What should you know about roofing warranties when purchasing a new roof?

Ever buy a new phone and skip the warranty, only to regret it the moment it hits the pavement? Now imagine that phone is your entire roof—and the next storm isn’t asking for permission. Roofing warranties are your insurance against regret, yet most homeowners don’t know what they’re signing up for.

It’s time to change that. Today, we will walk you through how roofing warranties work, what to know, and how to make the most of your new roof’s warranty!

*Roof warranty terms are subject to change at any time. While we strive to keep this article updated, it is always best to review the specific terms and conditions provided by your roofing contractor and shingle manufacturer. This content is intended as a general guide and should not replace a thorough review of your actual warranty documentation.

Roofing Warranties, What to Know –

If you’re investing in a new roof, the warranty isn’t fine print—it’s your financial backup plan. But most homeowners don’t realize just how many moving parts are involved. A complete roof warranty covers more than just the shingles—it should also account for underlayment, flashing, and even ventilation system components that affect performance.

We’ve had clients in Idaho run into trouble years after their roof installation, only to learn their warranty didn’t cover the real issues, like waterproofing membrane failure or subpar work that compromised the entire system. When reviewing your warranty, ask these six critical questions:

Is it a full-system warranty or just partial coverage on the shingles?
How long is the workmanship coverage, and is it backed by the contractor or the shingle brand?
Are materials like ridge caps, ice shields, or starter strips included?
Does the warranty cover wind uplift damage or just manufacturing defects?
What voids the warranty? Sometimes, basic neglect, like skipped roof inspections or DIY repairs, can cancel your claim.

Bonus term to keep in mind? Tear-off costs—some warranties don’t cover the labor or disposal fees if the roof needs to be removed due to failure.

The moral is don’t just ask if your roof has a warranty. Ask what it covers. The details could save you thousands down the road.

Roofing Warranties 101

Roofing warranties can feel like alphabet soup—until you need one. Unfortunately, things like a tree falling on your roof are not covered by a shingle warranty. However, your shingles are protected depending on the type!

That’s when the difference between a solid warranty and a skimpy one becomes painfully clear. At their core, warranties are meant to protect your investment and hold both manufacturers and contractors accountable. But the type of warranty you have—and how it’s structured—can change everything.

Here’s what every homeowner should know when comparing or reviewing roofing warranties:

Labor Warranty: Covers workmanship errors during your roof installation. If a contractor misaligns flashing or improperly nails down shingles, this warranty kicks in—not the shingle manufacturer’s.
Shingle Warranty: Provided by the shingle manufacturer, this protects against premature cracking, blistering, or granule loss—assuming proper installation and maintenance were followed.
Roofing System Warranty: This goes beyond just the shingles. It covers the full system once installed—underlayment, ice shield, starter strips, ridge cap, and ventilation components. Ideal for total coverage across all materials used.
Wind Warranty: Most shingles have a built-in wind rating, but the wind warranty defines the maximum sustained wind speeds covered—often up to 110–130 mph if installed per spec.
Algae Protection Warranties: If you’re dealing with humidity or shaded areas, algae streaking is a real concern. Look for shingles with built-in algae resistance and a 10–15 year warranty for added peace of mind.
Maximum Wind Speed Clause: Don’t assume all wind damage is covered. Always check the warranty’s rated maximum wind speed, especially if you live in high-wind zones or areas prone to storms. Damage outside that rating could void the claim.

Knowing these distinctions helps you choose a roof replacement warranty that actually works when it matters—not just one that looks good on paper.

Labor Roofing Warranty

The standard warranty through GAF – our preferred shingle supplier – is a 10-year, non-prorated labor warranty. This means if, for some reason, your new roofing system was compromised as detailed in GAF’s roof warranty information here, you would not have to pay for the labor or material to correct the rare issue.

After 10 years, the labor aspect of the warranty is prorated, meaning that if labor is required, the cost is prorated and adjusted according to the age of the roof. The labor guarantee is 10 years, with a prorated labor warranty for years 11+. This is comforting to know if you’re considering replacing your existing roof with a new roof, simply because most homeowners stay in one home for 4-8 years on average.

But don’t worry, in case you were wondering about the product warranty, you’re good for a lifetime!

Shingle Roofing Warranty

What really matters when it comes to your roofing warranty is the shingle warranty. If you were to simply buy shingles, just the act of doing so gets you a 15-year warranty right off the top. However, when we install a GAF roofing system, you now have the System Plus Limited Warranty which we will detail below.

GAF offers a few warranties, starting with the Shingle and Accessory warranty, and then one of four possible system warranties. The manufacturer’s System Plus Limited Warranty is the warranty we offer and below are the details. For specifics and a warranty sample, tap here.

Here’s what the GAF System Plus Limited Warranty from GAF really means for your roof:

Shingles: GAF’s Timberline shingles come with lifetime protection for manufacturing defects. That’s not marketing fluff—it means if your algae-resistant shingles crack, warp, or curl due to factory flaws, you’re covered.
Smart Choice Protection: For the first 50 years, you get full replacement value, not a prorated refund. That’s a huge deal and where most other roofing material warranties fall short.
Wind: GAF’s Timberline HDZ Shingle is the first ever to come out with an unlimited wind warranty if it is installed to their specifications (four nails, layer lock). This means that there is no wind cap for MPH for wind protection. So if you live in an area with large amounts of heavy wind that might somehow reach over 130mph, this is your warranty!
Algae: Thanks to built-in StainGuard® protection, you get a full 10-year algae warranty. Say goodbye to those ugly black streaks that plague older roofs in humid or shaded areas.
Must be installed as a system by a Master Elite roofing contractor and include three GAF products. For example, you couldn’t just use GAF shingles on an old roof, you would need to also use their underlayment deck protection and starter shingles. See more here.

