Updated 11/7/2025
When investing in a new roof, homeowners focus on materials, colors, and pricing. But they often overlook one of the most crucial protections: the roof warranty.
This oversight leads to costly surprises. You may discover that the gap in your warranty leaves you responsible for thousands of dollars in repairs!
Equity Roofing has helped homeowners across Central Pennsylvania, Northern Indiana, and Southern Michigan. As Platinum Preferred Contractors with Owens Corning, we've seen these warranty issues firsthand.
We ensure our customers understand their warranties completely. But what about everyone else? We created this simple guide so homeowners don't have to research alone.
This article breaks down roof warranties into easy-to-understand sections. With our guide, you'll make the best decision for your situation.
Table of Contents:
By the end, you'll be equipped to make a confident, informed decision, with no surprises down the road.
A roof warranty is your safety net, protecting both your home and your wallet. It can also boost your home's resale value. But not all warranties are equal. Homeowners need to understand what they're actually getting.
There are three common types of roof warranties that help homeowners.
A manufacturer's warranty covers problems with roofing materials. This includes early cracking, blistering, or color fading.
Roofing contractors can offer a workmanship warranty that covers mistakes made during installation. This is where contractor credibility becomes crucial.
System warranties are awarded when homeowners use a certain number of manufacturer parts. The level of protection can grow based on your contractor's status.
Extended warranties are not something that a roofer can buy from a manufacturer. They are exclusive to their top contractors.
Your roofing coverage depends on what warranty your roof has. Most manufacturers offer a warranty that is included at no extra cost.
Neither warranty covers storm damage. This goes through homeowner's insurance.
Your manufacturer's shingle warranty length depends on the manufacturer, materials, and contractor status.
The warranty will either be:
| Manufacturer | Basic/Non-prorated | Extended/Non-prorated Warranty |
| Owens Corning | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with Platinum Preferred contractor |
| GAF Timberline Shingles | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with Master Elite® contractor |
| CertainTeed | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with SELECT ShingleMaster™ |
| TAMKO | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with Pro Diamond contractor |
| Atlas | Up to 10 years | Up to 50 years with Pro+ Select contractor |
Metal roof warranties are often standardized and focus on the paint finish. Contractor status has little impact on residential metal roofing.
| Manufacturer | Standard Metal Roofing Screw |
Pro Z Fasteners | Paint Finish Warranty Non-prorated |
| Premex with AkzoNobel Paint | Up to 20 years | Up to 50 years | Up to 40 years |
| Kyfus with Sherwin-Williams Paint | Up to 20 years | Up to 50 years | Up to 10 years |
| Manufacturer | Basic Workmanship Warranty | Top-tier Workmanship Warranty |
| Owens Corning | Up to 10 years with Preferred contractor | Lifetime (prorated after 25 years) with Platinum Preferred contractor |
| GAF Timberline Shingles | Up to 10 years with Certified Plus contractor | Up to 25 years with Master Elite® contractor |
| CertainTeed | No basic level of workmanship coverage | Up to 25 years with SELECT ShingleMaster™ |
| TAMKO | Up to 10 years with Pro Platinum contractor | Up to 25 years with Pro Diamond contractor |
| Atlas | None | None |
Note: Top-tier contractors often offer workmanship warranties backed by the manufacturer. This means you're still covered even if the roofer goes out of business.
Watch out for unclear terms like "limited lifetime warranty." Always ask what "lifetime" really means. Some lifetime warranties only apply to the first homeowner. Others have big reductions after 10-15 years.
How Much Do Roof Warranties Cost?
While standard-level roof warranties typically come at no additional cost, the more protection your warranty offers, the more expensive it will be. Most manufacturers do not list the price of their warranties online.
As a Platinum Preferred Contractor, however, Equity Roofing can give the inside scoop for Owens Corning. Below, we break down the average cost ranges for their four different levels of protection.
| Warranty Level | Owens Corning Parts Required |
Contractor Certification Required | Cost Per Square | Example Roof: 2,000-2,900 sq ft |
| Standard | 3* | None | None, this is included | None, this is included |
| System Protection | 3* | Platinum or Preferred Contractor | $5-7 per square | $100-203 |
| Preferred Protection | 4* | Platinum or Preferred Contractor | $11-14 per square | $220-$406 |
| Platinum Protection | 4* | Platinum Contractor | $18-22 per square | $360-$638 |
* Refer to the official Owens Corning Warranty Overview for details and exclusions
There are more ways to void a roof warranty than most homeowners realize. Here's what to avoid:
Even clogged gutters or algae and moss buildup can result in a denied claim.
When filing a roof warranty claim, start by calling your contractor. They will handle most or all of the claim process. If they're not available, you can contact the manufacturer directly.
Unresponsive Contractors
Companies may be slow to respond after installation. They focus on current projects.
Wrong Problem Classification
Problems blamed on the manufacturer may be related to workmanship. Installation issues are not covered under a Manufacturer's Warranty claim.
Invalid Claims
Often due to missing paperwork or wrong registration.
Good contractors manage inspections and warranty claims at no cost. But there may be a charge for extra services needed.
Most roof warranties can be transferred once. This can be a big selling point for your home. It gives you an edge in the real estate market.
Always check contractor credentials through the manufacturer's website. Contractors can claim to have elite status when they don't. If your contractor isn't certified, your extended warranty may be invalid from day one.
Quality contractors use documentation systems to support warranty claims. Some contractors use systems like CompanyCam to document projects with 100–300 photos. This transparency supports future warranty claims. Claims that don't have enough records may result in a denial.
Look for honesty with your roofer. They should be willing to discuss their warranties, record process, and claims process. Before signing, ask your contractor these questions:
Understanding roof warranties protects one of your biggest investments. A good warranty can save you thousands in repairs and unnecessary stress.
Choose a contractor who does excellent work and stands behind it. This includes proper paperwork, quick service, and clear warranty processes. Your roof is too important to leave to chance.
Start your contractor research with our top 10 roofers list for 2025. These lists include those serving Central Pennsylvania, Northern Indiana, and Southern Michigan, who meet at least four out of five of our Golden Standards. A free checklist of these criteria is available to rate roofers in other service areas.
Be prepared before starting your roof replacement. Your future self will thank you!