Roofing decisions

Roof Warranties: Materials and Workmanship

Learn what a roof materials warranty covers, what a workmanship warranty covers, how coverage changes over time, and what comes with a Remi roof.

Remi Editorial Team

Roofing research and homeowner education

October 14, 20265 min read
Roofers in safety harnesses nailing new light gray shingles near the roof edge
In this guide

When you compare roof quotes, the warranty section can look like a list of big numbers. A new roof usually comes with two separate warranties: a materials warranty from the shingle manufacturer and a workmanship warranty from the contractor who installs it. Both cover different problems, last different lengths of time, and are claimed through different companies.

What each warranty covers

According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (opens in a new tab) (NRCA), the manufacturer’s warranty generally covers defects in the manufacture of the roof covering, while the contractor’s workmanship warranty typically covers installation and related issues.

These two warranties do not overlap much. IKO (opens in a new tab), for example, says its asphalt shingle limited warranty covers manufacturing defects that result in leaks and does not cover incorrect application. For example, if a leak traces back to how the flashing or shingles were installed, the workmanship warranty is usually the one that applies.

Materials and workmanship warranties

Comparing Materials warranty, Workmanship warranty
QuestionMaterials warrantyWorkmanship warranty
Who provides itThe shingle or tile manufacturerThe roofing contractor
What it coversManufacturing defects in the productInstallation and related issues
Typical lengthRanges from 20 years to a lifetime, per NRCAOften 1 or 2 years, with no industry standard, per NRCA

Why the warranty length is not the whole story

A long term does not mean full coverage for that whole time. Some shingle warranties are prorated after an early period, which means the benefit shrinks as the roof ages. IKO’s warranty page explains that once shingles are past its Iron Clad Protection Period (3 to 15 years depending on the product), a covered defect is paid as a prorated amount of the replacement shingles.

When you read any warranty, look for three things:

  • The full-coverage period. How many years before proration starts, if it applies.
  • What the remedy pays for. Replacement material only, or labor too. A shingle allowance and the cost of installing new shingles are different benefits.
  • Conditions. NRCA notes that some shingle warranties depend on the attic meeting minimum ventilation requirements. Extended coverage may also need to be registered. IKO, for example, says ROOFPRO contractors who offer its extended coverage take care of registering it for the homeowner.

The warranty version matters too. IKO processes claims under the limited warranty that was in effect when the shingles were installed, not the current one.

Warranties that come with a Remi roof

Included warranties at no additional cost:

  • 5-year workmanship warranty. Every roof Remi installs includes it. It covers installation issues, including the shingles or tile, underlayment and flashings, drip edge, and vents, for five years from the date the installation is completed.
  • Manufacturer’s materials warranty. Remi uses shingles and tiles from manufacturers that include a limited-lifetime material warranty. The exact term depends on the product, and we can confirm which product was used so you know which terms apply.
  • 2-year solar panel penetration warranty. When Remi reinstalls solar panels, this covers the roof penetrations where the system is mounted. Remi says its removal and reinstall work should not void or impact your existing solar equipment warranties, and Sunrun customers keep their Sunrun equipment and performance warranty.

For longer installation coverage, Remi’s FAQ describes an optional 15-year extended warranty that adds ten years to the workmanship warranty. Ask us to add it to your quote. Remi also makes the exact warranty language from its standard home improvement contract available to review upfront, so you can read the terms before you decide.

Thank you for an exceptionally well done job.
Rick C. · Remi customer review

Rick describes one homeowner’s experience. His review does not establish the coverage or outcome of a warranty claim.

What to keep for a warranty claim

A warranty claim usually starts with proof of what was installed and when. IKO, for example, asks for the homeowner’s name, address, phone number, and proof of purchase, which shows the shingle type, quantity, and purchase date. Keep these together:

  1. 1The signed contract and final invoice
  2. 2The shingle brand and product name, plus the installation date
  3. 3Any warranty certificate or registration confirmation. NRCA suggests asking the contractor for the manufacturer’s certificate when the project is complete.
  4. 4Written change orders, so the file matches the roof that was actually installed
  5. 5The contact for reporting a problem. For a Remi roof, that is Remi support at 916-999-7497.

Remi’s FAQ also suggests reporting problems as soon as you notice them, since quick reporting makes inspection and repairs simpler.

If you plan to sell your home, these same records make the warranty easier to pass on. Our guide to transferring a roof warranty covers that step.

Warranties with a Remi roof

Get a Remi roof quote

Knowing the shingle product before work starts tells you which materials warranty terms will apply.

Questions homeowners ask

Occasionally. Owens Corning says some of its extended warranties, such as its Preferred Protection and Platinum Protection limited warranties, include contractor workmanship, and that its extended warranties are offered only through its network of independent Preferred and Platinum contractors. Check the exact tier named in your paperwork.

No. Owens Corning notes that “lifetime” in roofing warranties typically means as long as the original owner owns the home, and the warranty document defines the exact term. It is a coverage term, not a prediction of how long your roof will last.

Sources and further reading

Product instructions, warranty terms and local requirements can change; use the documents that apply to your project.

About the author

The Remi Editorial Team researches roofing materials, project planning and homeowner questions using manufacturer documents, public agencies and industry guidance. This article explains the decision; a contractor’s assessment and the written scope establish what your roof needs.

Get a Remi roof quote

Knowing the shingle product before work starts tells you which materials warranty terms will apply.

Prefer to talk it through? Call Remi at 801-618-2540.