Quick answer
A roof warranty answers one question: who owes you a fix, and under which exact paper. Maker warranties cover product defects. Contractor promises cover workmanship. Enhanced maker-backed coverage adds more, under its own rules. Each one has its own parts, events, labor, removal, exclusions, prorating, owner and use rules, transfer, notice and upkeep. A warranty's length is not a prediction of roof life. This is not legal advice, and this site has no maker ties.
One question: who owes the fix?
When something goes wrong with a roof, people ask, "Is it under warranty?" The better question is, "Who owes me a fix, and under which paper?"
There may be several papers. A maker's product warranty, a contractor's workmanship promise and sometimes an enhanced warranty. Each one covers different things.
Maker product warranties
A maker's product warranty covers certain defects in the product, like shingles or membrane. It sets a term and rules.
It usually doesn't cover install mistakes, storm damage beyond set limits or damage from foot traffic. Read what counts as a defect.
Contractor workmanship promises
A contractor's workmanship promise covers their install work. Bad nailing, poor flashing and loose details often fall here.
These promises vary a lot. Some last a year, some much longer. Get the terms in writing before you sign. If the contractor goes out of business, the promise may go with them.
| Problem | Usually looked at under | Check in the paper |
|---|---|---|
| A shingle or sheet has a defect | Maker's product warranty | Covered defects, term, prorating, labor |
| Install mistake, like bad nailing | Contractor's workmanship promise | Term, what's covered, how to report |
| Extra coverage was sold | Enhanced maker-backed warranty | Who issued it, rules, sign-up |
| Storm damage | Often your property insurance | Policy terms; warranty storm exclusions |
| Home was sold | Transfer terms of each paper | Steps, time limits, fees |
Enhanced maker-backed coverage
Some makers offer enhanced warranties through crews that qualify. These may add longer coverage, labor or some workmanship coverage.
They come with rules. Often a certain contractor level, set parts and sign-up. TAMKO's current document says its enhanced warranty is issued at no separate charge after timely sign-up and replaces the standard one. A contractor's own charge is separate. Get the issued certificate, not just a brochure.
Which paper applies
The paper that applies is the one for your exact product, issued for your install date. Warranties change over time.
TAMKO picks its standard paper by the retail purchase date, so keep that receipt and the install records. GAF's warranty page lists its options. Malarkey posts its shingle warranty. Find the one that fits your roof.
Sign-up
Some warranties need sign-up. Others don't. Malarkey's standard shingle warranty says sign-up is recommended, not required, for its stated product coverage. Keep your invoice either way. Its lifetime term fits a qualifying single-family detached primary residence under the paper's other terms.
Enhanced warranties often require sign-up by the contractor within a set time. Ask who registers and get proof.
What parts are covered
Some warranties cover only the shingles or membrane. Others include extra parts like underlayment, starter and ridge caps, if they're from the same maker.
Read which parts are covered. Mixing brands may limit coverage.
Labor and removal
Some warranties pay only for material. Others include labor to install new material. Fewer cover tear-off and disposal.
Ask what a claim would pay for. Material alone may leave you with big labor costs.
Prorating
Many warranties offer full coverage for an early period. After that, coverage often shrinks over time. That's called prorating.
Read when full coverage ends and how it drops. A long term with heavy prorating may pay little later.
Owner and use rules
Some long terms apply only to certain owners and uses, like an owner living in a single-family home. Rentals, businesses or company-owned buildings may get shorter terms.
Read the owner and use sections for your building.
Transfer when you sell
Some coverage can move to a new owner. Often only once, within a set time and with notice. Some need a fee.
Coverage may change after transfer. Don't assume it moves automatically. Read the transfer section before you list a home.
Notice and claims
Most warranties require notice within a set time after you find a problem. They may require photos, samples or proof of purchase.
Read the claim steps before you need them. Don't tear off material before you know what proof is needed.
Upkeep duties
Some warranties need regular upkeep, like clearing debris, keeping gutters clear or inspections on commercial roofs.
Missing upkeep can put coverage at risk. List the duties and keep records.
Exclusions
Common exclusions include storms above certain levels, foot traffic, poor ventilation, building movement and changes by others.
Read them carefully. They often matter more than the headline term.
Storms are not automatic
Storm damage is often a property insurance matter, not a warranty matter. Some warranties cover wind up to a set speed with certain installs.
We don't promise any storm coverage. Read your policy and your warranty.
Certified contractors are not the maker
A maker's certified contractor is still an separate business. GAF's contractor terms say its contractors are separate, not GAF employees or agents.
That means the contractor's promises are theirs. Check status on the maker's own finder. This site has no maker ties and claims no badges.
Length is not roof life
A warranty's length is a coverage term. It's not a forecast of how long the roof will last.
