What Warranties Cover on a New Roof — and What They Don’t

A new roof is a major investment. As a homeowner, one of the most important questions you can ask is, “What does my roof warranty actually cover?”

Roof warranties can provide valuable peace of mind — but they’re not all the same. Understanding what’s included (and what’s not) can help you avoid surprises down the road.

If you’re planning a roof replacement in Wisconsin or Illinois, here’s what you need to know.

The Two Main Types of Roof Warranties

Most new roofing systems come with two separate warranties. Both matter — and they cover different things.

Manufacturer’s Material Warranty

The Manufacturer’s Material warranty comes from the shingle manufacturer.  Many manufacturer warranties become prorated after a certain number of years, meaning the coverage decreases over time.

✅  What This Warranty Does Cover

In general, the manufacturer’s warranty covers:

• Manufacturing defects

• Premature cracking or granule loss

• Product failure under normal weather conditions and/or within parameters

❌ What This Warranty Does NOT Cover

Usually, manufacturer warranties do not cover:

• Improper installation

• Poor attic ventilation

• Foot traffic damage

• Lack of maintenance

• Ice dams

• Storm damage

Contractor Workmanship Warranty

This warranty is provided by the roofing contractor. Workmanship warranties can range from 1 year to 10+ years, depending on the contractor. This is why choosing an experienced, reputable local roofing company is critical. Even the best shingles can fail if they’re not installed correctly.

✅ What It Typically Covers:

• Installation errors

• Improper flashing installation

• Leaks caused by workmanship issues

• Incorrect fastening or sealing

❌ What It Does NOT Cover

• Poor attic ventilation

• Lack of maintenance

• Ice dams

• Storm damage.

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• Alterations or repairs by others

Common Roof Warranty Misunderstandings

“My roof is under warranty, so insurance will cover everything.”

No — warranties and homeowners insurance are separate. Insurance typically covers storm damage. Warranties cover product or installation defects.

“Lifetime means forever.”

In roofing, “lifetime” usually means as long as the original homeowner owns the home.

“All roof warranties are the same.”

They vary widely by manufacturer, contractor certification level, and installation standards.

What to Expect Working with PK Contractors

When you hire PK Contractors to install a new roof, you can expect us to work with the full suite of CertainTeed roofing products and to offer a five-year workmanship guarantee.

✅ CertainTeed Landmark Manufacturer’s Material Warranty

As a CertainTeed ShingleMaster Certified Pro since 2022, we help homeowners understand the fine print before installation begins — not after a problem arises. The specific warranty will depend on the product (view all warranties). As an example, we will recap what the Landmark® Asphalt Shingle Warranty covers (view full warranty).

Manufacturing Defects

CertainTeed warrants that the Landmark® Asphalt Shingles will be free from manufacturing defects for the lifetime.  If CertainTeed finds a defect, they will determine how to remedy the situation by either repairing, replacing, or cleaning the shingle.

SureStart™ Protection

Because CertainTeed roofing products are manufactured to the highest quality standards, they confidently include the additional assurance of SureStart™ protection. SureStart™ Protection provides strong, non-prorated coverage for the first 10 years on Landmark® Asphalt Shingles. CertainTeed will pay for material and labor to repair or replace defective shingles during this period (though tear-off, flashing, disposal, etc. generally aren’t reimbursed, except for some lifetime products).

Limited Algae-Resistant Warranty

For the Algae-Resistant Warranty, Landmark® Asphalt Shingles are warrantied for the first 25 years. CertainTeed warrants that should blue-green algae  adversely affect the appearance of its algae-resistant roofing shingles (designated as AR), CertainTeed, at its sole option, will pay to clean or replace the affected shingles.

Limited Wind Warranty

CertainTeed warrants its shingles will resist blow-off damage due to wind velocities, including gusts, up to a maximum wind velocity per the Wind Warranty MPH. For Landmark® Asphalt Shingles, they are warrantied for up to 110 or 160 miles per hour for first fifteen (15) years provided certain conditions are met.

Transferability

The warranty can be transferred once by the original homeowner to a subsequent owner (under conditions). After the warranty has been transferred once, it is no longer transferable.

Warranty Term

“Lifetime” means as long as the original individual homeowner owns the property. Coverage durations vary by product (some are lifetime for original owners, others 25 yrs, etc.).

❌ What This Warranty Does NOT Cover

 

Damage Not from Manufacturer Defects

CertainTeed will not pay for or be liable for defects or failures caused by anything other than a manufacturing issue in the shingles:

• Weather events beyond specified wind limits (e.g., hail, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods)

• Damage caused by lighting, hail, flood, or falling objects.

• Distortion or other failure due to structural movement of roof deck, walls, foundation, etc.

• Damage caused by structural changes, alterations, or additions.

• Shading, stains, discoloration from sources like mold, mildew, moss, chemicals, or vegetation

• Misuse, abuse, neglect, improper storage or handling of shingles

• Improper installation or installation not per manufacturer instructions

• Ice damming or ice backup damage

• Impact damage (e.g., fallen objects, tools, foot traffic)

• Vandalism, animal damage, insect damage, and acts of war

• Other causes not the result of a manufacturing defect

Cost Exclusions

• Unless special conditions apply (for certain lifetime products), tear-off, flashing, metal work, and disposal costs are not reimbursed.

• Labor reimbursement is limited to CertainTeed’s determination (e.g., based on national labor cost data).

Roof Deck Ventilation Issues

• If shingles are installed on non-ventilated or inadequately ventilated decks, SureStart protection may be reduced or excluded.

✅ PK 5-Year Workmanship Warranty

With more than 40 years of combined exterior contracting experience, we have the knowledge and expertise to get the job done right.  We offer a five-year workmanship guarantee.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Roofing Contract

Before committing to a roof replacement, ask:

• How long is the material warranty?

• Is it prorated?

• What does the workmanship warranty cover?

• Is the contractor manufacturer-certified?

• What could void my warranty?

• Will I receive documentation in writing?

A trustworthy contractor will walk you through everything clearly.

Final Thoughts

A roof warranty is valuable — but only if you understand what it actually covers.

Key takeaways:

• Manufacturer's warranties protect against product defects.

• Workmanship warranties protect against installation errors.

• Storm damage? That’s usually your insurance policy.

If you're considering a new roof in Wisconsin or Illinois, make sure you’re working with a roofing contractor who stands behind their work and helps you choose the right warranty coverage for your home. 📞 Contact PK Contractors today for a free roof consultation.