Roofing
Roof Warranties: Manufacturer vs Workmanship
A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing materials. A workmanship warranty covers mistakes the roofer makes installing them. They are separate promises, usually from separate companies. GAF's own technical bulletin says its standard shingle warranty "does not warrant the workmanship of the roofer who installs the roof." Some upgraded manufacturer warranties add workmanship coverage, but only when a certified contractor installs the roof. Neither one replaces insurance. Hail, fallen trees, and wind above the warranty limit are homeowners insurance matters.
On a newer roof, a leak often traces back to a detail like flashing or a pipe boot, not a bad shingle. That is why the workmanship side deserves as much attention as the brand name on the bundle.
What does a manufacturer's roof warranty cover?
It covers manufacturing defects in the shingles and the accessories made by that company. I will use GAF as the example because its documents are public and detailed, and because we install GAF roofs.
GAF's standard Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty comes with the product. You do not need a certain contractor. It does not cover:
- Damage from improper installation, "if the improper installation was the cause of the damage"
- "Inadequate ventilation"
- Failure to hand-seal shingles installed in cold weather
- "Acts of nature, such as hail, fire, or winds (including gusts) over the applicable wind speed"
- Foot traffic or objects blown onto the roof
- Most ice damming
- Discoloration from moss, lichen, or algae, except blue-green algae on shingles with GAF's StainGuard labels
- Tear-off, disposal, flashings, and metal work
- Damage inside the house, "including, but not limited to, mold growth"
Read that list twice. The standard warranty does not cover damage caused by poor installation or poor ventilation. It does include limited wind coverage, under the conditions the warranty states.
What does "lifetime" mean on a shingle warranty?
GAF's warranty comparison guide defines "Lifetime" as "as long as you, the original owner(s)" own the property. It applies to single-family detached homes owned by individuals. For other owners, such as a church, business, or condo association, the term is 40 years.
Lifetime does not mean full coverage forever. GAF's standard warranty has a 10-year "Smart Choice Protection Period." After that, any remedy "will be reduced to reflect the use you have received" from the shingles.
What is a workmanship warranty?
A workmanship warranty usually comes from your roofer. Some enhanced manufacturer warranties, like GAF's Silver Pledge and Golden Pledge, also cover certain installation errors. It covers problems caused by how the roof was installed. Common examples are flashing that was not lapped right, nails in the wrong spot, or a pipe boot that was not sealed.
Every contractor writes its own. The length, what it covers, and whether it transfers vary a lot. Some are a single line on an invoice. When you compare estimates, ask each roofer:
- How long is the workmanship warranty, in years?
- What does it cover, and what does it exclude?
- Is it in writing, and will it be in my contract?
- Does it transfer if I sell the house?
- What do I do if I have a leak, and how fast will someone come out?
A long workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. If the roofer is gone in three years, so is the warranty.
What are enhanced manufacturer warranties?
Manufacturers also offer upgraded "system" warranties. These need more of their accessory products, and some need a certified contractor. Here is how GAF's options compare for Timberline shingles, from GAF's comparison guide:
| GAF warranty | Who can offer it | Non-prorated period | Tear-off and disposal | Workmanship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shingle & Accessory | Comes with the product | 10 years | Not covered | Not covered |
| Roofing System | Any installer, with 3 qualifying accessories | 10 years | Not covered | Not covered |
| System Plus | GAF Certified, Certified Plus, or Master Elite contractor | 50 years | Covered when necessary | Not covered |
| Silver Pledge | GAF Certified Plus or Master Elite contractor | 50 years | Covered when necessary | 10 years on Timberline HDZ; 15 years on Timberline AS II and UHDZ |
| Golden Pledge | GAF Master Elite contractor | 50 years | Covered when necessary | Lifetime, with the first 25 years non-prorated on Timberline HDZ and 30 on AS II and UHDZ |
The Silver Pledge and Golden Pledge warranties are where a manufacturer backs some of the installation work. That is a meaningful difference. It also has conditions. Each level needs a minimum number of GAF accessories, such as starter strips, ridge caps, leak barrier, roof deck protection, and ventilation.
GAF also notes that certified contractors "are not employees or agents of GAF." The certification is a program the roofer joins. It does not make GAF responsible for everything the roofer does.
How do you transfer a roof warranty when you sell?
Check before you list the house. Under GAF's standard warranty:
- It can be transferred only once.
- The second owner "must notify GAF in writing within one year after the property transfer."
- If the transfer happens within the Smart Choice Protection Period, the new owner gets the same coverage.
- If it happens after, coverage drops to two years, and payment is reduced for the use the shingles have had.
Workmanship warranties have their own rules. Ask your roofer.
How do you file a roof warranty claim?
GAF's warranty says you must notify GAF "within 30 days after you notice a problem." You will need proof of the install date and that you owned the home then. GAF may ask for photos and shingle samples, sent at your expense.
I tell every homeowner to keep one folder with the contract, the final invoice, the warranty registration, and photos of the finished roof. When you need it, you will not be hunting.
Is a roof warranty the same as insurance?
No. GAF's Timberline HDZ product page states plainly: "Hail damage is not covered under the limited warranty." Hail, fallen trees, and wind above the warranty limit go to your homeowners insurance. Our Ohio storm claim guide explains that process.
Wind warranties have their own speed limits and installation rules. Our guide to shingle wind ratings breaks those down.
What can void or weaken a warranty claim?
Most of it comes back to the exclusions above. In plain terms:
- Poor ventilation. See our guide to attic ventilation.
- Installation that ignores the instructions, when that causes the damage.
- Mixing brands when a system warranty needs one maker's accessories.
- Pressure washing. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association warns it is likely to damage asphalt roofing, and damage you cause is not a manufacturing defect. Our roof algae guide covers safe cleaning.
- Later work by others, such as a satellite dish, solar panels, or a skylight, that cuts into the roof. Ask how new work affects your warranty before it starts.
How Shamrock can help
We are a GAF Certified Plus contractor. On GAF's chart, that tier can offer the System Plus and Silver Pledge warranties on qualifying roofs. When we give you an estimate, ask us which manufacturer warranty applies, what it requires, and what workmanship coverage comes with the job. Get the answers in writing. Request a free estimate or learn more about our roofing services.
FAQ
Does a roof warranty cover leaks? A standard manufacturer warranty covers leaks only if a defect in its product caused them. Leaks from flashing or nailing errors usually fall under the roofer's workmanship warranty. Some enhanced warranties, like GAF's Silver Pledge, also cover certain installation errors.
Is a 50-year shingle really covered for 50 years? Not at full value for the whole term on a standard warranty. Read how long the non-prorated period lasts. On GAF's standard warranty it is 10 years.
Do I need to register my shingle warranty? Ask your roofer who registers it and when. Keep a copy of the registration with your contract.
Does a roof warranty cover hail damage? No. GAF's warranty excludes hail. Hail damage is a homeowners insurance matter.