Home › Learn From The Pros › What an Ideal Roofing Warranty Should Cover What an Ideal Roofing Warranty Should Cover May 27, 2021 Roofs are an essential component of your home, and they are one of the most significant investments made by homeowners. You don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for repairs that may have been covered by warranties if something goes wrong. Before you start paying money to hire a roofer, it’s in your best interest to learn about the warranty coverage that comes with your roofing materials and installation. What does the ideal roofing warranty cover? What should you keep in mind? Understanding the Basics In most cases, a roof warranty covers flaws in materials or workmanship. If the materials fail to perform as expected, or your roof was installed incorrectly, the manufacturer and installer should be held liable for any problems that arise. Understanding what kind of warranty you have and what it covers can help you save money on maintenance, repairs and replacement. Keep in mind, however, that warranties will vary depending on the circumstances as each product and installation scenario is unique to each project and homeowner. During the sales process, your roofing contractor should present you with all product warranty information, including all necessary warranty information for both the materials and the installation. Material warranties are frequently researched on manufacturer websites or frequently asked questions (FAQs) of the sites of the roofing contractors you browsed, and you can acquire a rough idea of how they work by searching the internet for more references. Remember that a wise homeowner is one who understands their position! Warranties cover specific scenarios and conditions pertaining to certain roofing materials. Such as: Installation Warranties Warranties for installation work might be difficult to understand or claim. Always keep in mind that each warranty has its own set of installation criteria. The guarantee may be void if the material is installed incorrectly. Inquire with your contractor regarding this, and clarify if the roofing guarantee covers the repair of warranted materials as a professional roofer will be confident in their work. In that note, always remember that contractors with excellent reviews and have been providing reputable services for a long time usually have more comprehensive warranties for installations. Roofing Vent Warranties Roofing vents are important for the health of your attic because they help with ventilation and energy efficiency. The majority of ridge and intake vents are made of durable plastic and come with a lifetime warranty. Because of the potential of mechanical failure, other solutions, such as power vents, have limited, short-term guarantees. That isn’t to say you shouldn’t use power vents. They may be necessary if your attic needs additional ventilation, and an unventilated attic can cause a variety of moisture issues for your roof, which can end up with costly roof repair projects. Shingle Warranties Depending on the grade of shingle used, the average asphalt shingle manufacturer warranty ranges from 20 to a lifetime. The most basic strip shingles may have a shorter warranty, whereas higher-quality laminated dimensional shingles may be guaranteed for the entire roof’s lifespan. Spending more for a superior shingle may be worth the extra money in the long run due to the warranty and product quality. Regardless of the type of shingle you have, always conduct your homework on its expected lifespan, and keep in mind the terms listed in your shingle warranty. Underlayment Warranties Roofing underlayment is the layer of material that sits between the shingles and the roof deck, which is usually plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). It’s a secondary layer of protection against the elements, such as rain, snow and wind, that’s built directly on the roof deck. If you want to know more about them, don’t hesitate to ask your trusted contractor during your next roof replacement project as underlayment is usually one of the components frequently replaced along with shingles. Fiberglass underlayment can provide up to 50 years of protection for your roof deck. The guarantee could be conditional, requiring a clean roof deck (which is standard industry practice) or hand installation over a second base layer. This means that each nail must be driven by hand using a hammer. In highly windy areas of the country like Alaska and Wyoming, manual installation is frequently required. Warranty Periods Each roofing warranty has a varied expiration date, which is largely determined by the general contractor or roof replacement company that installed the roof and the roofing materials used during the replacement or repair. A manufacturer’s warranty will typically range from 20 to 30 years for shingles. If you purchase a lifetime guarantee, inquire as to what constitutes a “lifetime”. In the case of shingles, a lifetime may only be 30 years because the warranty only covers the “lifetime” of the roofing material. It’s also a good idea to find out if your roof warranty includes proration, which refers to an object’s worth decreasing exponentially over time. The value of your roof will depreciate over time if you have a prorated roofing warranty. For example, after 10 years, the warrantor may only cover 60% of the associated repair expenses, even though the necessity for the repair is the warrantor’s fault. So, don’t be scared to ask your contractor questions; a professional with a high reputation will always be happy to educate you and tell you what to expect. Contact Us! Do you need reliable roofing contractors to handle your project? Neumann Construction is a local roofing company that has been specializing in installing roofs on lake homes, cabins and other residential properties since 2005. Our workers are highly skilled and are committed to providing the best customer service and products, and the highest quality workmanship possible. We are also fully licensed and insured, so you don’t have to concern yourself with liabilities like medical costs when we’re installing your roof, and we also are GAF-certified roofing contractors! For any inquiries, you can reach us at (218) 270-0009 or fill out our contact form to request an estimate. We proudly serve clients and homeowners in Brainerd, MN, and the surrounding areas. We look forward to working with you!