do new roofs have warranties

Do New Roofs Have Warranties? Understanding the Types of Coverage

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While many factors can impact the cost of new roof installation, one thing remains true for all Arizona homeowners: a new roof is one of the more costly home improvements you’ll need to invest in.

When you’re paying thousands of dollars to protect your property, you want to know that you have financial protection.

Do new roofs have warranties? The answer is almost always yes.

In fact, you’ll often receive two warranties, one to cover materials and another to cover workmanship.

How does a roof warranty work and what should you understand about the protection it can offer? Read on as we discuss the different types of roof warranties that your roofer may offer.

The Basics: Comparing Roof Warranties

Do new roofs have warranties? Most of the time, the answer is yes, but there’s more to the story.

Let’s take a look at the different types of warranties your roofer may offer and what they tend to cover.

Manufacturer Warranties

Manufacturer warranties are designed to protect against roofing material defects.

For example, a manufacturer’s warranty may cover the cost of replacing a defective:

  • Shingles
  • Underlayment
  • Flashing

The length of the warranty may reflect the estimated lifespan of the materials.

As Architectural Digest points out, everything from color to material can play a role in how long your shingles should last.

Workmanship Warranties

Workmanship warranties come directly from your roofing contractor and protect against errors related to improper installation.

For example, a workmanship warranty may cover costs related to:

  • Leaking
  • Premature damage
  • Mold and mildew

Workmanship warranties will only cover these types of damage if they result from installation errors.

“Lifetime” Warranties

Some manufacturers offer what is often called a “lifetime” warranty.

A lifetime warranty tends to offer extended coverage, meaning it lasts longer than your typical roof warranty, but it does not actually last a lifetime.

For example, a lifetime warranty may only apply to the homeowner who invested in the roof.

In other words, it may not transfer to the next owner when you sell your home.

Full System Warranties

A full system warranty bundles your protection, covering both material defects and labor errors.

Like any warranty, full system warranties will vary when it comes to:

  • Duration
  • Covered damage
  • Exclusions

You should still review all elements of a full system warranty to understand what you’re agreeing to.

What to Look For in Roof Warranty Fine Print

We always recommend that homeowners take a closer look at the fine print before accepting a warranty as is.

Here are a few of the things you’ll want to understand to get the most out of your warranty (or negotiate for a more comprehensive alternative).

Duration

One of the most important things to understand is how long your roof warranty will last.

For example, a manufacturer warranty can last anywhere from 15 to 50 years.

A workmanship warranty typically doesn’t last as long, in part because you’re likely to notice issues related to improper installation early on.

Most workmanship warranties last between two and ten years.

Prorated Protection

Another important aspect of your warranty is the amount of coverage you’ll receive over time.

Many warranties offer prorated protection, meaning that coverage gradually decreases.

This is often the case with lifetime warranties.

You may have something like ten years of non-prorated coverage, followed by 20-40 years of decreasing coverage.

Exclusions

One of the most important things to understand about your warranty is that many types of damage are excluded from coverage.

Common exclusions include:

  • Acts of nature
  • Improper attic ventilation
  • Ponding water
  • Damage caused by pests
  • Fire damage
  • Residual interior damage (e.g., interior water damage)

Acts of nature refer to storms and storm-related damage.

According to the Arizona Geological Survey, we experience acts of nature ranging from earthquakes to floods to tornadoes.

Be sure to talk to your contractor about roofing materials that can best withstand Arizona’s climate.

Can You Accidentally Void a Roof Warranty?

Exclusions aren’t the only things that can impact whether or not your warranty provides coverage.

You can actually void your roof warranty if you aren’t careful.

Here are the errors to avoid if you want to make the most of your roof warranty.

Installation Errors

Here’s where things get tricky.

While a workmanship warranty can cover costs related to installation errors, installation errors can void your manufacturer’s warranty.

To maximize your protection, always work with contractors who have a license with the Registrar of Contractors.

Rigorous licensing requirements ensure that a licensed contractor has the knowledge and skills to install a roof the right way.

Unauthorized Modifications

You can jeopardize your manufacturer warranty by modifying your roofing materials in ways that aren’t approved by the manufacturer.

This can include things like:

  • Improperly installing solar panels
  • Using mismatched materials (i.e., materials from different manufacturers)
  • Installing replacement materials without following manufacturers requirements

You can also jeopardize your workmanship warranty by employing unauthorized labor.

In other words, if an outside contractor repairs and damages your roof, you have likely voided your original workmanship warranty.

Lack of Maintenance

Much like homeowner insurance, your new roof warranties won’t cover damage caused by negligence.

In other words, you may risk voiding any roof warranty if you fail to:

  • Perform routine roof maintenance
  • Keep your roof clean
  • Maintain gutters and other roof protection systems

Annual roof inspections can ensure that you don’t let any maintenance problems go unaddressed.

Make sure to schedule those inspections with the same company that installed your roof to protect both your manufacturer coverage and your workmanship coverage.

Do New Roofs Have Warranties? Do Your Research Before You Sign

You’re getting ready to invest in a new roof and you want the best investment protection you can get.

Do new roofs have warranties? The answer is yes, but always make sure to read the fine print and understand what kind of coverage you’re agreeing to.

AZ Roofing Works has been providing homeowners in the Phoenix Valley area with roof installation and repair services since 2013.

Our excellent craftsmanship, customer service, and financing options have earned us a five-star reputation.

Contact us and let’s start talking about your new roof.

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