This covers the same things as the standard warranty but usually for a longer period. It also covers the installation of the roofing.
- Workmanship warranty: Your contractor may offer a warranty themselves for the work they do. So, if the roof leaks after installation due to poor joins or sealing around a chimney, that may be covered under the workmanship warranty.
Some warranties are for a specified number of years, while others are lifetime warranties. With such a substantial investment, it’s important to have the terms and conditions clearly defined.
Limitations on Warranties
The standard manufacturer’s warranty is usually limited, but the limitations can vary between manufacturers. In most cases, a limited warranty means that it covers only the cost of any defective shingles or other materials. The homeowner is responsible for covering the cost of removing and disposing of the defective materials and having the replacements installed.
The standard warranty usually won’t cover the cost of replacement materials if the materials were damaged during installation due to contractor error (or a bad DIY job). Many manufacturers will cover labor costs for replacing defective materials for the first couple of years after purchase, but for the remainder of the expected lifetime of the product, the cover will be for materials only.
Extended manufacturer’s warranties typically offer more generous labor coverage. However, this is not a substitute for having a robust workmanship warranty from the company that installs your roofing.
Even a workmanship warranty will have some limitations. For example, the coverage will usually exclude the cost of fixing a roof damaged through extreme weather, untreated ice dams, or falling trees. Nor would it cover damage due to foot traffic or attempts at modifying the roof.
Choosing a reputable company to supply and install your next roof will give you peace of mind that your roofing will serve you well for many years to come. Take a look at the roofing options offered at Thompson Creek, or contact us today to discuss your home renovation needs.