Buying a new roof is a big decision and a substantial investment. While you’re focused on things like the style, material, and color, it’s easy to overlook roofing warranties. But, taking the time to understand your roofing warranties is crucial. It’s your safety net, providing peace of mind and potential cost savings down the line if problems arise. Let’s take a closer look.
Understanding Roofing Warranties
Roofing warranties act like a safety net for your investment. They come in various forms and offer different levels of protection.
Familiarizing yourself with the types of coverage, terms, and limitations will help you make informed decisions, ensuring you get the most out of your warranty should you need to make a claim. Think of it like a detailed contract outlining the responsibilities of both you and the manufacturer or contractor.
Workmanship Warranty
A workmanship warranty usually covers issues arising from improper installation. This warranty is important because even the best roofing materials can fail if not installed correctly.
What’s Typically Covered?
This warranty protects you from issues like:
- Leaks caused by incorrect flashing installation.
- Shingle damage during installation.
- Improper ventilation causing premature deterioration.
Before signing, clarify the length of the warranty. Look for contractors offering warranties of at least five to ten years to inspire greater confidence in the quality of their work. Also, remember that a workmanship warranty usually doesn’t cover damage from external factors, like hailstorms or falling trees.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Alongside workmanship warranties, you also have a manufacturer’s warranty. A product warranty is a written promise from the manufacturer to fix or replace any parts that fail within a specific timeframe. This warranty protects you from defects in the roofing materials themselves.
What Does a Manufacturer’s Warranty Typically Cover?
This often covers:
- Manufacturing defects that lead to premature shingle failure.
- Issues with the shingles curling, cracking, or losing granules.
However, understand that this warranty often has conditions. These may include registering your roof with the manufacturer after installation or using certified installers to maintain the warranty’s validity.
Deciphering Warranty Language
As with any legal document, warranty jargon can be a bit overwhelming. But, a basic understanding of common terms will equip you to make sense of your coverage. The words “limited” and “lifetime” are often used in warranty discussions.
Limited Warranties
Don’t be fooled by the name. This is the most common type of warranty you’ll encounter, and it signifies that your coverage is subject to specific limitations outlined in the terms and conditions. It might cover only certain parts, specific types of damage, or have a decreasing payout over time (prorated).
Lifetime Warranties
Sounds great on the surface, but there are some things to keep in mind. This generally refers to the “lifetime” of the materials, not necessarily a true lifetime from the date of installation. Additionally, coverage may decline as the roof ages. For example, a 50-year warranty might be considered a “lifetime warranty,” but that doesn’t mean it will provide the same level of coverage for 50 years.
Transferable Warranties
Considering selling your home in the future? Transferable roofing warranties can be a huge plus. This means the warranty transfers to a new owner if you decide to sell.
These can give your potential buyers an added layer of confidence. Transferable warranties generally involve some procedures and fees. The warranty usually gets transferred directly to the new owner during the sale, ensuring uninterrupted coverage for the remainder of the warranty period.
Important Considerations
Now that you have a better understanding of the different roofing warranties, here are some more questions to ask:
- What is the Coverage Period?: Warranties have varying lengths, some covering a set number of years while others provide “lifetime” coverage.
- What Specific Components are Covered?: Clarify if your roofing system components like shingles, underlayment, or flashing, are included in your coverage.
- What are the Limitations?: Look for what’s not covered, such as damage from natural disasters, improper maintenance, or using third-party repair services.
- Are there any Maintenance Requirements?: Roofing warranties often require homeowners to perform specific tasks. These could be things like routine inspections or cleaning to keep their coverage valid.
For additional guidance on what’s typically included in a roofing warranty, reputable contractor websites and organizations can offer resources to provide insights specific to your location and needs. Consider factors such as the warranty’s duration, coverage scope, and any exclusions or limitations. It’s also wise to compare warranties from different contractors or manufacturers to make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and requirements. By thoroughly researching and understanding roofing warranties, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected.
Rhino Roofers Offers the Best Warranty in the Industry
Rhino Roofers offers a workmanship warranty on the work that we perform. This is the lifetime promise that we offer for our expertise work. If there is something that goes wrong on the roof due to workmanship, we’ll make sure that you are taken care of. We also offer a 50-year warranty on materials. So, your roof is covered from the day we do the work. We promise that you will benefit from our roofing services in the Greater San Antonio area.