In the roofing industry, the word “Lifetime” is thrown around constantly. You see it on shingle bundles, in contractor brochures, and on websites.
But if you read the fine print, “Lifetime” rarely means your lifetime.1 In the legal language of warranties, it often refers to the “useful commercial life” of the product, which might be defined as little as 10 years before the coverage starts shrinking.
At Copper Sky Roofing, we believe you deserve to know exactly what you are buying. A roofing warranty is actually two separate agreements, and understanding the difference can save you thousands of dollars down the road.
Part 1: The Manufacturer Warranty (The Material)
This warranty comes from the company that made the shingles or tiles (e.g., Owens Corning, TAMKO, Eagle).
- What it Covers: Defects in the manufacturing. If the shingles blister, crack, or lose granules prematurely due to a factory error.
- What it Excludes: Everything else. If the roofer nailed the shingle incorrectly, if a storm blows them off, or if your attic ventilation is poor, the manufacturer pays $0.
- The “Proration” Trap: Most standard warranties offer 100% coverage for the first 10 years (the “non-prorated period”).2 After year 11, the value drops significantly every year. By year 20, the warranty might only cover 20% of the cost of materials—and zero labor.
Part 2: The Workmanship Warranty (The Labor)
This warranty comes from the contractor who installs the roof.3 This is the most important piece of paper you will sign.
- What it Covers: The installation. If a tile slides out of place because it wasn’t fastened correctly, or if a leak develops around a chimney because the flashing was sloppy, the contractor fixes it for free.
- Why it Matters: 90% of roof failures are due to installation error, not bad materials. A great shingle installed poorly will leak in two years. A standard shingle installed perfectly can last 25 years.
The Power of Certified Installers
The best warranties in the industry happen when the manufacturer and the contractor join forces.
Top-tier manufacturers like CertainTeed offer credentialed contractors the ability to sell “Extended Systems Warranties.” Because these manufacturers trust the contractor’s training, they will stand behind both the materials and the workmanship for a much longer period (often 25 to 50 years non-prorated).
- Note: Only a small percentage of roofers qualify to offer these elite warranties.4 Always ask your contractor for their certification badges.
How to Void Your Warranty (Don’t Do This!)
We see homeowners accidentally void their expensive warranties all the time. Here are the most common mistakes:
- Satellite Dishes: bolting a dish directly through the shingles often voids the warranty for that entire section of the roof.5
- Pressure Washing: blasting your roof to clean it strips the protective granules off shingles.6
- unlicensed Repairs: Letting a handyman “patch” a leak with silicone can void the warranty on the surrounding area.
Get a Warranty You Can Trust
Don’t settle for a handshake or a vague promise. You need a written guarantee that covers both the product and the craftsmanship.
At Copper Sky Roofing, we stand behind our work with robust workmanship guarantees that match the quality of the materials we install. If you want a roof that is protected on paper as well as it is in practice, call us at +1 480-410-4169 today.