Why Are Roofing Warranties Important?

The first line of defense against the elements is a roof. However, it is one of those things that we take for granted until it starts leaking or there’s a storm, and then it becomes an emergency. What if your roof gets damaged? You could be looking at sometimes five figures in repairs! That’s not something you want to happen, so why not invest upfront by getting a warranty on your new roof installation. Warranties typically come with 10-25 year coverage, giving you peace of mind knowing that if anything were to go wrong with your new roof, it would be covered under warranty. Not only does this provide protection but also gives you time to enjoy your new roof.

Is there a warranty on all roof materials?

Yes, most roof materials come with a warranty. However, you want to make sure your roof’s warranty covers it for many years. A 25-year warranty is a standard in the roofing industry, and many materials typically come with that. However, to be well protected, you want one that covers you for 40+ years.

Roof warranties: what is covered?

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to finding the best roof warranty. One of the more important aspects is what exactly your warranty covers and how many years of coverage you receive. The most important thing you want to look for is what your warranty covers regarding the materials on your roof. A good warranty will cover all material defects, workmanship issues, and installation errors that cause problems with your roof. Let’s look in detail at what a good warranty covers.

• Material defects: Material defects are exactly what they sound like – a defect in the material itself that causes a problem with your new roof. This can include cracks or a bad seal that causes water damage to the inside of your home. The best warranties on the market cover all kinds of materials for the entire warranty period.
• Workmanship errors: These are errors that occur during the installation or maintenance of your roof. They happen when there is an issue with how the roofing contractor did the work, not with the materials themselves. This can be something like a leaky pipe flashing during installation or improper caulking around vents and penetrations. A good warranty should cover these types of workmanship errors.
• Installation errors: As you might have guessed, this is an error that occurs during the installation or maintenance process. They include things like improper ventilation or insulation, leading to water problems over time. The best warranties out there cover installation errors because they protect you from future damages.
• Long coverage: Another factor to consider when choosing a roof warranty is how long it covers your roof. Your roof type will determine what coverage is adequate for you. For instance, a 3-tab shingles roof typically will be adequately covered with a 25-year warranty.  However, if you have a dimensional shingles roof, you will want a warranty covering at least 50 years to protect it adequately.

Don’t rely on the roofing company warranty

Most roofing companies will try to convince you that their warranty is enough to protect your roof. While the roofing company’s warranty may be helpful, you would lose your warranty if the company was to go under. So, ensure your roof is properly protected by a warranty covering the entire roof, not just the manufacturer’s defects.

A roof is an expensive investment for any homeowner, so it makes sense to want the best warranty possible. Unfortunately, not all warranties are created equally, and many homeowners find themselves left unprotected when their warranty expires. For this reason, you should always ensure your new roof installation or repair comes with a good warranty covering materials defects and workmanship errors like improper ventilation or insulation, which could cause water problems over time.

The more years of coverage you have on these things, the better it will protect against future damages caused by other factors such as leaks from pipes or improperly caulked vents. A long-term warranty (50+ years) should be considered if you’re installing dimensional shingles (which require special care and attention). The length of coverage for 3-tab roofs is typically 25 years. So make sure you know what kind of roof you have and check to see if the warranty covers enough time.