Consumer Information | General information | Advisory bulletins | 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 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.
NRCA further advises roofing consumers to
consult the membrane warranty section of NRCA's biannual roofing materials guide for a comparative analysis of the specific provisions, remedies, limitations
and exclusions of the warranties of those roof systems under consideration.
All questions should be addressed to the respective roofing manufacturers
for specific written clarification.
