Roof warranties are a blessing when it comes to installing a new roof. After your huge investment, a warranty helps you rest assured that your roof is protected and you’re getting the most of your money.

But navigating the differences in roofing warranties and what you do or don’t need coverage for can be a little confusing. Contractors might promote their great warranties but only include a workmanship warranty vs. a materials warranty—and other stipulations where if you don’t read the fine print, will be surprised when you need it most.

Today we’re going to go through all things roofing warranties so you can make an educated decision when it comes to your roof and choose the right contractor with the best warranties for you.

Roofing Warranties Basics: The Three Main Types

There are three basic types of roofing warranties, each with its own benefits and downfalls—but are vital to ensure you can protect your investment.

Standard Workmanship Warranties

The first is a standard workmanship warranty, which is offered by the contractor to protect against damages or issues due to their workmanship. This means that if a leak occurs or shingles come loose due to poor installation, that’s on the contractor and they will cover those repairs.

Workmanship warranties generally cover 10-30 years, depending on the contractors. And are also a good indicator that the roofers stand by their work and can be trusted and reliable to do the best installation they can. Always look for a contractor who offers a workmanship warranty.

Standard Manufacturer Warranties

Manufacturer warranties, on the other hand, protect against material defects. These are very common and can either be offered through the contractor, more directly from the manufacturer.

A standard manufacturer warranty lasts for about 10-30 years, depending on the expected lifespan of the materials. For example, asphalt shingles last 15-25 years, so their warranty may be short like 10-15 years. Meanwhile, a metal roof that can last 50-75 years might come with a limited warranty of 25-30 years.

These warranties cover damages and repairs that are caused by material defects. Specifically, here are basic coverages under an industry-standard warranty:

• Coverage for defective materials, but not the labor to make the repairs or replacement.
• Coverage for shingle replacement at no cost to you for a portion of the warranty then prorated rates or partial coverage for any shingle defects after that initial time limit.
• Will not cover any damages or defects that relate to the installation of the shingles or other roofing elements (flashing, ice shield, etc.)

Extended Manufacturer Warranties

For an extra cost, you can often get extended manufacturer warranties that provide more comprehensive coverage of your entire roofing system. Benefits of an extended warranty include:

• Coverage for all roofing components, excluding flashing, fasteners, etc.
• Coverage for labor costs, which can also be extended longer, for the life of your roof, for an added cost
• Added protection for labor costs associated with repairs, replacement, and roof tear-off.

Things You Need To Do When You Get a Warranty

The first steps you should take when you are looking over your warranty include reading it very thoroughly. You should get to know your warranties well so that if you should ever need them, you know what is or isn’t included and can avoid surprises when the time comes.

Secondly, make sure you keep all your warranties in a safe place. This includes the original copies as well as any receipts or other documents that show you have coverage.

If you ever have to file a claim, having all of this information ready will help things move along much more quickly and smoothly.

The third thing you should do is review your roofing system regularly, at least twice a year. This will help you catch any potential problems early on and avoid costly repairs later on.

And lastly, register your warranty! Some manufacturers make you register in order to apply it to your roof, so check with your contractor and read the fine print! Make sure you register the warranty and keep every document you have in a safe place.

If you’re in need of roofing services in North Carolina, the K&D Roofing team would love to help. We work hard to provide you with a quality roof and back it by our own workmanship warranty. When things go wrong with your roof, we’ll be there to make it right.

Contact us today for a free roof inspection and more information on the services we offer.