What “it’s warrantied” actually means

Most homeowners are told a roof is warrantied and never find out what that covers. Here is the whole thing in plain English, including what it does not cover.

A completed architectural shingle roof

There are two warranties, and they cover different things

This trips up almost everybody, and roofing companies are not always in a hurry to clear it up. When someone tells you your new roof is "fully warrantied," ask which warranty they mean, because there are two and they protect you against different failures.

The manufacturer warranty covers the materials

If a shingle fails because of how it was manufactured, a defect in the product itself, that is the manufacturer's responsibility. The coverage comes from them, not from your roofer. Terms vary significantly by product line, and the headline number on the marketing material is usually the best-case term under ideal conditions.

We give you the actual manufacturer documentation for whatever system goes on your roof. Read it. Note in particular that most manufacturer warranties require correct installation and adequate ventilation, which means a badly installed roof can void the material warranty you are counting on.

The workmanship warranty covers the installation

This is the one that matters most, because installation error causes far more roof failures than manufacturing defects.

A workmanship warranty is a promise from the contractor who did the work: if your roof leaks because of how it was installed, they come back and fix it under the warranty for the length of the term. A fastener driven wrong. A flashing detail sealed poorly. A valley cut short. A pipe boot not seated correctly. Those are workmanship failures, and they are the roofer's problem, not the manufacturer's and not yours.

All roof replacements come with a workmanship warranty, included in the sales agreement. It is in the agreement before you sign anything, so there is never a conversation later about what you were promised. Get that in writing from any contractor you are considering, including us. A verbal warranty from a company that may not exist in three years is not a warranty.

What the workmanship warranty covers

  • Leaks caused by how the roof was installed
  • Fastening, nailing pattern and shingle alignment
  • Flashing at walls, chimneys, skylights and valleys
  • Sealing around pipe boots and roof penetrations
  • Underlayment and ice-and-water membrane installation
  • Ridge, hip and eave detail work
  • Ventilation components that we installed

What it does not cover

  • New storm, hail or wind damage occurring after installation, that is an insurance matter, and we will help you document it
  • Damage caused by other trades working on your roof: satellite, solar, HVAC, gutter or chimney contractors
  • Manufacturer product defects, which fall under the manufacturer warranty instead
  • Structural movement or settling of the building
  • Damage from debris buildup, blocked gutters or lack of basic maintenance
  • Ice damming caused by attic insulation or ventilation conditions we did not modify
  • Roof sections or systems we did not install
  • Damage from someone walking on the roof after we finish

How to make a warranty claim

Call 208-550-9387 and describe what you are seeing. We schedule an inspection. If the cause falls under workmanship, we fix it. There are no claim forms, no adjusters, and no argument about whether you are still covered: the warranty is in the sales agreement you signed.

If the cause turns out to be storm damage or something outside the warranty, we will tell you that and show you the photos, then help you figure out the right path, usually an insurance claim.

Questions worth asking any roofer, including us

  • Is the workmanship warranty written into the agreement before I sign?
  • Exactly what does it cover, and what is excluded?
  • Does it transfer if I sell the house?
  • What is the process if I need to use it?
  • How long have you been operating under this business name?
  • Are you a local company with a physical address I can look up?

That last pair matters more than people think. A workmanship warranty is only worth something if the company is still around when you need it. We are a family business operating out of Eagle, Idaho, and that is not going to change.

Get a bid from a roofer whose warranty is in writing

Free inspection, written pricing, and a workmanship warranty in the sales agreement before you decide anything.

Straight answers

Common questions

Justin and Craig got us a bid within a day or two of me contacting them. The price was great and the warranty was better than other quotes I received. The crew that worked at our house was respectful and made sure everything was cleaned up at the end of each day. I highly recommend them if you need your roof repaired or replaced.
Sydney Price Verified Google review · Roof replacement
Next step

Know exactly where your roof stands

Tell us the basics and a local Tru Armor roofer calls you back to confirm a time that works.

  • Free inspection, in person
  • Repair-first recommendation when repair is the right call
  • Your options, and time to decide on your schedule

Rather just talk to someone?

Call or text 208-550-9387. If it is an active leak, call.

Call 208-550-9387

Your details stay with Tru Armor only. We never sell or share them. For an urgent situation like an active leak, call 208-550-9387.

Idaho registered contractor #6871862. Rated 5.0 on Google.

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