Understanding Roofing Warranties: Manufacturer vs Workmanship

Two warranties, two different things

Every new shingle roof comes with two separate warranties: one from the shingle manufacturer (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, etc.) and one from the contractor who installed it. They cover different things, and a lot of homeowner confusion comes from not understanding the difference.

Manufacturer warranty

The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves. If a batch of shingles was made wrong, loses granules prematurely, or fails in a way that traces back to the product, the manufacturer stands behind it.

Most modern asphalt shingles carry a "lifetime limited" manufacturer warranty. "Lifetime" usually means as long as the original homeowner owns the home. "Limited" means the coverage shrinks over time and often only covers the cost of replacement shingles, not labor to install them.

Upgraded warranties (GAF Golden Pledge, Owens Corning Platinum, CertainTeed SureStart PLUS) require installation by a certified contractor and cover labor and materials for a longer period. They usually cost a little more at install time and are worth asking about.

Workmanship warranty

The workmanship warranty comes from the contractor and covers how the roof was installed. If a nail was driven wrong, a flashing was poorly cut, or the valleys leak because of an installation error, that is workmanship.

Workmanship warranties vary. Some contractors offer a year or two, others offer five, ten, or even lifetime workmanship. Longer is better, but only if the contractor is stable enough to still be in business when you need them.

What to ask before signing

Ask specifically what warranty you are getting on the shingles, what upgraded coverage is available, and what the workmanship warranty covers and for how long. Get it in writing.

A roof with a lifetime manufacturer warranty is only as good as the company installing it. Both warranties matter.