What Your Roof Warranty Actually Says: A Plain-Language Guide to Common Terms
· Colorado Roofing Association
Most homeowners sign a roof warranty without knowing what the words inside it mean. The Colorado Roofing Association put this guide together to change that. Below are eight of the most common roofing warranty terms, explained in plain language.
What Is a Limited Lifetime Warranty?
A limited lifetime warranty is a promise from the shingle maker that lasts as long as the roof is expected to work. That is usually 25 to 50 years. It does not mean the warranty lasts forever.
The word "limited" is important. It means the warranty has rules. It only covers certain problems. It does not cover everything that can go wrong with a roof. The word "lifetime" sounds like a big promise. But it refers to the life of the roof, not the life of the homeowner.
Most limited lifetime warranties also pay less over time. The older the roof gets, the less the warranty covers. This is called proration, and it is explained in more detail below. Some manufacturers offer stronger coverage called No Dollar Limit (NDL) warranties, which work differently and are worth comparing when reviewing a proposal.
What Are Defects?
A defect is a problem that was built into the material when it was made. It is not damage from a storm. It is not normal wear from age. It is a flaw that was there from the start.
Roof warranties from manufacturers are mainly designed to cover defects. If a shingle cracks or falls apart because of how it was made, that is a defect. If it cracks because a tree branch fell on it, that is damage. Damage is handled by homeowner's insurance, not the warranty.
When a homeowner makes a warranty claim, the manufacturer decides whether the problem was a defect or something else. That decision affects whether the claim is approved.
What Are Granules?
Granules are tiny, rough pieces that coat the top of asphalt shingles. They look and feel like coarse sand. They protect the shingle from the sun, rain, and heat.
Think of granules like sunscreen for the shingle. When they are there, the shingle stays protected. When they fall off too fast, the shingle breaks down sooner. Some granule loss is normal over many years. But if granules wash off quickly after a new roof is installed, that can be a sign of a defect.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) notes that granule loss rates are one of the standard things manufacturers check when a warranty claim is filed. Faster-than-normal loss can support a defect claim. Loss that matches expected aging patterns usually does not.
What Is Blistering?
Blistering is when small bubbles form on the surface of a shingle. It looks a little like a blister on skin. It usually happens because of heat or moisture that got trapped inside the shingle during manufacturing.
Some blistering is covered by a warranty. Some is not. The key question is what caused it. Blistering that started because of a manufacturing problem is usually a covered defect. Blistering that developed because of poor attic ventilation or extreme heat over time is often excluded.
When blistering opens up, it exposes the asphalt layer underneath. That can speed up how fast a roof ages. It is one of the reasons manufacturers look at blistering closely when reviewing a claim.
What Is Leakage as Defined in a Warranty?
In a roof warranty, leakage means water getting through the roof because of a defect in the materials or a mistake during installation. Not every roof leak qualifies as a warranty claim.
A leak caused by hail, wind, or storm damage is not a warranty issue. That goes through homeowner's insurance. A leak caused by a shingle that was defective when it was made, or by flashing that was installed wrong, may qualify under the right warranty. CRA's guide on hiring a contractor after hail damage covers how to tell the difference after a storm.
Warranty documents often define leakage in narrow terms. They may require that water enters a living space, not just the attic or wall cavity. Reading the exact definition in the warranty document matters when deciding whether to file a claim.
What Is Proration?
Proration means the warranty pays less as the roof gets older. In the early years, the warranty may cover most or all of the cost. By the time the roof is 20 years old, it might only cover a small part.
Here is a simple example. A 30-year prorated warranty might cover 100 percent of costs in year one. By year 15, it covers 50 percent. By year 25, it covers 20 percent. The homeowner pays the rest out of pocket each time.
Some warranties offer a non-prorated period first. During that time, the coverage stays at 100 percent. After that period ends, proration begins. A warranty that says "non-prorated for 10 years" gives full coverage for the first decade before it starts to decrease.
What Is Workmanship?
Workmanship refers to how well a roof was installed. A workmanship warranty covers mistakes the contractor made during the job. It comes from the contractor, not the manufacturer.
Think of it this way. The manufacturer is responsible for the quality of the shingles. The contractor is responsible for the quality of the installation. If flashing comes loose because it was not attached correctly, that is a workmanship issue. If a shingle cracks because it was flawed when it came off the production line, that is a manufacturer issue.
Workmanship warranties in Colorado typically last 1 to 10 years. They are only as reliable as the contractor who issued them. If that contractor goes out of business, the warranty goes with them. CRA's resources on roof maintenance cover what to keep an eye on after a new roof is installed.
What Is an Authorized Contractor?
An authorized contractor is a roofer that has been approved by the manufacturer to install or repair their products. Only authorized contractors can do work that keeps the manufacturer warranty valid.
If a homeowner uses a contractor who is not on the manufacturer's approved list, the manufacturer warranty can be canceled. This is true even if the repair was done well. The rule is about who did the work, not just how it was done.
Before hiring a contractor for any repair on a roof that is still under manufacturer warranty, it is worth checking whether they are authorized for that product. CRA's resources on selecting a professional roofing contractor include guidance on what to verify before signing a contract.
Finding a Contractor Who Can Walk You Through the Warranty
A good contractor will explain warranty terms before the job starts. They will say what is covered, what is not, and what the homeowner needs to do to keep coverage active.
Colorado homeowners can search CRA's directory of vetted, licensed, and insured roofing contractors at coloradoroofing.org/members.