Understanding Roof Warranties

Roof warranties can sound complicated, but most residential roofing warranties fall into a few basic categories.

Manufacturer Material Warranties

Quality architectural shingles such as CertainTeed Landmark® and GAF Timberline UHDZ® come with warranties from the manufacturer. These warranties primarily protect the homeowner against manufacturing defects in the roofing materials.

Although many shingles carry a “lifetime” limited warranty, that does not mean the roof is expected to last a lifetime or that every problem with the roof is covered for life. The specific coverage and length of full protection vary by manufacturer and product.

For example, GAF Timberline HDZ® carries a Lifetime Limited Warranty against manufacturing defects. The first 10 years are non-prorated; after that, coverage is prorated based on the age of the roof. For years 11–40, GAF calculates the reduction over a 50-year (600-month) warranty basis, and after year 40, GAF’s contribution is 20%.

Contractor Workmanship Warranties

A manufacturer material warranty and a contractor workmanship warranty protect against two different things.

The manufacturer stands behind the product. The roofing contractor stands behind the installation.

If a shingle fails because of a qualifying manufacturing defect, that falls under the manufacturer warranty. If a problem results from improper installation, it falls under the contractor’s workmanship warranty.

Unfortunately, some contractors intentionally blur the distinction between manufacturer and workmanship warranties, touting a “Lifetime Limited Warranty” to homeowners without making clear that they are simply referring to the manufacturer’s material warranty—while their own workmanship warranty may be only one year or even nonexistent. At Pro Performance Roofing, we use no such tactics. We clearly distinguish between the manufacturer’s material warranty and our own robust, extended workmanship warranties.

Enhanced Manufacturer Warranties

Certified and credentialed roofing contractors like Pro Performance Roofing can also offer enhanced manufacturer warranties provided qualifying roofing systems are installed according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

Depending on the manufacturer and warranty selected, these enhanced warranties can provide stronger material coverage and manufacturer-backed workmanship protection, giving homeowners an additional layer of protection beyond the contractor’s own warranty.The simplest way to think about it: the manufacturer stands behind the materials, your contractor stands behind the installation, and an enhanced manufacturer warranty can provide additional manufacturer-backed protection for both.