How to Get the Best Roof Warranty

Published on Wednesday May 17, 2017

Roof Warranty Notes for Smart Homeowners

A roof warranty gives a homeowner real peace of mind after making a major home investment. Like any warranty, however, your roof warranty should make sure you understand the protection you are receiving. Let’s take a closer look at the components of a rock-solid roofing warranty.

The Whole Roof System Should Be Covered

The whole roof system includes:

Shingles
Ventilation
Flashing
Underlayment
Roof Deck

Each section has a unique job that is impacted by the materials and installation techniques used to build out the whole roof system. Two roofs can have the same shingles, for example, but if these shingles are applied with a nail gun when they need to be hand-nailed, your roof warranty may not have you covered. A roof warranty that calls for a specific product to be used may be voided if a cheaper substitute is selected instead.

Read: Understanding the whole roof system

Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the part of your roof that you can see, so there’s a good chance that you’re going to be particularly interested in shingle quality. Be sure to know the warranty details for the shingles you’ve chosen. Shingles tend to carry the weight of a roof warranty — many shingle warranties stipulate specific installation requirements that need to be validated through the manufacturer.

Ventilation

Most shingle manufacturers require adequate roof ventilation to warranty their products. Ventilation includes ridge and eave vents, power vents, gable vents, etc. Power vents, which have more complex, motorized parts, may not be warranted for the same period as a high-quality ridge vent. This is normal, but it’s good to know what you’re getting with your roof warranty.

Read: 3 reasons why roof ventilation is important for your home

Flashing

There are different types of flashing used for different areas of your roof. Most flashing is made of metal and is virtually indestructible from a roofing standpoint. Flashing is installed at the most vulnerable areas of your roof, making correct installation a must.

Underlayment

Underlayment is your roof deck’s final layer of defense and is critical to your roof warranty. Many shingle manufacturers require water-resistant or waterproof underlayment to warranty their shingles. There are different guidelines for underlayment based on region. Ask your roofing contractor about the underlayment requirements for your home.

Read: What is roofing underlayment and why do you need it?

Roof Deck

The roof deck is the wooden base of your roof that supports all the other parts of the whole roof system. If your roof deck isn’t well-protected, it can get wet and rot. If your roof deck is getting wet, it likely means the rest of the whole roof system is failing, as well. This leads to questions about material and installation choices. You may find some of those decisions were not great if you need to use your roof warranty.

Quality Products and Expert Installation = Amazing Roof Warranty

You’ve done your homework. You have a pretty good idea of what to expect from a whole roof system and a roof warranty. The fact is, however, you’re not a professional roofing contractor — you’re a homeowner with a busy life who has done a little online research. How do you choose the best products and company to install them.

Roof warranty

Quality Products

Product warranties vary by manufacturer. You can be sure that a company won’t warranty a product for longer than it knows it will last. Most shingles come with 20, 25 or 30-year warranties, for example, so the roof warranty period may be limited by the coverage-term of the shingles.

Long Roofing, for example, offers the SureStart PLUS warranty, which protects your roof for up to 50 years. The full benefits of the SureStart PLUS warranty are contingent on the installation of the Integrity Roof System, which is made from very specific roofing components.

Are you expecting a lifetime warranty with your roof? Make sure that the products are high-quality and the product warranties are comparable to the longevity of the roof warranty. It’s also a good idea to have each product spelled out in your roofing estimate.

Long Roofing Warranties

Long Roofing offers homeowners the chance to upgrade to the Integrity Roof System and the SureStart PLUS Warranty. We can provide the optional five-star coverage enhancement that goes beyond a standard roof warranty:

Products are covered for 50 years
Labor is covered
Coverage is not prorated
Coverage is transferrable to a new homeowner

We’re in the one percent of elite American roofers. Long Roofing is one of only one percent of roofers in the nation to achieve the prestigious roofing accreditation SELECT ShingleMaster. We’re also proud to have installed more Integrity Roof Systems last year than any other company in North America.

“One of the greatest benefits of the SureStart PLUS 5-Star warranty option is that virtually everything is covered,” says Jeff Caron, Director of Sales for Long Roofing. “There isn’t any fine print to read through. The bottom line is that if you have a problem with this product from Long Roofing, we will take care of it.”

Read: Understanding What’s In a Roof Warranty

Choose the Roof Warranty That’s Right for You

Roof warranty

Roof warranties aren’t one-size-fits-all. Most roof warranties range from 20 to 50 years, depending on the whole roof system and company you choose.

We want to help our clients choose the warranty that best suits their needs. We offer SureStart PLUS lifetime warranty, which is the best in the business, and we’ve sold more of them than any other country in North America. Many homeowners prefer this option because it can be transferred to the next homeowner, and that can be a great selling point when the time comes.

But, we do have clients whose needs are met with different warranty options like our basic 20-year warranty. Homeowners can trust that we will take the time to answer their questions and help them get the warranty that works best for their home and family. — Jeff Caron

Read: We’re number one: Long Roofing earns coveted warranty award

Whether you’re looking for the most basic warranty options or a 5-Star upgrade, Long Roofing will work with you to find the warranty that’s right for you. And we’ll explain the fine print.

Ready for an estimate?

Contact Long Roofing today to get an estimate on your new roof and find a roofing warranty that’s right for you! Visit us online for more information.