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Comparing CertainTeed to GAF Roofing Warranties:

The two big shingle manufacturers are CertainTeed and GAF. They are comparable in just about every aspect and when you look at their warranty features, they are very similar. Here is a side‑by‑side comparison of key warranty features for GAF architectural shingles and CertainTeed architectural shingles:

Feature	GAF Architectural Shingles	CertainTeed Architectural Shingles
Material (manufacturing defect)	Lifetime limited warranty for original owner (prorated after Smart Choice Protection period). Smart Choice non-prorated period: 10 years; replaced materials fully covered for labor during that period; prorated afterward gaf.com+15documents.gaf.com+15myroofhub.com+15.	Limited lifetime warranty for the original owner (prorated). SureStart™ non-prorated full coverage for 10 years, then prorated lifetime coverage.
Labor & tear-off costs	Included during Smart Choice period (10 years); afterward, labor not covered except under enhanced warranties (Silver/Golden Pledge). Enhanced warranties (through Master Elite contractors) cover material and labor: Silver = 10 yr workmanship; Golden = 25 yr (30 yr for certain shingles) .	SureStart covers labor, tear-off, flashing, and disposal during first 10 years. Extended SureStart PLUS (3‑star to 5‑star levels) covers labor/tear‑off up to 50 years; higher levels include workmanship (up to 25 yrs) .
Algae resistance	StainGuard Plus PRO: 30 yr coverage (10 yr non-prorated); StainGuard Plus: 25 yr (10 yr non-prorated); basic StainGuard: 10 yr (1 yr non-prorated). Remedy: cleaning or replacement .	Landmark shingles include 25 yr StreakFighter® algae warranty and 10 yr SureStart non-prorated. Some sources note 10 yr algae warranty; others say 25 yr .
Wind resistance	Standard wind warranty up to 15 years: coverage up to 110/130 mph depending on installation; with LayerLock and qualifying accessories, WindProven: 15 yr with no max wind limit .	Standard wind warranty typically 110 mph; can be upgraded to 130 mph with CertainTeed starter and hip/ridge shingles .
Workmanship coverage	Basic warranty covers manufacturing only; enhanced Silver Pledge adds 10 yr workmanship, Golden Pledge adds 25 yr (30 yr on select shingles) .	SureStart PLUS 5‑star adds up to 25 yr workmanship; 4‑star and 3‑star do not include workmanship coverage .
Transferability	Transferable once: if within Smart Choice period, full coverage for second owner; after that, limited to 2 yr post-transfer prorated coverage .	Transferable once — from original owner to first subsequent owner, no fee; non-transferable after that .

Roofing Warranty Considerations for each:

Prorated vs. non-prorated: GAF’s Smart Choice and CertainTeed’s SureStart offer upfront non-prorated coverage, then shift to prorated for the remainder of the lifetime term.
Enhanced coverage: Both brands offer extended labor and workmanship protection when installed by certified contractors—GAF via Pledge warranties, CertainTeed via SureStart PLUS tiers.
Wind & algae: Both offer strong wind and algae coverage, but specific terms and durations vary by shingle line and certification.
Reading the fine print is essential: Qualifying accessories, installer credentials, and registration all matter greatly. Always review actual warranty documents for your exact product.

FAQ Roffing Warranties:

1. How does the GAF roofing warranty compare to the Certainteed roofing warranty?

If you go through Certainteed’s warranty information and GAF’s warranties, you will realize they are pretty much the same in terms of lifetime shingle warranties and what they offer. One thing that you will notice is that GAF’s Timberline HDZ Shingle is thefirst ever to come out with an unlimited wind warranty if it is installed to their specifications. Meaning, in most cases there are wind limits, such as 100 or 130 mph, but not for the GAF Timberline HDZ. These shingles have no limit to their wind warranty!

2. What do I do if I suspect I need to make a warranty claim for my roof?

In the event you need to make a claim for your warranty, you can reach out to the installer of your new roof or email GAF directly at warrantyclaims@gaf.com or call their warranty hotline at 1-800-458-1860.

3. Do I need to register my roof to qualify for a warranty?

While we can’t speak for all companies, when you use Legacy Roofing of Idaho, we handle any warranty paperwork, and you, as the customer, do not have to register your product. In fact, Neither the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty nor the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty requires registration.

4. How does roof maintenance affect my warranty coverage?

Skipping roof maintenance can void your warranty, no matter how solid it is on paper. GAF expects homeowners to inspect their roof regularly, clear debris, and repair damage promptly. A neglected roof isn’t a covered roof. That’s why we offer maintenance tips (and services) post-installation to keep your roofing warranty intact.

5. Does warranty coverage change if I sell my house after a roof replacement?

In most cases, yes. GAF warranties—like the System Plus Limited Warranty—are transferable one time within a specific window, usually 10–20 years. If you’ve had a roof replacement in Boise, ID and plan to sell, transferring the warranty can be a strong selling point. Just let us know and we’ll guide you through it.

6. What’s the difference between a material warranty and a labor warranty for roofing?

A roofing material warranty covers defects in the shingles or other materials, while a labor warranty for roofing covers installation errors. Both matter. If your contractor botched the install, the shingle company won’t cover it. That’s why Legacy Roofing provides a dual-backed warranty—you’re protected on both ends.

Roofing Warranties – What to Know & What We Offer