Nearly every roofing company advertises a warranty, and almost none explain what it covers. There are two distinct types, they cover different failures, and a roof can be fully protected against one while having no protection against the other.

The two types

Why “lifetime” needs reading

“Lifetime” in roofing rarely means what it sounds like. It usually refers to the material’s expected service life as the manufacturer defines it, and coverage is typically prorated, shrinking substantially after an initial full-coverage period. A claim in year twenty may return a small fraction of replacement cost. Always ask how long full, non-prorated coverage lasts, and whether labor is included or only the material.

Many manufacturers, GAF among them, also offer extended warranty tiers that only a contractor they’ve certified can register. If a roofer quotes one of those tiers, ask to see that they’re certified for it.

Shingle, metal and tile warranties differ

• Asphalt shingles: coverage usually depends on using the manufacturer’s matching components, such as underlayment, starter strip and ridge cap, as a system. Wind ratings often depend on the nailing pattern too.
• Metal: the panel and its paint finish are often warranted separately. Finish warranties cover fading and chalking past set limits, and they’re a different document from the warranty on the metal itself. See metal roofing in Pflugerville.
• Tile: clay and concrete tile can last for decades, but the underlayment beneath it wears out first. A long tile warranty may not cover the underlayment, which is usually what fails.

Our roofing materials guide compares the systems in more detail.

What typically voids a roofing warranty

• Installation outside manufacturer specification, the most common cause
• Inadequate attic ventilation, which many manufacturers require and many installs overlook
• Repairs or alterations by another contractor, including satellite dishes and solar mounts added later without proper flashing
• Layering new shingles over old where the manufacturer prohibits it
• Pressure washing, which strips protective granules
• Neglected maintenance, such as clogged gutters or valleys backing water up
• Storm damage, which isn’t a void as such but is simply outside warranty coverage; it’s an insurance matter

Our roof maintenance guide covers the upkeep that keeps coverage intact.

Registration and records

Many manufacturer warranties have to be registered, sometimes within a set window after installation, and an unregistered roof may fall back to a basic warranty. Ask who registers it and when you’ll receive proof.

Keep one folder, paper or digital, with your signed contract, final invoice, warranty registration certificate, the product names and colors installed, and photos of the finished roof. That folder is what a warranty claim, an insurance claim and a home buyer’s inspector will all ask for.

What to ask before you sign

• Is the workmanship warranty in writing, and for how long?
• How long is the manufacturer’s full coverage before proration begins, and does it include labor?
• Who registers the manufacturer warranty, and when will I get proof?
• Does the warranty transfer if I sell the home, and is there a fee or deadline?
• Will the installation meet manufacturer specification so material coverage stays valid?
• Is attic ventilation being checked and corrected as part of the job?
• What, specifically, is excluded?

Transferring a warranty when you sell

A transferable warranty is a selling point when you list your home, and buyers’ inspectors ask about it. Transfers often come with a time limit, sometimes a narrow window after the sale, and a fee. It’s worth knowing at installation rather than discovering at closing.

Making a warranty claim

1. Call the installer first. Workmanship problems go to the contractor who did the work, and a good contractor will also help you start a manufacturer claim.
2. Don’t let anyone else repair it. Outside repairs can void the coverage you’re trying to use. Temporary protection, like a tarp to stop active water, is fine.
3. Document it. Take dated photos of the leak, the ceiling and anything damaged inside.
4. Pull your folder. Contract, invoice and registration certificate.

If you’re not sure whether it’s a warranty issue or storm damage, a roof inspection in Pflugerville will tell you which. Storm damage goes through insurance; our roof insurance claim guide explains how. Water coming in now? See emergency roof repair in Pflugerville, TX.

Our approach

Pflugerville Roofing Pros backs its work with a written workmanship warranty, installs to manufacturer specification so material coverage stays intact, and puts every warranty term in the written proposal rather than describing it verbally. The specific terms depend on the system you choose, so ask us during your free inspection and we’ll show you the actual warranty documents for the products we’re quoting. If you’re planning a roof replacement in Pflugerville, this is the conversation to have before you compare bids.

Roofing warranty questions