What is covered under warranties for a roofing installation depends on which of three warranties you hold: the manufacturer’s material warranty (defects in the shingles, tiles or membrane), a manufacturer system or enhanced warranty (more of the roof’s components, sometimes including installation), and the contractor’s own workmanship warranty (installation errors). A material warranty does not cover installation errors, so the workmanship side matters as much as the product. Ask for every warranty in writing, with its terms, before you sign. For warranty questions about a new roof, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
What are the types of roofing warranties?
| Warranty | Who stands behind it | What it usually covers | What it usually does not |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard material warranty | The product manufacturer | Manufacturing defects in the roofing product itself | Installation errors, labor to tear off and reinstall in many cases, storm and impact damage |
| System or enhanced warranty | The manufacturer, registered through a certified installer | More of the roof’s components when the manufacturer’s matching products are used; some add coverage for installation workmanship | Anything outside the registered system; damage from causes the terms exclude |
| Workmanship warranty | The roofing contractor | Leaks and failures caused by how the roof was installed | Product defects; damage from later work by others, storms or neglect |
Duration : Warranties can range from 10 years to a lifetime. The length on the certificate matters less than what it covers in each year, whether labor is included, and whether coverage is reduced (prorated) over time, so read the terms rather than the headline.
What does a manufacturer-backed warranty add?
Enhanced warranties are only available through contractors the manufacturer has certified. As a GAF Master Elite contractor, NEMA can register every GAF enhanced warranty, including the Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, the GAF warranty that adds GAF-backed coverage for installation workmanship. As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, NEMA can register the Owens Corning Preferred Protection warranty, which includes workmanship coverage. The value of these programs is that the manufacturer, not only the installer, stands behind how the roof was put on.
To qualify, a system warranty usually requires the manufacturer’s own matching components (underlayment, starter, ridge caps and ventilation), installation to its written instructions and registration after the job. Ask your contractor which warranty will be registered, and get the registration confirmation.
What can void or limit a roof warranty?
- Mixed components. Using parts from other brands can take a roof out of a system warranty.
- Missed registration. Many manufacturer warranties must be registered within a set period after installation.
- Unauthorized work. Later penetrations (solar mounts, satellite dishes, new vents) done without proper flashing can void coverage for that area.
- Neglect. Clogged gutters, debris left in valleys and unrepaired damage are common exclusions.
- Weather and impact. Wind above a rated speed, falling trees and hail are usually insurance matters, not warranty claims.
Does a warranty transfer when you sell the house?
Some do, sometimes only once and sometimes only if the transfer is registered with the manufacturer within a set time after the sale. Transferable coverage can be a selling point, so keep the certificate with the house records and check the transfer steps before listing.
How do you keep a roof warranty valid?
- Keep the contract, the invoice, the product names and colors and the registration confirmation together.
- Have the roof inspected once a year and after major storms, and keep the reports.
- Keep gutters, drains and valleys clear.
- Call the installing contractor before anyone cuts into the roof for solar or other equipment.
A roof maintenance guarantee or service plan offered by a contractor is a separate service agreement, not a manufacturer warranty; read what it promises and what it requires of you.
See why annual roof inspections matter and our roof maintenance service for the upkeep side.
How do you file a roof warranty claim?
- Photograph the problem inside and out, with dates.
- Call the installing contractor first: workmanship items are theirs to fix, and a certified installer also starts manufacturer claims.
- Provide the warranty certificate, proof of purchase and any inspection or maintenance records.
- Allow an inspection before any repair, so the cause is documented.
We deliver exceptional roofing services backed by strong warranties for your peace of mind. NEMA Roofing installs roofs from five locations, in Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Downey, across Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties; our roof installation service explains the process, and the step-by-step installation guide shows where warranty requirements fit in. To ask which warranty your new roof would carry, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
