Once your new commercial roof has been successfully installed, you want to make sure that it lasts for as long as possible. After all, your company has invested a significant amount of money in this project, and you want to ensure that you get the highest ROI that you can.
One important area that affects a new roof’s functional lifespan is its associated warranty. However, many business owners and managers are not quite clear on what their commercial roof warranty does and does not cover. The following information will help you to understand your commercial roofing warranty more fully so that you can have the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing you’re covered.
4 Types of Warranties
Warranties can be broadly separated into 2 categories: installer (or contractor) warranties, which largely focus on covering workmanship issues, and manufacturer’s warranties, which can provide a very narrow or very broad range of coverage. Within these 2 categories, there are 4 basic types of warranties:
- Installation only. As the name implies, this type of warranty only provides insurance against roof defects specifically caused by improper or faulty installation.
- Labor only. This warranty will only cover the labor costs of a repair technician coming out to fix the damage, not the material costs associated with the repair project. Specific terms and conditions usually apply to a labor only policy, so you must familiarize yourself with the details of the contract.
- Materials only. This type of warranty provides coverage for material defects and other limited conditions.
- System. System warranties are the most comprehensive type of warranty commonly offered by manufacturers. These warranties cover material and labor costs and often cover costs arising from improper installation procedures as well.
Terms Related to Manufacturer’s Warranties
With regard to warranties from manufacturers, it’s good to be aware of what certain terms mean. Some important terms include the following:
- NDL. “NDL” stands for No Dollar Limit and is the most comprehensive warranty that you can buy. Manufacturers may offer NDL coverage with regard to one aspect of the commercial roof, or for the entire system.
- Manufacturer’s material warranty. This warranty protects against early component failure or premature aging, and offers assurance that should the manufacturer’s product suffer from such issues, the costs incurred will be covered.
- Material and labor warranty. While these warranties do cover both material and labor costs, they are typically prorated and have caps on the cost amount that the manufacturer is liable for.
- Membrane-only. Any “membrane-only” warranty will only cover the costs of replacing or repairing the underlying roof membrane beneath the shingles or roofing sheets.
Situations That May Not Be Covered
Many warranties do not cover the following situations:
- Neglect, or failure to follow recommended maintenance procedures
- Leak repair caused by components adjacent to, but not part of, the roofing system produced by the vendor
- Unauthorized repairs or modifications to the roof
- Damage from “acts of God” such as hailstorms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters
It is important to have a keen understanding of what exactly your current (or future) warranty covers. Doing so can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration in the future.
At Kodiak Roofing, we work with trustworthy manufacturers that provide the highest quality commercial roofing warranties in the industry. From CertainTeed to Versico, we maintain our relationships with the very best in the business. Moreover, we help each and every one of our customers understand precisely what they are getting from the warranty they select. Reach out to us today for help on your next commercial roofing project – we can guarantee that you won’t regret it.
