New roofs come with warranties, but coverage can vary widely. If you are planning on getting your roof replaced, you need to compare warranties and factor that in when you make your roofing choices. Here are the key elements of a good roofing warranty.
It would be strange for a roofing manufacturer to not provide material warranty coverage, but it never hurts to check. Material warranties cover roofing problems caused by manufacturing defects. This includes premature aging that results in “balding” shingles – which shouldn’t happen until the roof is well beyond its expected lifespan – and blistering, which is caused by trapped moisture in the asphalt layer. Note that manufacturers may replace defective shingles, but may not cover the cost of teardown, installation and disposal. Some manufacturers may provide coverage for these costs as an add-on.
Workmanship or installation warranties cover roofing problems that result from installation errors. Workmanship warranties are typically shorter because installation errors and related problems become apparent within the first two or three years. It’s common for reputable local roofers to offer their own workmanship coverage by way of a quality guarantee. Some roofing manufacturers also offer workmanship warranties through certified or designated roofing contractors.
Asphalt shingle roofs typically last for about 20 to 30 years, and a good roofing warranty should cover about the same period. Note that such warranty periods are honored after certain conditions are met, such as whether the roof is receiving regular maintenance. Some roofing warranties – common on commercial roofing systems, but may apply to only certain roofing types – have prorated warranties. This means the roof will have 100% coverage for the first 5 to 10 years. The coverage percentage will then dwindle over the remaining years of the roof’s warranty period.
A transferable warranty allows the current owner to transfer the remaining years of the roof’s warranty period to the house’s next owner. It makes the house more desirable to homebuyers, should you decide to sell your home in the future. Note that the term “lifetime” in “lifetime warranties” refers to the roof’s expected lifespan, not the owner’s.
American Roofing & Construction, LLC is your leading provider of roof repair and installation services. Give us a call at (910) 964-0114 or (919) 917-2118. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
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