Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our homes and property didn’t need care, attention, and upkeep? The cost of owning and caring for a home would be significantly reduced, and we wouldn’t find ourselves with projects and issues that pop up, requiring our attention.
The reality is that certain aspects of our home need to be maintained and protected to ensure proper functionality. Your roof is a prime example of an aspect of your home that needs care and attention in order for it to function well, thus protecting your home. As part of a guarantee of quality construction and repair, your roofing contractor should be able to issue a warranty to cover parts, service, and quality of construction.
What is a roof warranty?
A roof warranty is usually issued by a roofing materials manufacturer. Typical manufacturers include CertainTeed, GAF, Owens Corning, and Boral, to name a few. To be eligible for a roof warranty, the materials must be installed by a certified contractor and inspected by a representative of the manufacturer to ensure proper installation.
Roof warranties offer protection in case of excessive wear and tear, breakdown, and decomposition that may affect its ability to protect your home. They are valid anywhere from five to over thirty years, depending on the roof membrane and the type of system installed.
A materials-only warranty only covers the cost of materials and their potential premature failure. Often, it covers the membrane, not the insulation or accessories also installed. Unfortunately, leaks aren’t covered under warranty. The cost of a materials-only warranty is significantly less than other warranties, and material failure is quite rare with the current testing being done by manufacturers that test the efficacy of their products.
Complete systems warranties have no dollar limit. They cover both material and craftsmanship. With a complete system warranty, there is coverage for labor and material to fix roof leaks if they are warranty related. If you are going the distance with your current roof, consider investing in a full system, no dollar limit warranty to cover any incidentals that may come up.
What does a roof warranty cover?
Various roof warranties cover various aspects of your roof, depending on their type.
Standard manufacturer warranties come with a basic limited lifetime warranty, an industry standard for many roofing materials. In many cases, a limited lifetime warranty means that you are covered as long as you own your home. The degree of protection that you are able to receive depends on a manufacturer’s definition of limited. Most manufacturer-issued warranties cover the cost of defective materials; you are responsible for labor charges incurred to remove and dispose of faulty materials. As the age of your roof progresses, the degree of coverage offered will also wane over time. Many manufacturers offer a prorated coverage option for roofing materials older than five years. A manufacturer’s warranty will not cover defects and product failures that are due to improper installation.
Contractor workmanship warranties exist to cover the cost of labor and materials needed to make necessary repairs. Many contractor workmanship warranties may also cover related damages done to your home’s interior, furnishings, and personal belongings. A workmanship warranty is valid from 1 to 10 years. Other aspects of damage such as:
Storm damage
Water damage
Damages incurred after altering a roof structure
Foot traffic
Leaks or damage caused by falling tree debris
are not covered by a workmanship warranty. Ask your roofing contractor if coverage options exist to cover all potential outcomes as your roof ages.
Comprehensive coverage warranties are offered to ensure homeowners the most bang for their buck. Optional extended warranty coverage exists for most roofs installed by authorized contractors that are certified and insured. While incurring an additional cost for this type of coverage, you also know that other unforeseen situations are covered, giving you peace of mind that your investment is protected. The most comprehensive warranties on the market cover all roof system components and include labor cost for repair and replacement that is extendable by up to 50 years. Workmanship quality guarantees ensure that labor costs are covered for all aspects of roof care, repair, and replacement.
Don’t neglect your warranty specifications
A warranty is only valid if you have kept up with your end of the bargain. In many cases, it will be necessary for you to keep up with a regular maintenance and repair schedule to take advantage of coverage benefits. This is a small price to pay for comprehensive and complete coverage that could potentially save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
Len’s Roofing: Quality at its finest
Len’s Roofing has licensed, bonded, and insured roofing contractors ready to attend to all aspects of roof installation, repair, and replacement. Choosing a qualified contractor for your roofing work just got easier; we provide guarantees on all work and repair done by our skilled professionals. Protect your home and your investment; contact us today for all your roofing needs. Visit https://www.lensroofing.com/ for more information or call us at 941-896-7897.