Frequently Asked Questions About Roofing Warranties

What You Need to Know About Your Upcoming Roof Repair

Why are warranties important?

A new roof is a big investment, typically involving thousands of your hard-earned dollars and lasting 25, 30, 40 years or more. As with any big investment, knowing in advance what your warranty covers could save you thousands in the event that problems arise with your roof.

What are the chances of having a problem with my new roof?

Based on our state-of-the-art manufacturing process, the odds of having a problem with a new roof are minimal. On the other hand, while serious problems with the premium roofing materials we install are rare, if you were to have one, it could be expensive to fix. So while the risk is low, the cost if you do have a serious problem can be high. 

What about problems with installation?

A GAF study indicate that more than two-thirds of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship—not the roofing materials. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when deciding on warranty coverage. 

What should I look for in a roofing warranty?

Basically, there are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: coverage against material defects and coverage against workmanship errors. 

Tell me about coverage against material defects.

To the best of our knowledge, all roofing products come with a warranty against material defects, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, a typical shingle warranty will cover material defects for a period of 20, 30, 40 years or more. The warranty on the other components of your roofing system can vary from as little as a few months to several years.

It is important to remember that coverage against material defects is provided by the manufacturer, so you should select a brand from a manufacturer who is financially strong and therefore more likely to be in business for as long as you own your roof, which might be several decades! 

What is the GAF “Smart Choice® Protection Period”?

GAFs warranties come with a special provision called the Smart Choice® Protection Period that covers you against material defects during the critical early years of your new roof. During this period, in the event that you experience a material defect on covered components, GAF will provide you with 100% replacement materials and the reasonable cost of labor to install them. This is important because some roofing warranties may only provide replacement materials, but not the labor to install them. 

What is the GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty?

The GAF Weather Stopper System Plus Ltd. Warranty provides coverage against material defects for all major GAF components on your roof (not just your shingles), so you’ll have the peace of mind that if any covered roofing component fails, it will be covered by the warranty. The warranty is only available through GAF-certified contractors, and is a low-cost way to get up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage (against material defects) on your new roofing system. 

How do I get coverage against workmanship errors?

Many roofing contractors provide their own warranty against errors in workmanship, sometimes for as long as ten years or more. Obviously, that coverage is only good for as long as the contractor remains in business. Since roofing is a “high turnover” occupation, most roofing contractors are out of business within five years–far fewer years than the life of your new roof, making the warranty worthless and leaving you with nowhere to turn in the event that you have a workmanship problem. You don’t have to worry about this when you work with Arrowhead Roofing.

Are there any manufacturers that will cover the contractor’s workmanship?

Until relatively recently, there were no manufacturers that provided warranty coverage against errors in the contractor’s workmanship. Recognizing this obvious need, GAF introduced the Silver Pledge Ltd. and Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty, the first manufacturer’s warranty to cover both material defects and the contractor’s workmanship. Whether or not your contractor remains in business, GAF will stand behind our workmanship for 10 to 20 years, respectively.

The Golden Pledge and the Silver Pledge Warranties are only available through GAF Master Elite Contractors. These warranties also include an inspection by GAF’s independent inspectors. These are the strongest, safest warranties available.

How do I file a claim if I have a material defect on my GAF shingles?

Before you proceed, if possible, you should locate a copy of your GAF warranty and a copy of the contractor’s invoice, contract or original estimate. You will also need to provide the date applied, proof that you were the owner when the shingles were installed (or that the warranty was properly transferred to you) and the number of squares applied (1 square = 100 square feet).

Do You Have More Questions?

Arrowhead Roofing has answers. To learn more about roofing warranties and to get started on your roof repair, call us today at (918) 743-9257 or contact us online.