Short answer: A new roof usually comes with two warranties. The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing products. The contractor’s workmanship warranty covers installation errors. Extended system warranties may combine both if specific installation requirements are met. Read the terms, register the products and keep your paperwork, because maintenance and alterations can affect coverage.
Key takeaways
- Manufacturer warranties cover materials. Workmanship warranties cover installation.
- Most leaks on newer roofs come from installation details, so the workmanship warranty matters a lot.
- Extended system warranties usually require specific matching components and installation rules.
- Coverage often depends on registration, proper maintenance and not altering the roof without care.
- Transfer rules vary. Check them if you might sell.
Manufacturer product warranty
Every major shingle, tile, metal and membrane manufacturer offers a warranty on its products. It covers manufacturing defects, such as shingles that fail early because of how they were made. The length of coverage and what it pays for varies by product and brand. Many product warranties are prorated after an initial period, meaning the manufacturer pays a decreasing share as the roof ages.
What a basic product warranty usually does not cover:
- Labor to tear off and reinstall, beyond any initial period the warranty specifies.
- Damage from installation mistakes.
- Storm, fire, falling trees and other events, which are insurance matters.
- Problems caused by poor ventilation or other building issues, depending on the terms.
For a short overview, see our answer on manufacturer warranty programs.
Extended system warranties
Many manufacturers offer enhanced warranties when the roof is installed as a full system, using their matching underlayment, starter, ridge caps and ventilation products, and sometimes only by contractors in their programs. These can extend coverage and include some labor. Requirements and availability differ by manufacturer, so ask the contractor exactly which warranty your roof will get, and get it in writing. If an enhanced warranty requires registration, make sure it is registered.
Workmanship warranty
The workmanship warranty comes from the roofing contractor and covers installation. If a flashing detail leaks or shingles were nailed wrong, this is the warranty that applies. Since most problems on a new roof come from installation, this is often the warranty you will actually use.
Questions to ask about any workmanship warranty:
- What exactly is covered, and for how long?
- How do I make a claim, and how quickly do you respond?
- Is it in writing, signed, with the contract?
- Does it transfer if I sell?
- What would void it?
A workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. Look for a licensed contractor with a real local address and a track record. Our post on finding a licensed roofer explains how to check.
Comparing the warranty types
| Warranty | Who provides it | Covers | Typical conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer product | Material maker | Product defects | Proper installation, sometimes registration |
| Extended system | Material maker | Products and sometimes some labor | Full system of matching components, registration, program rules |
| Workmanship | Roofing contractor | Installation errors | Written terms, reasonable maintenance, no unauthorized alterations |
What can void a roofing warranty
- Unauthorized alterations: new penetrations for solar, satellite dishes or vents made without proper flashing.
- Neglect: letting gutters clog, moss build up or debris sit in valleys.
- Pressure washing: high pressure can strip granules and damage shingles.
- Walking on tile or membranes carelessly, causing breakage or punctures.
- Poor ventilation that the manufacturer considers outside its terms.
- Overlaying where the product terms do not allow it.
- Failing to register products when registration is required.
If you are adding solar or other equipment after a reroof, tell your roofer first. Coordinating the attachment details protects both the roof and the warranty. See our post on solar and roofing.
Transferring warranties at home sale
Many manufacturer warranties can be transferred once to a new owner, sometimes with a notice requirement or within a set time after the sale. Workmanship warranty transfer depends on the contractor’s terms. If you might sell, ask before the roof is installed, and keep all the paperwork in one place: the contract, warranty documents, registration confirmation, permit sign-off and job photos. Buyers and their agents notice a roof that comes with clear documentation. See roofing and home sale value.
How to make a warranty claim
If you think something is wrong with a newer roof, act early and keep it simple:
- Note when and where you see the problem, such as a ceiling stain after a specific storm.
- Take photos from inside and, if you can do it safely from the ground, outside.
- Call or email the contractor who installed the roof first, even if you suspect a product defect. They can tell whether the cause is installation, product or something else, and help file a manufacturer claim if needed.
- Keep copies of all messages and the contractor’s findings.
- Do not let another roofer alter the area before the original contractor has looked, unless it is an emergency, because that can complicate coverage.
In an emergency, protect your home first. A temporary tarp or interior containment is reasonable, and documenting what was done helps any later claim.
Warranties and insurance are different
A warranty covers defects and installation errors. Homeowners insurance covers sudden damage from covered events such as wind or a falling tree, subject to your policy. If a storm damages your new roof, that is usually an insurance matter. Our insurance claims page explains how we help document damage.
Alpha Eagle’s warranty coverage
Every new roof we install comes with a written workmanship warranty, along with the manufacturer warranty for the products used. You can read the details on our warranty page, and we walk you through the terms before you sign. We also document every job with before, during and after photos in CompanyCam, which helps with any future warranty question by showing exactly how the roof was built. See our new roof installation service, or our pages for Fremont and San Rafael.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a manufacturer and workmanship warranty?
A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing products. A workmanship warranty, from the contractor, covers installation errors such as faulty flashing or nailing.
Do roofing warranties cover storm damage?
Generally no. Sudden damage from wind, falling trees or other events is usually a homeowners insurance matter, subject to your policy.
Can I transfer my roof warranty when I sell?
Many manufacturer warranties can be transferred once, sometimes with a notice requirement. Workmanship warranty transfer depends on the contractor’s terms, so ask up front.
Will installing solar void my roof warranty?
It can if attachments are not properly flashed or the warranty terms restrict alterations. Coordinate with your roofer before panels are installed.
Want to see exactly what our warranty covers on your roof? Request a free inspection and written estimate, or call (415) 410-7917.
