Roofing Warranties, Explained
Warranty is one of the most misunderstood words in roofing — and the confusion usually works in the contractor's favour, not yours.
When a roofer says “lifetime warranty”, ask which one they mean. There are two, they cover completely different things, and only one of them is theirs to give.
The manufacturer warranty
This comes from whoever made the shingles, and it covers the product — a manufacturing defect in the material itself. It does not cover the roof being installed badly. Manufacturer warranties are also usually prorated, meaning the payout shrinks every year, and they are frequently voided by things people do not expect: inadequate attic ventilation, an unapproved fastening pattern, or shingling over an old roof.
Product defects are rare. Most roofs that fail early do not fail because the shingle was faulty.
The workmanship warranty
This comes from the contractor, and it covers the installation — the nailing, the flashing, the details. This is the one that actually matters, because bad installation is what fails, and it is also the one that is only as good as the company standing behind it.
A twenty-five year workmanship warranty from a crew that leaves the state after hail season is worth nothing. A shorter one from a business with a permanent address you can drive to is worth considerably more. That is not a sales line — it is just arithmetic.
Questions to ask any roofer, including us
- Which warranty are you actually offering me — the manufacturer’s, yours, or both?
- What specifically voids it? Get ventilation and fastening in writing.
- Is the manufacturer warranty prorated, and from when?
- Is your workmanship warranty transferable if I sell the house?
- What is your Oklahoma CIB registration number? (You can verify it at verifyroofing.cib.ok.gov.)
- How long have you been at your current address?
Our warranty
We will put our workmanship warranty in writing on your estimate, in plain language, before you agree to anything — including what voids it. Ask us about the options for your specific roof and material when we come out.
This page is general information about how roofing warranties work. It is not the terms of any particular warranty. The terms that apply to your roof are the ones written on your estimate and your manufacturer’s documentation.
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