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Coverage

What your warranty actually covers

Most homeowners are handed a certificate they never read. Here is the plain-English version of how roof warranties work and where they fail.

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Two halves

Material vs workmanship

Manufacturer

Material coverage

Covers defects in the shingles and accessories themselves. Standard limited warranties are prorated — coverage shrinks year by year, so a claim in year 20 is worth a fraction of the replacement cost.

Installer

Workmanship coverage

Covers installation errors, which is where the overwhelming majority of roof failures actually originate. A contractor-only workmanship warranty is worth exactly as long as the contractor stays in business.

The upgrade

50-year non-prorated system

When a complete manufacturer system is installed to manufacturer spec — starter strip, leak barrier, synthetic underlayment, shingles, ridge cap and balanced ventilation all from one manufacturer — the roof qualifies for an enhanced system warranty.

The meaningful differences: coverage is non-prorated for the first decades rather than declining from day one, workmanship is backed by the manufacturer rather than only the installer, and tear-off and disposal are included in a covered claim.

Coverage is transferable, which matters at resale — a documented, registered system warranty is a line item buyers and home inspectors both take seriously.

Fine print

What voids coverage

Inadequate ventilation

Nearly every manufacturer requires balanced intake and exhaust. Unbalanced attics are the most common denial reason we see.

Mixed accessories

Using another brand's starter, underlayment or ridge cap drops the roof out of system coverage.

Unregistered installs

Enhanced warranties must be registered after completion. We register yours and send you the certificate.

RoofingCat AI Assistant

Ask the RoofingCat AI Assistant about this page

Want your existing warranty reviewed?

Bring us the paperwork from your last roof. We'll tell you what's still covered, what's prorated away, and whether the install actually qualifies.

Call (860) 333-8802
(860) 333-8802