Reference cardThe Honest Roof Guide
Your Warranty, In Plain Words
Two warranties cover your new roof. They cover different things. Knowing which one applies when something goes wrong saves you weeks of back-and-forth.
The manufacturer warranty (the shingles)
- Covers: defects in the shingles themselves. Premature granule loss, color failure, manufacturing flaws.
- Filed by your roofer in your name within 30 days of completion. If you did not get an email confirmation from GAF, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed, ask for it.
- Length: 25 to 50 years depending on product and certification. A certified installer (Master Elite, Platinum Preferred) unlocks the longest warranty tiers (Golden Pledge, Platinum, etc.).
- Does not cover: leaks from flashing, install error, ice damage, or weather above design ratings.
- How to file a claim later: call the manufacturer directly with your warranty number, or call us and we file for you. Either works.
The workmanship warranty (how it was installed)
- Covers: anything that goes wrong because of how the roof was put together. Flashing leaks, nail pops, install defects.
- Filed by your roofer with the roofer. There is no third party.
- Length: ours is 10 years on workmanship. The industry standard is 1 to 5 years. Ask before you sign with anyone.
- Does not cover: storm damage above design ratings, owner-caused damage, or wear from age.
- How to file a claim: call your roofer. If the company is gone, the workmanship warranty is gone with it. That is why local matters.
When something goes wrong, here is the order
- 1. Call your roofer first. 90% of issues are workmanship, and we fix them at no charge.
- 2. If the issue turns out to be a manufacturer defect, we file the claim with the manufacturer for you.
- 3. If it is storm damage above design ratings, that is an insurance claim. We help with the documentation.
What voids your warranty
- Adding a satellite dish, solar panels, or skylights without proper flashing redone. Have us (or any qualified roofer) do the penetration.
- Pressure-washing the roof. Never do this.
- Inadequate ventilation. If you finish your attic or close off soffit vents, you cook the underside of the shingles. The manufacturer will deny the claim.
- Letting another roofer "patch" something. Have us look first. Patches by unqualified hands cancel manufacturer coverage.
Warranties are written defensively by manufacturers, and we don't pretend otherwise. The workmanship warranty is where 90 percent of real-world issues land, and that one is between you and your roofer. Pick a roofer who will still be here in ten years.