In order to provide a comparison and contrast between different roofing warranties, let’s start with the basics of roofing warranties you’ll encounter in the roofing industry: a standard manufacturer’s warranty, a workmanship warranty, and a manufacturer’s systems warranty.
Standard Manufacturer’s Warranty
Pros: These warranties typically cover any manufacturing defects that may be present in the roofing materials, such as shingles or tiles. This type of warranty can range anywhere from 10 to 50 years, depending on the manufacturer and the specific product purchased. It is often prorated, which means the coverage decreases over time.
Cons: The main limitation of a standard manufacturer’s warranty is that it only covers defects in the roofing materials themselves. It does not cover installation errors, which are a common cause of roofing problems. Additionally, these warranties are often voided if the roofing system is not installed exactly to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Workmanship Warranty
Pros: Also known as a contractor’s or labor warranty, this type of warranty covers the installation work performed by the roofing contractor. If your roof was improperly installed, the contractor is responsible for making the necessary repairs at no cost to you. This warranty can last anywhere from 1 to 10 years, depending on the contractor.
Cons: While this warranty provides peace of mind regarding the quality of installation, it doesn’t cover the roofing materials themselves. Also, the length and comprehensiveness of the warranty can vary greatly from one contractor to another. If your contractor goes out of business or is otherwise unreachable, the warranty may be useless.
Manufacturer’s Systems Warranty
Pros: This comprehensive warranty covers both the materials used in your roof and the overall installation process. Manufacturers offer these warranties to customers who have their roofs installed by certified contractors, ensuring that the entire roofing system (both products and workmanship) is under warranty. These warranties often last longer than either standard manufacturer’s or workmanship warranties.
Cons: Systems warranties typically require the use of specific products and installation procedures, which can limit your choices and potentially increase the cost of your roofing project. Furthermore, these warranties often require regular maintenance, and failure to adhere to these requirements can void the warranty.
Overall, there isn’t a single best type of warranty as the value is largely dependent on your specific situation and needs. It is recommended to get a clear understanding of what is and isn’t covered by any warranty before making a purchase. Additionally, always work with reputable manufacturers and contractors to ensure the quality of both your roofing materials and installation.
Which Shingle Manufacturer has the Best System Warranty?
Choosing the “best” warranty depends on your specific needs, your budget, and the professional advice of your certified contractor. However, here’s a comparative analysis of the three warranties based on their specifics:
IKO ProFormance IronClad Warranty: This warranty stands out for its comprehensive protection during the IronClad Protection period. It covers the cost of labor, material replacement, and disposal fees in the case of a manufacturing defect. Its 15-year non-prorated period is an attractive feature, and the 20-year workmanship coverage is longer than the other two warranties. However, IKO requires an IKO RoofPRO Select contractor for installation, which may limit your options.
GAF Golden Pledge Warranty: This warranty stands out for the extent of its coverage. It includes both manufacturing defects and workmanship for up to 50 years and 20 years respectively. It also covers tear-off costs, disposal costs, and is transferable, which adds value. However, it’s only available if installed by a GAF’s factory-certified Master Elite Contractor.
GAF Silver Pledge Warranty: The Silver Pledge Warranty provides a good balance between cost and coverage. It offers lifetime coverage for manufacturing defects and 10-year workmanship coverage. It also covers tear-off and disposal costs which is a plus. However, its coverage may not be as extensive as the Golden Pledge Warranty.
Owens Corning Preferred Protection Warranty: This warranty provides lifetime coverage for manufacturing defects and 10 years for workmanship. It also covers wind damage and offers transferability. However, unlike the GAF warranties, it does not cover tear-off costs or disposal of defective shingles.
In terms of length and comprehensiveness, the IKO ProFormance IronClad Warranty and GAF Golden Pledge Warranty appear to offer the most extensive coverage. However, the best warranty for you will depend on your specific circumstances, including your budget, the specific roofing materials you plan to use, and the contractors available in your area. Remember to always read and understand the warranty details before making a decision.
