Two warranties on every new roof
When a roof is replaced, two separate warranties come with it, from two different companies:
- The manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in the materials — the shingles and, on some systems, the underlayment, starter, ridge caps and vents.
- The workmanship warranty comes from the roofer and covers the installation — how those materials were put on your roof.
They protect you against different things. A shingle that fails because of a manufacturing defect is the manufacturer’s problem. A leak because the step flashing was installed short, or shingles that blow off because they were nailed too high, is the installer’s. Most roofing failures in the first years come from installation, not materials — which is why the workmanship warranty matters so much.
Manufacturer warranties
Most architectural shingles sold in Canada come with a long limited warranty from the manufacturer. The details vary by product, but a few things are true of most of them:
- They’re limited and often prorated. Full coverage usually applies only for an initial period; after that, the manufacturer pays a decreasing share of the material cost, and labour may not be included.
- Enhanced system warranties offer stronger coverage — sometimes including labour for longer — when the roof is built with the manufacturer’s matching components (underlayment, starter strip, ridge caps, ventilation) and installed by a contractor the manufacturer has certified. They usually have to be registered after installation.
- Wind ratings have conditions. A shingle’s wind warranty typically depends on the manufacturer’s high-wind nailing pattern and starter strip at the edges — details that matter on exposed Airdrie lots.
- Ventilation is a condition. Many manufacturers require adequate attic ventilation. An overheated or damp attic can reduce or void coverage.
Workmanship warranties
A workmanship warranty covers the roofer’s own work: flashing, nailing, underlayment, vents and the details that keep water out. When something covered goes wrong, the roofer comes back and fixes it.
Terms vary widely between contractors. When you compare quotes, ask:
- How many years does the workmanship warranty last?
- What exactly does it cover — leaks, blow-offs, flashing?
- Is it written down, with the quote, before you sign?
- Is it transferable if you sell the house?
- Who do you call, and how quickly will they come back?
A workmanship warranty is only as good as the company behind it. A long warranty from a crew that follows storms and moves on is worth less than a shorter one from a contractor who’ll still be in Airdrie next year.
What warranties don’t cover
Neither warranty is an insurance policy. They generally exclude:
- Hail, windstorms and falling trees beyond the product’s rating — these are for your home insurance
- Ice dams caused by heat loss and poor ventilation in the house — see roof ventilation
- Damage from other trades — satellite dishes, solar mounts, antennas or anything fastened through the roof after installation
- Foot traffic and pressure washing that damages the shingles
- Lack of maintenance — debris left in valleys, cracked sealant never addressed
- Normal weathering such as colour fading within the product’s terms
New homes in Airdrie: your builder’s warranty
Much of Airdrie was built in the last fifteen years, and many homes are still inside their new home warranty. Alberta’s mandatory new home warranty includes coverage for the building envelope — which includes the roof — for longer than the first-year coverage on materials and labour. If your roof is leaking on a newer home in Reunion, Hillcrest or another recent phase, check your warranty documents before paying for repairs. A roof inspection can document installation defects for your claim.
How to make a warranty claim
- Protect the house first. If water is coming in, limit the damage — a bucket, a tarp from a professional if needed. See emergency roof repair.
- Find your paperwork. The invoice, the written warranty and any registration confirmation for the manufacturer’s system warranty.
- Photograph the problem — inside and out, with dates.
- Call the installer first. Most manufacturer claims go through the installing contractor, who inspects the roof and determines whether it’s a material or workmanship issue.
- Don’t let another roofer alter the area before the original installer has seen it — that can complicate the claim.
- Keep a record of every call, email and visit.
Keep your roof warranty-ready
- Keep the invoice and warranty documents with your house records.
- Keep the attic ventilated and bath fans ducted outside.
- Have the roof checked after major storms and every couple of years once it’s older.
- Ask before anyone mounts anything on the roof.
- Fix small problems quickly — see roof repair.
For how warranty coverage fits into the total cost of a roof, see the Airdrie roofing cost guide and our roof replacement page.