Residential Roofing Warranties Frequently Asked Questions

Why Are Warranties Important?

A new roof is a big investment, typically involving thousands of your hard-earned dollars and lasting 25, 30, 40 years or more. As with any big investment, knowing in advance what your warranty covers could save you thousands in the event that problems arise with your roof.

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What Are The Chances Of Having A Problem With My New GAF Roof?

Based on our state-of-the-art manufacturing process, the odds of having a problem with a new GAF roof is about 1 in 1000! On the other hand, while serious problems with GAF roofing materials are rare, if you were to have a problem, it can be as expensive to fix as your roof originally cost. So while the risk of having a problem is low, the cost if you do have a serious problem can be high.

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What About Problems With Installation?

GAF’s studies indicate that more than two-thirds of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship—not the roofing materials. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when deciding on warranty coverage.

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What Should I Look For In A Roofing Warranty?

Basically, there are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: coverage against material defects and coverage against workmanship errors.

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Tell Me About Coverage Against Material Defects…

To the best of our knowledge, all roofing products come with a warranty against material defects, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, a typical shingle warranty will cover material defects for a period of 20, 30, 40 years or more. The warranty on the other components of your roofing system can vary from as little as a few months to several years. It is important to remember that coverage against material defects is provided by the manufacturer, so you should select a brand from a manufacturer who is financially strong and therefore more likely to be in business for as long as you own your roof—which could be several decades!

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What Is GAF’s “Smart Choice® Protection Period”?

GAF’s warranties come with a special provision called the Smart Choice® Protection Period that covers you against material defects during the critical early years of your new roof. During this period, in the event that you experience a material defect on covered components, GAF will provide you with 100% replacement materials and the reasonable cost of labor to install them. This is important because some roofing warranties may only provide replacement materials, but not the labor to install them.

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What Is The GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty?

The GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty provides coverage against material defects for all major GAF components on your roof (not just your shingles)—so you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that, if any covered roofing component fails, it will be covered by the warranty (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). The warranty is available through GAF certified contractors, and is a low-cost way to get up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage (against material defects) on your new roofing system.

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How Do I Get Coverage Against Workmanship Errors?

Many roofing contractors provide their own warranty against errors in workmanship, sometimes for as long as ten years or more. Obviously, that coverage is only good for as long as the contractor remains in business. Since roofing is a “high turnover” occupation, the majority of roofing contractors are out of business within five years—far less than the life of your new roof—making the warranty worthless and leaving you with nowhere to turn in the event that you have a workmanship problem.

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Are There Any Manufacturers Who Will Cover The Contractor’s Workmanship?

Until relatively recently, there were no manufacturers that provided warranty coverage against errors in the contractors’ workmanship. Recognizing this obvious need, GAF introduced the Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty—the first manufacturer’s warranty to cover both material defects and the contractor’s workmanship (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). Whether or not your contractor remains in business, GAF will stand behind his workmanship up to 20 years! The Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty is available only through GAF Master Elite™ Contractors, who are factory-certified by GAF. The warranty even includes an inspection by GAF’s independent inspectors after your new roof has been completed to insure proper installation. It is the strongest, safest warranty available in roofing today. Your Master Elite Contractor can provide a price for the warranty when he gives you a quote for your new roof.

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How Do I File A Claim If I Have A Material Defect On My GAF Shingles?

Before you proceed, if possible you should locate a copy of your GAF warranty and a copy of the contractor’s invoice, contract, or original estimate. You will also need to provide the date applied, proof that you were the owner when the shingles were installed (or that the warranty was properly transferred to you), and the number of squares applied (1 square = 100 square feet). Then call our Warranty Service Department toll-free at 1-800-458-1860, and let us know the nature of your complaint.

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