Roofing Warranty: Manufacturer vs Workmanship

Every roof we install comes with two warranties. The shingle manufacturer covers the products. Roof Troops covers the installation with a lifetime workmanship warranty, in writing, for as long as you own your home. If it's our workmanship, we make it right.

Below is a plain English comparison: what each warranty covers, what can void it, and exactly how to file a claim. No fine print games.

The two warranties side by side

	Manufacturer warranty	Roof Troops workmanship warranty
Who backs it	The shingle maker (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Malarkey or TAMKO)	Roof Troops, a local, Veteran-owned company in Murfreesboro
What it covers	Manufacturing defects in the shingles and, on upgraded system warranties, the matching accessories	Our installation: flashing, nailing, ventilation work, pipe boots, and everything our crew put on your roof
How long	Usually "limited lifetime," with full coverage for the first 10 to 20 years depending on the shingle	For as long as you own your home
Who you call	Us first. We help you gather what the manufacturer needs.	Us, at 615-258-9977

Standard shingle warranties by brand

Every brand has a standard warranty that comes with the shingles. Here's how the most common lines compare. "Full coverage" means the non-prorated period, when the maker pays for covered material (and on these lines, labor) without cutting it for age.

Brand and warranty	Full coverage period	Transfer to a new owner	Claim notice
GAF Smart Choice Protection (Timberline lifetime shingles)	10 years, material and labor (tear off and disposal not included)	One time. New owner must notify GAF in writing within 1 year of the sale.	Within 30 days of discovery
Owens Corning TruPROtection (Duration series)	10 years, material and labor	One time. New owner must contact Owens Corning within 60 days of the sale. After the 10 years, coverage drops to 2 years from the sale.	Within 30 days of discovery
CertainTeed SureStart (Landmark series and other lifetime shingles)	10 years, material and labor, plus tear off and disposal on Lifetime A products	One time, free, to the next owner	Report through CertainTeed's warranty claim site
Malarkey Right Start (Highlander, Vista, Legacy)	10, 15 or 20 years depending on the shingle (Vista is 15)	New owner must transfer within 60 days of the ownership change	In writing within 30 days, before permanent repairs
TAMKO Full Start (Heritage series)	10 years, material and labor	One time, within the first 5 years, on laminated shingles	Within 30 days of discovery

Summarized from each manufacturer's current published warranty. Terms change, and the written warranty for your roof is what counts. We give you a copy.

Upgraded system warranties

Every major brand offers stronger warranties when a certified contractor installs a full system of that brand's products (shingles plus starter, underlayment, ice and water barrier and ridge caps) and registers the warranty. These can stretch full coverage to 50 years and, on the top tiers, add the manufacturer's backing on workmanship too.

GAF: System Plus, Silver Pledge and Golden Pledge. Silver and Golden Pledge add coverage for installation errors and require a GAF certified contractor at the right tier.
Owens Corning: System Protection, Preferred Protection and Platinum Protection. Preferred and Platinum add workmanship coverage and must be registered by an Owens Corning Preferred or Platinum contractor.
CertainTeed: SureStart PLUS 3-Star, 4-Star and 5-Star, through CertainTeed credentialed contractors.
Malarkey: Certified Pro and Certified Premium. Premium adds 25 years of workmanship coverage.
TAMKO: Enhanced Limited System Warranties through TAMKO Pro Certified contractors.

Ask us which upgraded warranty fits your roof and your budget. We'll show you the actual warranty document before you sign anything.

What can void a manufacturer warranty

Installation that doesn't follow the maker's instructions, like the wrong nail count or placement. That's why your installer matters.
Poor attic ventilation. Owens Corning, for one, excludes damage from inadequate ventilation.
Power washing the roof (excluded by Owens Corning and Malarkey).
Foot traffic and other trades. Malarkey excludes damage from people on the roof, including gutter cleaners. Holes cut later by satellite or solar installers can affect coverage where they cut in.
Moss, debris and overhanging trees. Several brands exclude damage from moss, fungus and foliage.
Weather beyond the warranty limits, like hail or winds above the wind rating. That's an insurance claim, not a warranty claim.
Missing the deadlines: not registering an upgraded warranty, not transferring it when you sell, or reporting a problem late.
Repairs made before the manufacturer inspects. Owens Corning and Malarkey can deny a claim if the roof is repaired or replaced first.

What our workmanship warranty doesn't cover

Our warranty covers our work. It doesn't cover storm damage (that's your homeowner's insurance), manufacturing defects in the shingles (that's the manufacturer, and we'll help you file), or damage from someone else working on the roof after us, like a satellite, solar or HVAC installer. If you're not sure which one applies, call us. We'll come look for free and tell you straight.

How to file a warranty claim

Workmanship claim with Roof Troops

Call us at 615-258-9977. We're open 24 hours, every day. If water is coming in, we'll tarp it.
We inspect in person. No photos-only runaround.
We tell you plainly whether it's covered.
We fix it and document the repair with photos for your records.

Manufacturer claim

Act within 30 days of noticing the problem.
Take dated photos and find your proof of purchase and installation date. We keep job records and can help.
Don't make permanent repairs yet. A temporary tarp to stop a leak is fine. Let the manufacturer inspect first.
File with the manufacturer in writing through its warranty claim page or mailing address. We can walk you through it.
Keep copies of everything you send and receive.

Questions homeowners ask

What's the difference between a manufacturer warranty and a workmanship warranty?

The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles and other products. The workmanship warranty covers the installation itself. Most leaks on newer roofs come from installation problems like flashing and nailing, which is why the workmanship warranty matters so much.

How long is the Roof Troops workmanship warranty?

For as long as you own your home. It's a lifetime workmanship warranty, in writing, on residential and commercial roofs we install. If it's our workmanship, we make it right.

What does lifetime mean on a shingle warranty?

For most shingle brands, lifetime means for as long as the original owner owns a single family home. Full coverage only lasts through the non-prorated period, usually 10 to 20 years depending on the shingle. After that, coverage is reduced based on the roof's age.

Can power washing void my shingle warranty?

It can. Owens Corning and Malarkey both exclude damage from power washing, and it strips the granules that protect the shingles no matter which brand you have. Clean algae with a low pressure method made for roofs.

Does my shingle warranty transfer if I sell my house?

Usually once, and usually only if the new owner registers the transfer in time. Owens Corning and Malarkey give the new owner 60 days. GAF gives one year in writing. TAMKO allows one transfer of laminated shingle warranties within the first 5 years. CertainTeed allows one free transfer to the next owner.

How soon do I need to report a shingle warranty claim?

Fast. GAF, Owens Corning, Malarkey and TAMKO all require notice within 30 days of finding the problem. Don't make permanent repairs before the manufacturer has a chance to inspect, or the claim can be denied.

Have a question about a warranty on your roof, even one we didn't install? Call us. Inspections are free, and we're open 24 hours, every day.

Call 615-258-9977 Book a free inspection

Protect the Home. Earn the Trust.