New Roof Warranties: What's Covered (and What's Not)
When a roofer talks about '25-year warranty' or 'lifetime warranty', those words hide important distinctions. A real roof warranty is actually two layered warranties with very different coverage — and a long list of standard exclusions. Here's what to know before signing.
The two layered warranties
Manufacturer warranty on materials: covers manufacturing defects in the shingles themselves. Typically 25 years to lifetime for architectural shingles. Covers replacement of defective shingle — but often prorated after a few years, and almost never the labour to install.
Roofer's workmanship warranty: covers installation defects (misplaced nails, poorly sealed flashings, inadequate ventilation). Typically 5-10 years, sometimes more depending on the roofer. This warranty protects you against most early leaks.
The two are independent: a defective shingle is a manufacturer issue, but if it leaks because of bad install, the roofer must fix it. In disputes, this boundary is the most contested.
Types of manufacturer warranty
Standard warranty (often called '25 years'): covers only the defective material, no labour costs. If a shingle disintegrates after 8 years, you get a few new shingles from the manufacturer — but you pay a roofer to install them.
'System' or 'elite' warranty: offered by certain manufacturers (IKO, GAF, BP, Owens Corning) if the install is by a certified roofer using their accessories (underlayment, eave membrane, ventilation). Often includes labour for the first 10-25 years.
'Lifetime' warranty: marketing language. Read the fine print — 'lifetime' often means the life of the roof (until replacement), not the owner's life. And 'lifetime' is almost always prorated after 5-10 years.
Common exclusions
Damage from extreme weather events (winds over 100 km/h, hail over 2 cm). That's covered by your home insurance, not the shingle warranty.
Damage caused by inadequate attic ventilation. If the system warranty is conditional on proper vents, and those vents aren't there or are wrongly installed, the warranty falls.
Damage from a structural change (adding a dormer, drilling an extra vent) made after the initial install without coordination with the original roofer.
Normal discoloration from UV exposure. Dark shingles fade — that's physics, not a defect.
The roofer's workmanship warranty
Often the more important of the two for the first 10 years. Ask directly: 'What is your written workmanship warranty?' If the answer is 'the manufacturer's warranty' without detail on labour, that's a signal.
A roofer established in Gatineau for several years normally offers 10 years of written workmanship warranty. Under 5 years is on the low end. No written warranty (verbal only) = red flag.
The workmanship warranty should be transferable to the next owner if you sell. It's a concrete selling point, and what separates a real roofer from a short-term subcontractor.
What to keep
Signed contract and final invoice with detail of materials used (brand, model, colour, batch number).
Manufacturer warranty certificate issued after install. Without this certificate, the extended 'system' warranty doesn't activate.
A before/after photo file. Useful for you, useful for resale, useful in case of a claim.
A serious warranty isn't what the roofer reads to you — it's what they put in writing before you sign. Gatineau Roofing provides a 10-year transferable written workmanship warranty on all residential installs. Request a quote to see all the details.
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