"Lifetime warranty" is the most misleading phrase in the roofing industry. Almost every bid you'll get in San Antonio or Boerne includes that language. The reality is much more nuanced.
There are two warranties on every roof. They're not the same thing.
The manufacturer warranty (covers materials)
This is the warranty from Atlas, IKO, CertainTeed, or whoever made your shingles. Usually advertised as "Lifetime Limited," it actually has tiers:
- Standard tier: Pro-rated. Replacement value drops sharply after 10 years. By year 20 you might recover 20% of original cost.
- Enhanced/extended tier: Available only when installed by a manufacturer-certified contractor (Atlas Pro Plus, IKO ShieldPRO Plus, CertainTeed SELECT). Includes longer non-prorated periods.
- System warranty: Covers the whole roof system (shingles, underlayment, ridge, ventilation). Only available with full-system installs by certified contractors.
Manufacturer warranties cover material defects. They don't cover installation errors, hail damage, foot traffic, or improper ventilation. Real-world claims are rare and usually require extensive documentation.
The workmanship warranty (covers installation)
This is the one that matters most. It comes from the roofer, not the manufacturer. It covers errors in installation — leaks from flashing mistakes, improper underlayment overlap, incorrect nail patterns, etc.
Workmanship warranty length varies dramatically by roofer:
- Storm chaser: Often 1 year, sometimes none. They'll be gone before it matters.
- Average local roofer: 2–5 years.
- Quality local roofer: 10–25 years.
- Top-tier local roofer: Workmanship coverage in writing, often transferable to one subsequent owner.
The catch with "lifetime" workmanship claims
A workmanship warranty is only worth as much as the company offering it. If the roofer goes out of business, the warranty is gone. So look for:
- How long has the company been in business?
- Are they BBB accredited?
- Are they licensed and bonded?
- Do they have a real local address?
- What's their online review history look like?
What's typically NOT covered (any warranty)
- Hail damage (covered by your insurance, not the warranty)
- Wind damage above the manufacturer's wind rating
- Damage from ice, fire, or earthquakes
- Pre-existing structural issues
- Modifications by other contractors
- Damage from foot traffic or improper maintenance
What to ask for in writing
A real warranty is a written, signed document — not a paragraph in a sales brochure. Get specific terms: length, what's covered, what's excluded, transferability, and how a claim is filed.
Specific questions:
- How long is the workmanship warranty?
- Is it transferable to a new owner if I sell?
- What's the claim process and response time?
- Are you a manufacturer-certified contractor? Which programs?
- What enhanced manufacturer warranty does that unlock?
What we offer
We're a manufacturer-certified contractor with multiple major brands, which means we can offer system warranties that uncertified roofers can't. We register the manufacturer system warranty in your name and put workmanship terms in writing — transferable to one subsequent owner.
If you're getting bids, ask each roofer for a sample warranty document. The differences will tell you a lot about who you're hiring.