A Detailed Analysis of Roofing Manufacturer’s System Warranties
IKO ProFormance IronClad Warranty
An IKO RoofPRO Select contractor has the ability to offer the IKO ProFormance IronClad Warranty. This is considered one of the best and most comprehensive warranties provided by IKO.
Here are the key points of the IKO ProFormance IronClad Warranty:
Materials Coverage: IKO covers manufacturing defects that could affect performance for the lifetime of the shingles. This includes coverage for all qualifying IKO roofing components used in the roofing system.
Workmanship Coverage: The ProFormance warranty provides coverage for the workmanship of the roofing installation. This includes labor and is covered for a period of up to 20 years.
“IronClad” Protection: For the first 20 years under the ProFormance warranty, homeowners will receive what IKO calls “IronClad” protection. This means that, in the case of a manufacturing defect, IKO will cover the cost of labor, material replacement, and disposal fees during this non-prorated period.
Transferability: The warranty can be transferred from the original consumer to the next owner of the building during the first 15 years after installation.
Requirements: To be eligible for the ProFormance warranty, the roof must be installed by a RoofPRO Select contractor and include certain IKO components, such as IKO shingles, synthetic underlay, ice and water protector, starter strips, and hip and ridge cap shingles.
As always, it’s essential to read and understand the warranty before purchasing. The contractor or the manufacturer should be able to provide a copy of the warranty for homeowners to review in detail. It’s also crucial to ensure the roofing system is properly maintained and any necessary repairs are promptly addressed, as failure to do so could potentially void the warranty.
Owens Corning Preferred Protection Warranty
The Owens Corning Preferred Protection Warranty is a comprehensive roofing system warranty that combines coverage for manufacturing defects and workmanship issues. Here are the details:
Material Defect Coverage:
Coverage Term: The Preferred Protection Warranty offers Lifetime (as long as you own your home) coverage against manufacturing defects for all Owens Corning shingles and qualifying accessory products.
TRU PROtection® Period: During the first 15 years (for most shingles), Owens Corning provides a non-prorated warranty period wherein they will cover 100% of the cost of labor and materials to repair or replace defective shingles.
Wind Warranty: This warranty also covers damage from wind gusts up to 130 mph with special installation.
Workmanship Coverage:
Coverage Term: Workmanship coverage is provided for a period of 10 years and covers workmanship errors during the installation process.
Cost Coverage: During the workmanship coverage period, Owens Corning will bear the cost of labor involved in repairing the defective workmanship and provide replacement materials as required.
Additional Features:
Transferability: The warranty is transferable once for free during the first ten years.
Limitations: The Owens Corning Preferred Protection Warranty requires that the roof be installed by an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and include certain Owens Corning components.
Important Disclosure: It does not cover tear-off costs or disposal costs of defective shingles.
Please keep in mind that these details may have changed post-September 2021, or they may differ slightly based on the specific Owens Corning shingle products used. Always consult the actual warranty document or an Owens Corning representative for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
The GAF Silver Pledge Warranty
The GAF Silver Pledge Warranty is one of the strongest warranty options provided by GAF. It combines both manufacturer defects coverage and workmanship coverage for a more comprehensive protection plan. Here are the details:
Material Defect Coverage:
Coverage Term: It provides Lifetime coverage (50 years for commercial properties) for manufacturing defects that affect the performance of GAF roofing materials.
Cost Coverage: During the non-prorated period, GAF will provide both materials and labor to correct the manufacturing defect and to replace affected GAF roofing materials. After this period, material costs may be prorated.
Exclusive Remedy Period: For the first 10 years, GAF will provide both labor and material to repair the affected roofing area if there’s a manufacturing defect, without any charge to the homeowner.
Wind Warranty: It also covers damage from wind gusts up to 130 mph with a special installation, but the precise speed might vary by product and location.
Workmanship Coverage:
Coverage Term: It offers Smart Choice® Protection Period for workmanship for 10 years from the installation, which covers misapplication of not only shingles but also most other GAF accessories, including misapplication of certain flashings.
