Asphalt Shingle Warranties: How They Actually Work

Many manufacturers provide asphalt shingle warranties ranging from 20-30 years. However, getting a 30-year asphalt shingle roof for your Florida home in 2023 with the expectation that you won’t have to replace your roof again until 2053 is misguided. In Florida, asphalt shingle roofs generally last about 15-20 years depending on the quality of the manufacturer and how well the roof was maintained.

Most Floridians move here from other states in the Midwest and the Northeast. These are areas where it’s common for 30-year roofs to actually last for 30 years. Moreover, shingle warranties are somewhat convoluted and confusing. Read on to learn how asphalt shingle warranties actually work and why roofing is different here in the Sunshine state.

How Do Asphalt Shingle Warranties Actually Work?

There are 3 common types of asphalt shingle warranties. These include the following.

1. Manufacturer’s Warranty (Standard)
2. Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty
3. Warranty on Workmanship

Let’s discuss each type of warranty and how they actually work.

1. Manufacturer’s Warranty (Standard)

Today, the majority of shingles come with some type of manufacturer’s warranty – even lower-cost shingles. But, what costs are covered by this warranty, and what’s the responsibility of the homeowner?

The manufacturer will usually cover costs from defective materials, the labor involved with the installation of the replacement shingles, and shingle failure during the first few years of the warranty. However, after the first few years, shingle failure replacement is pro-rated based on the age of the roof. Also, even though the manufacturer will cover the installation costs of the replacement shingles, they will not cover the cost of removal and disposal of the defective ones. Those costs are the responsibility of the homeowner.

Additionally, improper installation or damage as a result of the failure of other roof components (i.e., flashing, underlayment, etc.) is not covered by the manufacturer.

2. Extended Manufacturer’s Warranty

Only authorized roofing contractors are able to use asphalt shingle materials that are covered by extended manufacturer’s warranties. Top-tier manufacturers like Atlas, Owens-Corning, and GAF only authorize certain contractors to sell and install their shingles because they understand that improper installation results in shingle failure. In other words, they only choose contractors who provide quality workmanship.

These extended warranties come at an additional cost to the homeowner and require that the roof system consists of certain components. Namely, underlayment, soffit and ridge vents, hip and ridge cap shingles, and more. This extended coverage applies to all roof components and it also provides the following benefits.

• Labor costs for repairs or replacement
• Non-prorated boundaries
• Tear-off and disposal costs of defective shingles

3. Warranty On Workmanship

Separate from the manufacturer’s warranties are warranties provided by the roofing contractor. Not all roofing contractors provide warranties on their workmanship. However, experienced and reputable roofers often provide coverage on their workmanship for 3-5 years. Big D Roofing, for example, provides a 5-year warranty on all workmanship.

This means that if we installed a roof for you and 3 years later, you had a roof leak due to a mistake on our part, we would come out and repair the problem at no extra cost. We offer a warranty because we stand behind our workmanship and want to give our customers the best experience possible. You can have peace of mind when you make an investment in a Big D Roof.

Why Don’t Roofs Last as Long in Florida?

It’s no surprise that here in Central Florida, we have a warm, humid, sunny climate. These conditions are harsher than what’s experienced by our northern neighbors. Heavy and frequent rains, powerful UV rays, and strong winds are common in our area. These conditions wreak havoc on all types of building materials – including roofs.

Sunlight fades shingles and breaks down their material. Heavy rain gradually washes away surface granules. When we’re faced with strong storms like hurricanes, high winds can lift shingles or tear them off roofs completely. When manufacturers rate their shingles based on X number of years, they’re not taking into consideration harsher climates.

Therefore, as you’re shopping around for a new roof and looking at warranties and ratings, you want to keep these factors in mind!

Big D in Ocala, FL Provides Both Asphalt Shingle Warranties and Workmanship Warranties

Working with a reputable local roofing contractor like Big D gives you the knowledge and expertise you need to make the best decisions for your home. We follow industry best practices and use high-quality roofing materials to provide our customers with beautiful roofs that will last.

Not only do we use warrantied products exclusively, but we also provide a 5-year warranty on all of our workmanship. We are also available to our customers for questions and concerns long after their roofing project is complete.

If you live in Ocala, FL, The Villages, FL, or the surrounding area, contact us today to get started on your residential roof installation!