Two Warranties, Two Very Different Things
When someone tells you their roof has a "50-year warranty," they are usually talking about the manufacturer warranty on the shingles. That is one piece of the puzzle. The other -- and arguably more important -- piece is the workmanship warranty from your contractor.
Understanding both is critical because the gaps between them are where homeowners get stuck with unexpected repair bills.
The Manufacturer Warranty
This covers defects in the shingle itself. If the shingle fails due to a manufacturing defect -- premature cracking, granule adhesion failure, or delamination that is not caused by weather or installation error -- the manufacturer will cover replacement materials.
What the manufacturer warranty typically does NOT cover:
- Damage from storms, wind, hail, or acts of nature
- Problems caused by improper installation
- Damage from foot traffic or antenna/satellite dish installation
- Normal wear and aging
- Algae, moss, or biological growth
- Problems caused by inadequate attic ventilation
That last one is important. Most manufacturer warranties require proper attic ventilation as a condition of coverage. If your ventilation does not meet their specs, they can deny the entire claim.
The Workmanship Warranty
This comes from your contractor and covers installation errors. Did the crew nail the shingles wrong? Did they botch the flashing? Did they skip the ice and water shield? A workmanship warranty covers these failures.
The catch: workmanship warranties are only as good as the company behind them. A storm chaser who gave you a "10-year workmanship warranty" is useless when they have dissolved their LLC and left Missouri six months after your install.
What Voids Your Warranty
Common actions that can void one or both warranties:
- Pressure washing: This strips granules and is explicitly excluded by most manufacturers
- Installing satellite dishes: Penetrations made after installation that are not properly sealed
- Layering new shingles over old: Many warranties require a tear-off to bare deck
- Painting or coating shingles: Alters the product and voids coverage
- Improper ventilation changes: Adding or removing ventilation without maintaining manufacturer specs
How to Protect Your Coverage
- Keep all warranty documentation in a safe, accessible place
- Register your warranty with the manufacturer (many require this within 30 days)
- Use a certified installer when possible -- this can upgrade your warranty coverage significantly
- Maintain your roof according to manufacturer recommendations
- Document any maintenance or repairs with photos and receipts
Our Warranty Commitment
Every Vulcan Construction roof comes with a comprehensive workmanship warranty backed by a local company that is not going anywhere. Combined with top-tier manufacturer warranties from the brands we install, your roof is covered from every angle. Request an estimate and we will walk you through the warranty specifics for your project.