Roofing warranty – facts and myths

Roofing warranty – facts and myths

A warranty is the basis for making a claim. It is a statement by the retailer/manufacturer (warrantor) regarding the quality of the goods.

The warranty stipulates the guarantor's obligations and the buyer's rights if the technical characteristics of the goods sold differ from those specified in the warranty certificate. That's the theory.

When choosing roofing materials, many people opt for the retailer offering the longest warranty period. It certainly sounds appealing – for example, a 50-year warranty. But what exactly does that mean? Are we protected during that period?

How many prospective buyers read the warranty sheet? I think it's safe to say that it's only a few percent of all buyers, and it is on this sheet that the guarantor sets out the conditions on which the warranty is granted and the obligations of both the guarantor and the buyer.

Let us present several obligations of the Buyer that may appear in the warranty card:

• proper storage – no longer than a certain period of time from the date of purchase;
• Correct installation – it may be that all roof elements and accessories must be sourced from a single manufacturer, otherwise the warranty will be void.
• warranty inspections – according to precisely defined deadlines;
• send the correctly completed warranty form with the roofing company's stamp and signature to the manufacturer within the specified time. What does this mean? Mr. X, who has been working as a roofer for many years but does not have a company, will no longer be able to cover our roof unless we waive the manufacturer's warranty.

It is also very important not to lose the warranty card, as duplicates are usually not issued. The people who prepare warranties are certainly creative.

But let's get back to the 50-year warranty. Without naming specific manufacturers, this type of warranty is usually very similar to that offered for car bodywork, i.e., a warranty for paint and perforation (the appearance of holes).

The warranty for paint is usually short – 5–10 years, while perforation can last up to half a century. However, cost sharing, especially when the warranty is long-term, can result in the buyer having to cover up to 80% of the cost of replacing or repairing the roof covering.

So, before buying roofing materials, ask the sellers questions and read the warranty terms and conditions. Is it worth paying a dozen or several dozen percent more for a long warranty? This will protect us from disappointment, stress, and unnecessary costs.