Roofing Warranties:
Are You Covered?

Contractor Warranty vs. Manufacturer Warranty

There are two types of roofing warranties to consider: one by the contractor, which covers installation and workmanship, and another by the shingle manufacturer which covers the roofing materials themselves.

Duval Roofing offers a 10-year warranty on workmanship, one of the longest contractor warranties in the industry. The warranty covers any defects in workmanship and excludes problems caused by weather events or materials.

One of the most important considerations when evaluating roofing warranties is the ability  of the contractor to deliver on them. Duval has been in business since 1991, has installed more than 7,000 roofs using an experienced crew of roofers, many of whom have been with the company more than 10 years. Duval has hundreds of references from satisfied customers in your neighborhood. These are some of the reasons that you know you can count on Duval Roofing to stand behind their work. On the other hand, a roofing contractor with only a couple years in business who offers a 10-year warranty may not provide the same security.

What Shingle Manufacturer Warranties Cover

Manufacturers’ warranties depend on the type of shingles used. The two most common types of shingles are 3-tab and architectural. However, on the North Shore of Massachusetts only architectural shingles are up to code, largely because they offer greater wind protection.

Most manufacturer warranties cover architectural shingles for 30 years. These warranties typically cover materials only and are pro-rated, so if you discover a problem at year 15 that the manufacturer agrees is a material defect, you could expect to recover only part of the material cost and nothing for the installation and labor.

Manufacturers also offer a deluxe “50-year” shingle that is thicker than the standard. The 50-year shingles may also offer colors and designs not available in the 30-year shingles. Pricing differences are less than you might imagine. Duval is happy to quote pricing on whatever shingles you are considering.

The “Limited Lifetime Warranty” usually refers to a warranty on architectural shingles that could run from 10 to 30 years. It is typically limited to the current homeowner, applies only to materials and not to workmanship, and does not cover damage due to extreme weather or to construction factors such as inadequate insulation or ventilation.

So how do you choose? First, pick the style and color of shingle that fits your home and your design ideals most closely. Then consider how long you are likely to remain in the home. Most warranties are not transferable to new owners.

When There Is A Roof Problem

Duval only works with leading shingle manufacturers who have been in operation for decades. In most cases, a homeowner’s first line of inquiry will be with the roofing contractor if they suspect a problem with materials. Occasional batches of defective shingles have been produced by even the most reputable of manufacturers. Unfortunately roofing contractors are no more able than the homeowner to tell whether a batch of shingles is defective.

But Ken Duval has been in business long enough that he can spot whether a problem might be due to a materials issue or some other roof problem. For example, Duval re-roofed a church in Peabody where cracked shingles indicated that the prior roof had been installed in the late 80s with GAF shingles that were later found to be defective. While the warranty did not apply in this case, a knowledgeable contractor can be your best source of information and advice if you suspect a problem with purchased roofing materials.

Enhanced Warranties for Certified Contractors

Manufacturers know that proper installation prevents most roofing problems, so some offer longer warranties through contractors whom they certify. Duval Roofing is certified by both GAF and TAMKO – two of the leading shingle manufacturers – and therefore can offer longer and more inclusive warranties for roofs installed with their products. 

Tamko’s Mastercraft Limited Warranty Enhancement extends the “Full Start Period” (during which both labor and materials are covered at 100%) from 10 to 30 years and the warranty transferability from 5 years to 10 years.

GAF offers three enhanced warranties when the roof is installed by one of their certified contractors like Duval. The most significant enhancement is an increase in their “Smart Choice Protection Period” (during which the cost of reasonable labor and replacement costs are covered at 100% and not prorated by date of installation) from 10 to 50 years.