Few things in life are quite as stressful as a damaged roof. After all, both roof repairs and roof replacements tend to fill our heads with images of empty wallets and bills with too many zeroes attached to them.
We’ve got good news and bad news for you. The bad news is that you aren’t wrong. Roof work is inevitably expensive and can be a pain no matter what your financial situation is. The good news?
You might not have to pay.
No, we aren’t talking about committing fraud or skipping out on your bill. And, nope, we don’t have a magic wand that makes dollar signs disappear. But YOU do! That’s right, we’re talking about your roof warranty.
Roof warranties are one of those things that homeowners sign up for and quickly forget about. If you’re lucky, you’ll never have to make use of them. But when you need them, they can be immensely useful. They can also be immensely confusing, leading homeowners to wonder:
- What is covered by my warranty?
- What is the difference between a workmanship warranty and a product warranty?
- What are the different warranty options?
Today, we’ll be helping you understand all of that and more! Keep reading to become a roof warranty expert!
What Is a Warranty?
Let’s start very simply. What, specifically, IS a warranty?
A warranty is defined as “a written guarantee issued to the purchaser by its manufacturer, promising to repair or replace it if necessary, within a specified period of time.”
Sounds simple, right? Then why are all of your warranty policy documents so complicated? The truth isn’t as simple as Merriam-Webster makes it out to be. In truth, your warranty won’t cover every repair or replacement but instead is designed to help you in very specific situations.
When it comes to your roof, it’s important to understand the difference between damage that is and isn’t covered by your warranty. But first, you need to know the difference between the two types of warranties that you likely have on your roof right now!
Product Warranty
The first type of warranty coverage you should know about is a product warranty. Product warranties are designed to cover the roofing materials that you purchased when your roof was installed.
These roofing material warranties are offered through the manufacturer and typically come with different tiers of protection that you can opt into for a higher price.
Workmanship Warranty
Workmanship warranties are designed to cover any mistakes that are made on behalf of your contractor. A roofing contractor’s workmanship warranty could cover improper installation or damage that occurred while they were working on your roof.
Understanding Warranty Levels
When it comes to choosing your roofing material warranty, you’ll likely be greeted with multiple options that can be difficult to distinguish between.
Take, for example, the popular roofing brand GAF. They offer five levels of warranties, each with increased protection. This means if you are accessible for their highest Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, you’ll have a lifetime warranty on your shingles, in addition to protection against specific natural elements like algae and wind damage for up to 30 years.
However, oftentimes, in order to be eligible for these higher-coverage warranties, you will need to purchase specific products from the manufacturer, as well as make sure that your roofing contractor has received the proper brand certifications to install them.
Still feeling confused? Talk with your roofing contractor! They’ll be able to help you understand exactly what your warranty covers.
When Is Roof Damage Covered by Your Warranty?
Now that you know what your roofing warranties are, let’s go over what they cover.
✅ Covered:
- Faulty roofing materials
- Roofing materials that fail before their expected lifespan
- Improper installation techniques
- Roof damage done by contractor
- Some algae and moss growth (depends on the roofing material)
- Damage from high winds (depends on the roofing material)
❌ Not Covered:
- The majority of storm damage
- Damage from falling trees and branches
- Damage from DIY repairs and installations
- Damage due to neglect and poor maintenance
Find a Trustworthy Contractor
If you’re looking to replace your roof, you want an honest roofing contractor that can walk you through the installation and warranty process. That’s exactly what you will get when you work with our team at Clean Cut Roofing. With up to a twenty-year workmanship warranty on all of our projects, you can count on us to do the job right. Contact us today to start your project!