Roof life depends on the product, install, climate, ventilation, upkeep and luck with storms.
Not legal advice
This page explains common terms. It's not legal advice. Warranties are contracts.
If you have a dispute, read the paper carefully. Talk to a qualified adviser if needed.
Make a roof file
Keep one folder for your roof. Put in the contract, the invoice and the product names. Add the install date.
Add each paper that covers the roof. That may be the maker's paper, the crew's promise and any extra paper. Add photos from the job. Add notes on later repairs.
Read four parts first
Papers can be long. Start with four parts. What is covered? For how long? What is left out? How do you make a claim?
Mark what you don't understand. Ask the roofer or the maker. A short call now is easier than a fight later.
Repairs can change things
Some papers have rules about who can make repairs. Some limit mixing parts from other brands. A repair done the wrong way may put coverage at risk.
Before a repair, ask the roofer if it could affect your coverage. Keep the repair bill with your roof file.
Attic air and coverage
Some shingle papers say the attic must be vented in a certain way. That applies to vented attics.
Some homes have attics built to be unvented on purpose. Those should stay that way. Ask the roofer to check which kind you have and what the maker's paper says about it.
Commercial roofs are different
Commercial roof papers often need yearly checks, notice of leaks within a set time and approval before changes. Some cover leaks with no dollar cap. Others don't.
Read the exact paper for your roof. List each duty and set reminders. Our commercial maintenance page explains more.
Questions to ask before you sign
Which papers come with this roof? Who backs each one? What does each cover, and for how long? Does it cover labor and tear-off?
Who registers the roof, and when? What upkeep is needed? Can it move to a new owner? Ask for a copy of each paper before you sign.
If a claim is denied
Ask for the reason in writing. Compare it to the paper. Sometimes more proof helps, like photos, invoices or a second look by a roofer.
If you still disagree, a qualified adviser can help. We can't promise any result.
Two simple examples
Say a few shingles crack in a way the maker calls a defect. That is a product claim. You would look at the maker's paper and its steps.
Now say a leak starts at a pipe because the flashing was put on wrong. That is a workmanship issue. You would call the crew that did the job and look at their promise.
When the crew is gone
Crews close or move. If that happens, their promise may not help you. Some maker papers add some help for install errors, but only as they say.
This is one reason to keep good records. Photos and bills help another roofer see what was done. They also help with any maker claim.
Words you may see
A defect is a flaw in how a product was made. Prorated means the help you get shrinks over time. Transfer means moving the paper to a new owner.
Labor means paying people to do the work. Tear-off means taking the old roof off. Exclusions are things the paper does not cover. Knowing these words makes the paper easier to read.
Steps if you find a problem
First, stay safe. Don't climb on the roof. Look from the ground or from inside. Put out buckets for drips.
Next, take photos. Write down the date and what you see. Then find your roof file. Look for the paper that fits the problem.
Then call the right party. That may be the crew, the maker or your insurer. Follow the steps in the paper. Keep notes of each call.
Buying a home with a roof paper
If you buy a home, ask the seller for the roof file. You want the bill, the product names, the install date and each paper.
Check if the paper can move to you. Some need a form or a fee within a set time. Do this before or right after you close. If there is no paper, a roof check can tell you how the roof looks now.
How we serve owners sorting out warranties
We are serving homeowners and building owners across the Omaha area. Use the form on this page to ask for a roof check or bid.
We will help you find which papers apply and what questions to ask. The paper itself is always the final word.
Common questions
Does a 50-year warranty mean the roof lasts 50 years?
No. Warranty length is a coverage term, not a prediction of roof life. Coverage often shrinks over time and has many limits.
Does my warranty cover storm damage?
Not automatically. Many warranties limit or exclude storm damage above certain levels. Storm damage is often a property insurance matter. Read both papers.
Do I have to register my roof?
It depends on the paper. Malarkey's standard shingle warranty says sign-up is recommended, not required, for its stated coverage. Enhanced warranties often require it. Read your paper.
Is a certified contractor an employee of the maker?
No. GAF's contractor terms say its certified contractors are their own businesses, not its employees or agents. Other makers set their own terms.
Will my claim be approved?
No one can promise that. The maker or contractor reviews claims under the paper's terms. Keep good records to support a claim.
Related help
Sources we checked
Official and standards pages we used to check facts on this page. Rules can change, so confirm with the source.
- Malarkey: shingle limited warranty (PDF)
- TAMKO: fiberglass-asphalt shingle limited warranty, effective Jan 1, 2025 (PDF, p. 2: version set by retail purchase date)
- TAMKO: document library (enhanced warranty issued at no separate charge; replaces standard)
- TAMKO: warranty center
- GAF: warranties
- GAF: contractor terms of use (PDF)