When you’re about to construct a new home or complete an extensive renovation, there are many factors that must be considered before the project begins. One factor that’s often overlooked is the residential building material warranty. These warranties are lengthy and can be difficult to understand, which is part of the reason why homeowners decide not to deal with a warranty. However, these documents have an actual purpose and can give you peace of mind that the materials on your roof are protected. At Paramount Roofing, we can help you understand what these warranties entail before you obtain a new roof.
WHAT IS A MATERIALS WARRANTY?
There are several types of warranties that can be purchased with a residential home, the primary of which is a material warranty. The cost of a roof replacement or installation is partially covered by a material or manufacturer’s warranty. In most scenarios, a material warranty can be obtained from your roofer or via the manufacturer’s website.
The material warranty you obtain will guarantee all roofing materials against failures or defects for the entire lifespan that the materials have. Keep in mind, however, that these warranties can be voided in the event that the materials aren’t properly maintained or installed. Although they are rare, material defects don’t often lead to the failure of a roof, which is why a material warranty is most effective when combined with other roof or home warranties.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MATERIALS WARRANTIES
Before you obtain a new roof, you’ll need to take some time to find the best materials for the project. Comparing different material warranties isn’t necessary and can take your focus away from what’s most important during this process.
The factor that makes a difference in a new roof is the quality of the materials you select. If your new roof is made from premium materials, having a warranty should make you much more confident that your investment is protected. You should also consider the manufacturer’s reputation before purchasing a warranty.
If you’re having a roof installed when building a home from the ground up, consider what happens when you’re using products and materials from multiple manufacturers. Let’s say that an issue occurs when one manufacturer’s underlayment directly overlaps another manufacturer’s flashing materials.
If these two products are considered to be incompatible, issues caused by incompatibility are hardly ever covered with a material warranty. You can avoid this problem by selecting products that work well together. Using products and materials from multiple manufacturers shouldn’t be an issue if both companies have a fantastic reputation.
Make sure that you also take the years of coverage into account. Most material warranties for roofing products last for five years. While roofing materials should last for much longer, most problems with these materials occur early on, which is why a five-year duration should be long enough.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR WARRANTY
If you decide to purchase one of these warranties, there are several things you can do to protect it. You don’t want to make a claim only to discover that your warranty has been voided. For one, make sure that you obtain regular inspections. At Paramount Roofing, we can inspect your roof every couple of years to determine if minor repairs need to be made. Small issues like shingle damage or caulking deterioration might need to be fixed before they worsen. By keeping damage at a minimum, you’ll be protecting your warranty coverage.
You should also think about registering your warranty with the manufacturer in question. Without doing so, you might not even have coverage. Keep in mind that the process can differ when you purchase an enhanced warranty. Contractors need to be credentialed for the warranty they provide to be valid. We can register this warranty for you, which ensures that you maintain coverage.
It’s also highly recommended that you carefully read the fine print and any complex details contained in the warranty. You should know about everything that can void the warranty and what the coverage entails. All information about the warranty should be contained in the document. If you have any questions, we can help you understand the warranty before you sign it.
Warranties are considered to be insurance policies, which means that they usually have a large amount of fine print for you to read. This fine print can make all the difference when you go to submit a claim.
WHAT ARE THE OTHER TYPES OF ROOF WARRANTIES?
There are two additional types of warranties that you can obtain when you purchase a new roof. For instance, our roofers can provide you with an installation warranty, which gives you more protection when compared to a material warranty.
When you read through an installation warranty, you should receive information on everything that’s covered and all of the work that’s not covered. Make sure that the duration of coverage is also provided. The purpose of an installation warranty is to cover the quality of the craftsmanship and any failures that might occur when the work is subpar.
While limited warranties are offered to cover the quality of the installation, these warranties can be voided if you hire another contractor to maintain or repair your roof. The same is true if you attempt to perform the work yourself.
The majority of contractor warranties expire in around five to 10 years, which is far less than the 25-30 year lifespan of most asphalt roofs. While lengthier warranties could be negotiated, they might also cost more. Roofing installation guarantees can last as long as 40 years if you decide to purchase such a lengthy warranty.
Even though an extended warranty can be highly beneficial if you purchase a premium or high-end roofing product, the extra cost might not be worth it. Most of the issues that impact roofs because of poor installation or craftsmanship will occur shortly after the roof has been installed. Many homeowners who select metal or slate roofs will purchase extended warranties to better protect their investment.
You can benefit from an extended warranty if you don’t want to deal with the damages caused by inclement weather. When a roof leak occurs, the water that gets into your home can result in the development of mold and mildew, both of which are health hazards. This water could also worsen your home’s structural integrity. Instead of paying the costs associated with replacing a damaged or leaky roof, an extended warranty covers these costs for you.
If you need to have your existing roof repaired or replaced, our roofing services will accommodate all of your needs. Along with residential and commercial roofing, our team has the skills required to provide homeowners with seamless gutter solutions. If you find that your home’s siding has taken on a drab and dirty appearance, we can improve your home’s appearance with the installation of new siding, of which there are several styles to select from. A few additional services we offer in Romeo and the surrounding area include storm damage restoration, insulation installs, and skylight installs. Contact Paramount Roofing today to learn more about our residential and commercial services.