A good roof will last for decades, but a lot will happen over those next 50 or so years. When it comes to your roof’s warranty, it’s important to know that not all warranties are created equal, and the kind of warranty you receive could end up saving (or costing you) thousands of dollars down the road. 

We’ve answered the most important questions to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase an Extended Warranty. Let’s get into it!

Roofing warranties fall into these 3 general categories:

• The standard product limited warranty covers material defects only and is offered automatically by most manufacturers. This is where you hear the term ‘prorated’ coverage linked to certain types of product failure.
• The system warranty (which results in an extended warranty) offers more comprehensive coverage and a longer timeframe, but can only be offered by select roofing companies (like us!) when specific criteria are met during installation. We will cover Roofing Systems in a minute.
• Workmanship warranties are offered by the roofing company directly and cover the quality and accuracy of the labor.

The first thing you should know is that these warranties cover defective shingles only and do not cover normal wear from age. It is important to note that Standard Product warranties may cover the cost of the material only for the first 10 years, after which point any compensation will be prorated based on the age of the shingle. Just about every architectural shingle now comes with a product warranty by default.

Examples of shingle problems that should not happen and may warrant a claim:

• Cracking, peeling or buckling of shingles
• Discoloration of individual shingles or sections of your roof
• Excessive shedding of granules (some shedding is normal)
• Widespread leaking or unusual moisture problems
• Significant algae staining early in the life of the roof

It’s also worth noting that damage caused by natural disasters is not covered under a warranty, but rather is typically covered by your insurance company.

System Warranties offer significantly better coverage than Standard Product warranties because they cover the cost of a new roof, including material and labor, extending far beyond the 10-year mark where proration usually begins. The warranties offered by our manufacturers are impressive: 45-50 years!

System warranties come at an extra cost, which is based on the square footage of the home, and must be purchased through an installer that has earned the product certification designation from the manufacturer.

System/Extended Warranties are only available to you if your roof system that is installed meets the manufacturers’ rigid requirements (hint: if we install your roof, you don’t have to worry about this, but here are a few details).

1. The roof must be installed by a Certified Contractor 
2. The roof system must contain at least 3-5 qualifying components (the same brand as the shingles) to qualify as a “roofing system.”  All products must be installed according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
3. The new roof must be installed over a clean, ventilated deck which covers the entire structure.

When you  purchase a roof from us, we include the extended warranty to make sure you are covered in every way! As a certified contractor, every roof we install meets each manufacturer’s criteria qualifying  your roof for the extended warranty. Meet our top three: Owens Corning, GAF and Malarkey have been our favorites for years because of their appearance and longevity. No matter which of these shingles you choose, you can’t go wrong!

Based on the roof that you choose to purchase, you will receive one of the following warranties: 

• Malarkey Emerald Pro Warranty
• Owens Corning Preferred Protection Limited Warranty
• GAF Silver Pledge Limited Warranty

Some insurance policies offer a discount on premiums for homeowners with 50-year shingles, which are more resistant to normal wear and tear, as well as rain, wind, and even hail. Hail is one of the most common causes for insurance claims. Durable roofs are the preferred choice for Chicagoans who, like you, are accustomed to seeing impactful weather conditions on a yearly basis.

If you do plan to make this your lifelong home, then investing in a roof that offers a 50-year warranty will save you money in the long run. Perhaps you plan to sell your home in the next 10 years; a long-lasting roof with an extended warranty can add to your home’s resale value and is transferable to the next owner! (Bonus info: most manufacturers require the warranty transfer to occur within 60 days of the closing date.)

We’ve been in this business a long time and we want you to receive the best product, the best installation, and a superb warranty. This is why we register every roof system we install. Why? Because we go beyond just putting a roof over your head!

Contact us today with any questions we didn’t answer here or to get started on your next project.