Roofing warranties
State-of-the-art roof systems installed today are the result of more than a century
of research and innovation. The relatively recent introduction of numerous systems
using rubbers, plastics, modified asphalts and other synthetic materials caused
manufacturers to focus attention on warranties they offer. In addition, some employ
long-term warranties as marketing tools. In the interest of roofing consumers, the
National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) acknowledges the following concerns
relative to manufacturers' roofing warranties.
A roofing warranty's length should not be the primary criterion in the selection
of a roofing product or roof system because the warranty does not necessarily provide
assurance of satisfactory roof system performance. The selection of a roof system
application should be based on the product's qualities and suitability for the prospective
project. A long-term warranty may be of little value to a consumer if the roof system
does not perform satisfactorily and leaks. Conversely, if a roof system is designed,
constructed and manufactured well, the expense of purchasing a warranty may not
be necessary.
Manufacturers who use long-term warranties as marketing tools have found themselves
compelled to meet or exceed warranties of competitive manufacturers. In some cases,
the length of the warranty may have been established without appropriate technical
research or documentation of in-place field performance.
Increased liability risk associated with long-term warranties has contributed to
the recent demise of some manufacturers. This may result in unanticipated and costly
expenses for extensive roof system repairs for roofing consumers. Unfortunately,
there are a number of manufacturers that issued long-term warranties and no longer
are operating companies with the capability of honoring their warranty commitments,
leaving consumers with an ineffective warranty and serious roofing problems.
There is a common misconception by roofing consumers that long-term warranties are
all-inclusive insurance policies designed to cover virtually any roofing problem,
regardless of the cause or circumstance. Roofing warranties typically do not warrant
that the roof system will not leak or is suitable for the project where it is installed.
Even the most comprehensive manufacturer warranties that cover materials and workmanship
generally provide only that the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from
specific causes specified in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically provides
only that the manufacturer will provide replacement material.
Warranty documents often contain restrictive provisions that significantly limit
the warrantor's liability and consumer's remedies in the event that problems develop.
The warranty document may also contain other restrictions and limitations, such
as a prohibition against assignment or transfer of the warranty, exclusion of damages
resulting from a defective roof system and monetary limitations.
Long-term warranties largely are reactive (rather than proactive) solutions to roof
problems. In general, they tend to undermine a prudent owner's initial concern for
proper roofing specifications and application, as well as an owner's subsequent
responsibility for periodic roof maintenance. Roofing consumers are best served
by manufacturers who:
- Focus their sales efforts primarily on the relevant and proven merits of those products
and systems best designed to serve the specific needs of a roofing consumer.
- Base warranties for membranes or systems solely upon an honest and realistic appraisal
of their proven service lives, contingent upon the financial ability and good faith
of the issuer to honor those warranties for the duration of the warranty term.
- Clearly and conspicuously state in writing all recommended and required owner maintenance
responsibilities during the projected service life of the roof and warranty term.
- Solicit from a roofing consumer a clear understanding of the consumer's primary
responsibility to provide periodic routine maintenance during the service life of
the roof membrane or system.
NRCA believes roofing consumers, with the assistance of roofing professionals, should
focus their purchase decisions primarily on objective and comparative analyses of
proven roof system options that best serve their specific roofing requirements and
not on warranty time frames.