Installing a new roof is an important and costly investment. And as with any investment, you want to make sure it’s protected should a problem arise. This is what roof warranties are in place for, but what does material warranty cover?
There are a couple of different warranties associated with roof replacements, each serving a different purpose. While both are important for homeowners to know about, we are going to discuss the one that protects the roofing materials themselves. Discover everything you need to know about your roof’s material warranty as we answer the question, “what does material warranty cover?”
Table of Contents
– What is a Roofing Material Warranty?
– What Does a Material Warranty Cover?
– How Long Does a Roofing Material Warranty Last?
– Hiring the Right Roofer May Keep your Warranty Active
What is a Roofing Material Warranty?
Roofing shingles, covered by a manufacturer’s material warranty, being prepared for a roof replacement
So, what does material warranty cover? Let’s first discuss what a roofing material warranty is. A roofing material warranty is simply a warranty on the actual roofing materials from the manufacturer. If the roofing materials fail due to some defect or malfunction with the materials themselves, the manufacturer will cover the cost to replace them.
With that being said, if the manufacturer discovers that the roofing materials were actually not installed correctly, or that you don’t have proper attic ventilation, then the warranty will be voided. This is one reason why it is so important to hire a reputable roofing contractor to work with from the start.
If your roofing materials are damaged due to poor craftsmanship, then the only warranty you will be able to fall back on is your contractor’s workmanship warranty. Keep in mind that if they didn’t install your roof right the first time, there’s a good chance they won’t honor their warranty. When hiring a contractor, we highly recommend choosing one who offers a lifetime workmanship warranty, as this shows they stand behind their work.
What Does a Material Warranty Cover?
Now that you know what a roofing material warranty is, let’s answer the question, “what does material warranty cover?” A material warranty covers solely the roofing materials themselves, and what it covers varies depending on the type of roof you choose. So, the different types of roofing materials each come with a material warranty, covering what needs to be protected for your specific roof.
Roof replacement in progress using architectural asphalt shingles
For example, if you purchase an asphalt roof, then you’ll get a standard warranty on the asphalt shingles themselves and the rest of the roofing materials. However, if you invest in an entire roof system with a single manufacturer, you can register for an enhanced warranty for your roof. To qualify, all roofing components must be from one manufacturer to complete a whole roof system. Once your new roof is installed, you can register your roof with the manufacturer to get the enhanced warranty.
Metal roof with gorgeous brown paint finish
Material warranties for metal roofs work a bit differently. For example, the material warranty for a metal roof doesn’t cover the metal materials themselves. So, instead of a material warranty, you’ll get a paint warranty on your metal roof’s painted finish. Also, cedar shake and slate roofs do not come with a material warranty, because they are natural materials and do not come from a manufacturer.
How Long Does a Roofing Material Warranty Last?
We’ve answered the question, “what does a material warranty cover?” Let’s move on to how long they last. We’ve mentioned that the material warranty you receive will depend on the roofing materials you choose. The same is true for the duration, as the amount of years your roofing materials are covered is different for each material.
For example, the type of asphalt shingle you choose for your roof replacement will determine the material warranty you receive. Architectural asphalt shingles come with a standard 30-year material warranty, prorated after 10 years. This simply means that after the 30-year mark, the manufacturer will still pay towards fixing any problems with your shingles, but the amount will be less over time.
If your entire roof system is through the same manufacturer and registered through them, then you can get a 50-year, non-prorated enhanced warranty. This is beneficial should you decide to sell your home, as well. The enhanced warranty can be transferred to a new homeowner, but it can only be done once in a roof’s life.
Roofer works to install a screw down metal roof
If you have a metal roof, the amount of years on a paint warranty will depend on the type of metal roof you have. If you have a screw down metal roof, then the roof’s paint warranty will depend on the type of paint finish the manufacturer uses on the metal panels.
Stunning standing seam metal roof
However, every steel standing seam metal roof comes with a Kynar 500 painted finish to protect it from the elements and maintain color vibrancy. After installation, you will get a 30-year warranty on your standing seam metal roof’s painted finish.
Hiring the Right Roofer May Keep your Warranty Active
Hiring a reputable roofing contractor can help to ensure your manufacturer’s material warranty is valid for as long as it should be
What does a material warranty cover? As you can now see, a material warranty covers the roofing materials themselves, and plays a vital role in any roof replacement, regardless of the roof type you choose. Material warranties protect your new roof investment, and provide peace of mind when it comes to future roofing needs and repairs.
We want to reiterate one important fact about any roofing material warranty; it can be voided due to improper installation. This is why it’s so important to hire a quality contractor to get the job done. They set you and your new roof up for success, and play a massive role in cost for potential repairs that may be needed down the road.
We also know how daunting of a task it can be to find a reputable roofing contractor, as there are so many out there to choose from. Elite Exteriors wants to help make the hiring process easier, which is why we created the blog, “5 Questions to Ask a Potential Roofing Contractor [For Professionalism and Peace of Mind].” Knowing the right questions to ask before hiring a roofer can help you find quality candidates, and weed out the ones who don’t fit the bill.
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Elite Exteriors is the Southeast’s premier residential and commercial resource for unparalleled service, superior craftsmanship, and incomparable quality. And it’s all backed by an unprecedented lifetime labor and materials warranty! Not only are we fully bonded, licensed, and insured, but we can provide any references you may need, and are more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at 470-350-3024 for a NO-COST initial consultation and inspection, or fill out our online form for more information!