A new roof for your commercial space is a major investment – and it’s one that deserves to be protected. At the same time, it’s imperative for you to understand that not all commercial roofing warranties are created equally.
If you really want to make sure that you’re coming away with a new roofing system and a warranty that will meet your needs for years to come, there are a few key things you’ll want to keep in mind.
The Ins and Outs of Commercial Roofing Warranties: Breaking Things Down
Warranty Types
There are 3 main types of warranties that are included on new roof installations or replacements, and the type of warranty offered often provides insight into the quality of roofing contractor who is providing it.
Material Only Warranty – A material-only warranty is just like it sounds. It is a warranty provided by the material manufacturer to replace any material that does not perform as expected (as defined by their fine print). It does not include replacement of material that was poorly installed and doesn’t include any labor expenses to remove or reinstall the defective material. These warranties are standard issue from manufacturers on anything they sell, so roofers that can only offer these types of warranties likely do not have much experience in the type of roofing that your building requires.
Labor Warranty – A labor warranty is offered by the installing roofing contractor as a guarantee that any issues with your roof that arise as the result of poor workmanship on their part will be corrected. The duration of these warranties typically last from 2-5 years, and they are offered as assurance that any issues that are the result of poor workmanship will be corrected early in the life of your roof. It should be noted that these are only good if the installer is still in business when issues arise.
System Warranty (or NDL) – A system warranty (also called a no-dollar-limit warranty) is offered by the manufacturer of the roofing material and typically covers all material and labor related to addressing leaks in the roof system over the lifetime of the warranty (typically 15-30 years). In order to provide a system warranty, a manufacturer typically has vetted the installing contractor and is willing to assume the liability of paying for any leak repairs that occur. In order to do this, they usually send an inspector out at least once during the roofing process to ensure that the manufacturers prescribed details for installation are being followed.
Warranty Coverage
One of the most common misunderstandings about commercial roofing warranties surrounds what is covered under warranty. This can vary greatly depending on what type of warranty your new roof qualifies for, but most system warranties cover standard deficiencies in either the material or workmanship that cause the roof system to fail prematurely. Interpretation of standard deficiencies is defined in the fine print of the warranty, but it should be noted that the following most common issues are NOT covered under standard system warranties.
- Punctures from technicians from other trades
- Punctures from falling debris
- Hail Damage
- Wind events (over certain wind speeds)
- Issues that should have been covered by routine maintenance
Special riders can be included to cover some of the items listed above as long as the roof system meets the manufacturer’s specific requirements.
Requirements
Each manufacturer has slightly different requirements for the warranty to be upheld for the duration of the warranty term, but routine maintenance in some form is universal for all manufacturers. Most manufacturers require routine maintenance to be performed twice a year to check and replace sealants, repair punctures in the membrane, clear debris from the roof surface, and ensure that drainage components are functioning appropriately.
Contact Perry Roofing Today
If you’d like to find out more information about the ins and outs of commercial roofing warranties, or if you’d like to schedule routine maintenance to ensure that your warranty remains valid – contact Perry Roofing today.