Rockville Roofing: Article About Comparing Warranties On Roofing Products
A limited warranty only provides consumers with specific coverage, such as parts only and no labor or splitting the cost of replacement parts with the manufacturer. However, the interpretation of a limited warranty is at the discretion of the retailer. Therefore, consumers must fully comprehend the details surrounding a limited warranty.
FAQ from Rockville roofing experts: What should homeowners expect out of a roof warranty?There are two common types of roof warranties, coverage for defective materials provided by the manufacturer and warranties from the contractor covering any workmanship issues. Homeowners need coverage from contractors who poorly install a new roof or damage existing products during repairs. Manufacturers do not offer coverage for contractor workmanship issues.
Homeowners must compare roofing warranties that manufacturers and contractors such as Rockville roofing companies offer for products and services used to repair or install a roof. Manufacturers provide limited or extended warranties on roofing materials, including asphalt shingles, concrete or clay tiles, composite roofs, wood shakes and metal roofing.
Roofing contractors generally offer a limited warranty on improper installation, unforeseen damage or premature deterioration of roofing materials. Most of the problems homeowners face with their roofs arise from contractor workmanship. Poorly installed shingles and the use of broken tiles are common complaints among homeowners who receive a repair or new roof installation. Therefore, homeowners need a limited warranty directly from the contractor because manufacturers typically do not cover poor workmanship. Many workmanship warranties offered directly from the contractor last from five to 10 years.
Manufacturer warranties vary based on the company providing the roofing materials. Some companies offer 20 year limited warranties on three tab or architectural shingles while others may offer 30 year or 40 year limited warranties. In either case, manufacturers do offer protection from any malfunction caused by faulty materials. However, homeowners who are not the original customers who bought the materials from the manufacturer may not have coverage. The new homeowner must contact the manufacturer who provided the materials, and find out if the original consumer notified the company of a change in ownership.
A roofing expert from Seneca Creek Home Improvement of Rockville would be happy to answer any question you have about gutters or windows
If the manufacturer received a change in ownership notice, the new homeowner keeps coverage under the original warranty. Conversely, if the manufacturer did not receive a change in ownership, the new owner may lose coverage under the original warranty.
Homeowners who bought an existing home must determine if the roof they inherit has coverage on other roofing components outside of the materials provided by the manufacturers. Other components include metal flashing, underlayment or drip edge. If problems arise from other components, homeowners need to know if warranties exist that cover the cost of the repairs. The best way to find out about existing warranties is to speak with the seller. Ask the seller about the contractor who installed the roof or made the repairs. Contact the contractor and ask if a limited warranty exists for roofing components aside from the materials provided by the manufacturer.
Keep in mind that a lifetime warranty refers to the amount of time the original consumer owns a single family home where the installation or repairs occurred. In some cases, the second owner may have coverage based on the warranty details.
