Most roofs come with some type of warranty coverage. However, their roofing warranties don’t always have the same coverage: some are extensive, while others cover no more than the materials. In today’s post, local roofing and siding company NorthWest Construction discusses how to make sure your warranty is protecting you and what you should look for when comparing roofing warranties.
Understanding Your Roofing Warranty
First, let’s discuss a few important points regarding warranties:
- The two types of warranties. There are two general types of roofing warranties: the manufacturer’s warranty and the workmanship warranty. The former covers factory defects in the roofing materials, and are usually warranted by the manufacturer. The other is workmanship or installation warranty, which covers roofing problems caused by installation errors.
- Limited warranty. Most warranties are referred to as “limited warranties”. Generally, it means the warranty coverage has some restrictions placed upon it. Unlimited warranties are unusual, because many products are subject to normal wear; no company can be expected to replace such products indefinitely. The restrictions can vary, which is why it’s important to read exclusions and other limitations, some of which include labor costs and weather damage.
- Insurance vs. warranty. Under most circumstances, damage that’s not caused by factory defects or installation mistakes may be eligible for warranty repairs. However, some warranties can be upgraded to include coverage for wind or impact damage, which is worth considering if your homeowners’ insurance has limited coverage.
How to Make Sure Your Roofing Warranty is Protecting You
So it comes down to the question: how do you know your roofing warranty is protecting you? The quickest answer is to read the paperwork. Manufacturer or factory warranties are usually standard documents with add-ons or riders for specific products. Workmanship or installation warranties can be in the form of a contractor’s quality guarantee. Some manufacturers offer coverage for workmanship through certified contractors. Roofs with enhancements like shingles with higher wind ratings may also have expanded coverage.
Sometimes, a roofing warranty may have a narrowed scope under certain conditions, like when the house is transferred to a new owner. If you are not the house’s first owner, find out what these limitations are, then talk to your roofer — some may offer an upgrade or extended warranties.
Lastly, make sure not to do anything that will cause warranty to be voided. A common exclusion is neglect, and homeowners who disregard maintenance find their warranty claims declined because of it.
Our roofers at NorthWest Construction can help you with your roofing needs. Give us a call at (313) 277-7676, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve Farmington Hills, Livonia and Canton, MI.