Roof Warranties: Are They Still Worth It?

In almost every product that’s available in the market, it will come with a warranty that will secure your satisfaction with that product. But just like every other building material that’s used for your home or any object that you do buy, they are not immune to damages, deterioration, and factory defects. Roofing materials are no exception and manufacturers will have warranties for their products that will usually last decades to even a lifetime.

Are Roof Warranties Worth It? If you’re planning on replacing or repairing your roof, having a warranty can save you thousands of dollars worth of roofing materials, labor costs, and repairs. In some extreme cases, if your roof has a large enough area, you’re looking at five figures worth of cost and bills.

We have to face it; we can’t control what the weather does and at any given time, heavy winds, snow, and hailstorms can cause irreparable damages to our home. In most cases, your insurance will kick in. However, there are also some man-made errors and defects on how your roofing system was installed or how your roofing materials were manufactured; this is when having a superior warranty will come in.

But before we get into what a warranty does cover and what are some factors that we should consider, we have to first look into what are the roofing materials that warranties cover.

 

Do Warranties Cover Every Roofing Material?

Since roofs usually have a lifespan that will last for around 3 – 4 decades on average, warranties have to be long enough in the same way roofs can protect your home for 20 – 35 years on average. Homeowners have to be aware that a warranty of 5 years will not cut it since most roofs will show signs of deterioration and the need for servicing right after 10 – 15 years. If you ask a roofing contractor, they’ll say that they have never come across anybody who wanted to have their roof replaced after 5 years.

In most cases, durable and long-lasting roofs like metal shingles or slate tile roofs have warranties that will last 20 – 30 years since manufacturers are confident that their roofing materials will usually last a long time. It’s best to keep this in mind when looking for the right materials for the job.

 

What Does A Roofing Warranty Cover?

Usually, warranties are quite specific about what they cover. If you end up making the wrong decision for your roof, your warranty might become void. As such, it’s best to start looking at what your warranty does cover before making any permanent decisions on your roof.

 

FACTORY DEFECTS

Just like every other product that’s available in the market, warranties are there to make sure that you will have the satisfaction that you deserve. In most cases, roofing materials are tested to make sure that they do not show any early signs of wearing out and tearing. However, if these materials to prematurely wear out and tear, then your warranty will be there to help you out.

 

LONG COVERAGE

How long your warranties will remain valid will also depend on the roofing material that you’re using. For example, roofing materials like 3-tab shingles and other asphalt shingles will have a warranty of 25 years which is fine for a roofing material that will also last the same lifespan. However, 25 years of warranty will not cut it for something like a slate tile roof which can last for more than 75 years under the right conditions.

 

POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP

Roofing maintenance and repair are usually conducted annually so your roofing contractors can check the state of your roof and inspect for any damages. Whether you need to replace your shingles or you need to have some structures nailed and riveted back in place, there’s bound to be some human errors that will take place. Botched-up repairs can compromise the integrity of your roof. Long-term warranties can protect you from botched-up installation and repairs.

 

Working With A Roofing Contractor

Once you are ready to install or replace your new roofing system, you should get a licensed and trust-worthy roofing contractor that can make sure that your roof is properly installed and maintained. Having experienced roofing contractors can help mitigate any man-made errors and poor craftsmanship that might result in thousands of dollars worth of damages.

At the end of the day, it’s best to choose the right roofing material for the job with a long-term warranty. Ensuring that your roof is in the right condition should always be the priority.