What your warranty actually covers
Every new roof comes with two warranties: one from the manufacturer on the materials, and one from us on the installation. Here’s what each covers, when each one matters, and how to compare warranties across bids.
Who backs what
Lifetime limited material warranty
Owens Corning or CertainTeed stands behind the shingles and system components against manufacturing defects. Coverage is prorated after the first 10 years.
10-year workmanship warranty
If something we installed fails in that window, we come back and fix it. The crew that installed your roof is the crew that comes back.
Why 10 years of workmanship is the right length
It’s a fair question when another bid advertises 25 years of labor coverage. Here’s how it works in practice.
- Installation mistakes show up early — a missed nail line, flashing set wrong, a vent not sealed.
- After that, it’s the materials or the weather — a shingle that fails in year 15 is a material question, and that’s what the manufacturer’s warranty is for. A storm is an insurance question.
- A longer labor number rarely comes into play — coverage for years 11 to 25 is coverage for problems that almost never turn out to be labor.
Ten years covers the window when installation problems actually happen, with room to spare.
Five questions to ask about any warranty
- Who backs it? — the contractor, or the manufacturer? A contractor warranty is only as good as the company behind it.
- Will they be around to honor it? — we’ve been roofing in the Bay Area since 1989.
- What’s excluded? — ask to see the list, and read it before you compare years.
- Is it prorated? — and if so, starting when?
- Does it transfer if you sell? — and is there a fee or a deadline to transfer it?
If you’d feel better with more years
You can upgrade to a 50-year manufacturer warranty for about $5 per square. It’s an Owens Corning non-prorated extended warranty, registered when the roof is installed.
50-year manufacturer warranty
On a typical 30-square roof, that’s about $150. Ask for it at the visit, or add it to your proposal.
See the full rate cardHow to make a claim
- Call us first — at (925) 381-9162, whichever warranty you think applies.
- We come look — and tell you what we find, with photos.
- Workmanship issues — covered by our 10-year workmanship warranty.
- Material issues — we file the claim with the manufacturer and walk you through it.
Questions about your warranty
What warranty comes with my roof?
Two. The manufacturer’s lifetime limited warranty covers the materials and is prorated after the first 10 years. Our 10-year workmanship warranty covers the installation on a replacement; repairs carry a 3-year warranty on the area repaired. An Owens Corning 50-year extended warranty is available for a small added cost.
Do repairs come with a warranty?
Yes. Repairs carry a 3-year warranty on the repair, covering the area we fixed.
What does the 50-year warranty need?
A complete Owens Corning roof system, with matching starter strips, underlayment and ridge caps, plus balanced attic ventilation. We specify all of that. Because we’re an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we can register the 50-year extended warranty.
What should I do if I notice a problem after the work?
Call or text us at (925) 381-9162, with photos taken from the ground. Workmanship issues are covered by our warranty, and the crew that installed your roof is the crew that comes back. For material issues, we file the claim with the manufacturer and walk you through it.