Cost Coverage: During this period, GAF will bear the cost of labor involved in repairing the defective workmanship and will also provide replacement GAF materials required.
Additional Features:
Tear-Off Costs: If repair or replacement of your GAF products is necessary, GAF will cover the reasonable cost of tearing off your GAF products, including the removal of metal work and flashing.
Disposal Costs: GAF will also cover the reasonable cost of disposing of your GAF products only.
Transferability: The warranty is freely transferable to the subsequent owner during the Smart Choice Protection Period.
Please note that this warranty must be offered by a GAF certified contractor, and the roof must be installed following GAF’s specifications to qualify for the warranty. For the exact terms and any changes to the Silver Pledge Warranty, always refer to the actual warranty document and consult with a GAF representative.
GAF Golden Pledge Warranty
The GAF Golden Pledge Warranty is considered the most robust warranty option provided by GAF. It encompasses both manufacturing defect coverage and workmanship coverage, providing an advanced level of protection for homeowners. Here are the key details:
Material Defect Coverage:
Coverage Term: The warranty offers Lifetime coverage (typically considered to be 50 years) for any manufacturing defects affecting the performance of the entire GAF roofing system, not just the shingles.
Cost Coverage: For the first 20 years, GAF covers the full cost of labor for repair or replacement due to manufacturing defects. After this period, labor costs may be prorated.
Wind Warranty: It covers damage from wind gusts up to 130 mph with a special installation, but the exact speed may vary based on the specific product and location.
Workmanship Coverage:
Coverage Term: GAF provides workmanship coverage for a period of 20 years. This includes any mistakes made during installation and covers the misapplication of specific flashings.
Cost Coverage: During this period, GAF will cover the cost of labor involved in rectifying defective workmanship and will also provide replacement GAF materials as required.
Additional Features:
Tear-Off Costs: If repair or replacement of your GAF roofing system is necessary due to a manufacturing defect, GAF will cover the cost of tearing off the old material.
Disposal Costs: Disposal costs are fully covered for both material defects and workmanship. This means that GAF will cover the cost of disposing of your old roofing materials if replacement is necessary.
Transferability: The warranty is transferable once for free during its lifetime, making it a valuable feature if you plan to sell your home in the future.
Installer Certification: This warranty is only available for roofing systems installed by GAF’s factory-certified Master Elite Contractors. This ensures that the installation is done by trained and highly skilled professionals.
Please note that this warranty must be offered by a GAF Master Elite contractor, and the roof must be installed following GAF’s specifications to qualify for the warranty. For the exact terms and any changes to the Golden Pledge Warranty, always refer to the actual warranty document and consult with a GAF representative.
Secure Your Roof’s Future with Green Collar Roofing
Unrivaled Expertise and Comprehensive Warranties
Choosing the right roofing company is about more than just price. It’s about understanding the value of what you’re getting, and Green Collar Roofing is committed to providing that value. Our services come with a wide array of warranties, including the most comprehensive ones from IKO, GAF, and Owens Corning. These warranties, ranging from materials to workmanship to system-wide coverage, assure you peace of mind knowing your investment is protected for years to come.
We understand that navigating the world of roofing warranties can be complex, and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process. Our team of experts can help you understand the pros and cons of each warranty and how they fit into your specific needs and budget. We’ll work with you to ensure you’re getting the best value for your investment, both in terms of the quality of your roof and the coverage of your warranty.
No matter the warranty you choose, remember that a warranty is only as good as the roofing company that stands behind it. At Green Collar Roofing, we’re not just about selling you a roof; we’re about building a lasting relationship based on trust, quality, and superior service.
Don’t leave the safety of your home and the value of your investment to chance. Contact Green Collar Roofing today. Fill out our web form or give us a call 845-344-2029 for a free estimate. Allow us to guide you through the complexities of roofing warranties, offering our knowledge and experience to find the solution that best fits your needs. Your roof is a major investment; make sure it’s a smart one with Green Collar Roofing.
