Roof Warranties Explained: A Complete Guide for Kitchener-Waterloo Homeowners

When it comes to a new roof installation, one thing Kitchener-Waterloo homeowners look for first is a warranty. A roof is a significant investment, and having a solid warranty gives you peace of mind knowing that your home is financially protected against future issues — especially damage that is out of your control! 

But how does a roof warranty actually work, and when can it apply? As a trusted roofing company in Kitchener-Waterloo, we’ll be diving into how most roof warranties work, as well as how our specific Quality Care Roofing warranty works. 

Let’s quickly go over what a warranty entails…

What is a Warranty?

A warranty is essentially a promise made by the manufacturer or contractor regarding the quality and durability of a product or service. It serves as a safeguard for consumers, providing assurance that their investment will be protected for a certain period of time. 

If the product fails for a reason not in the consumer’s control, that’s when the warranty kicks in. The results of the warranty will usually involve replacing the product free-of-charge or refunding the customer for the amount they paid. 

Warranties vary significantly in terms of coverage and duration across different industries and products. In the roofing industry, warranties primarily cover the materials used (warranties covered by the manufacturer) and the workmanship involved in the installation (warranties covered by the contractor). 

a complete roof warranty guide kitchener waterloo

How Does a Roof Warranty Work in Kitchener-Waterloo?

In Kitchener-Waterloo, a roof warranty typically covers two main components: the materials used and the workmanship provided by the contractor. Warranties for roofing materials are covered by the manufacturer, while warranties involving workmanship are covered by the contractor and/or their insurance. Read the terms of each warranty carefully to understand what’s covered and what is not. 

Not all contractors offer warranties, so it’s important for homeowners to be mindful of who they choose to work with. A contractor who offers a warranty demonstrates confidence in their work and the quality of the materials they use.

What Does a Roof Warranty Cover?

  • Materials: Most manufacturers provide warranties that cover defects in the roofing materials, such as the shingles or plywood. If your roof experiences manufacturing defects, you can make a claim to have them replaced at no cost. 
  • Workmanship: A workmanship warranty covers errors made during the installation process. If your roof was installed improperly, causing issues like leaks and water damage, you can make a warranty claim. The original contractor’s insurance may also cover repair work done by another company to fix the original contractor’s mistakes, but not always.  

Are you concerned that your roof was installed incorrectly? We can assess the quality of workmanship with a free inspection! 

GAF-Certified Warranty

GAF is one of North America’s largest and most reputable roofing manufacturers, known for their high-quality roofing products. They also give certifications to eligible roofing contractors that meet their strict performance and workmanship standards. 

Only 7% of roofing companies in North America are GAF-certified — Quality Care Roofing is proud to be one of them!

The best part of being a GAF-certified roofing company is that we have access to some of the best roofing warranties in the industry. Let’s dive into the warranties provided by GAF-certified roofing professionals. 

  1. GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty
    1. Warranty Period: Lifetime
    2. Eligibility: comes with product purchase
      1. Learn more about the terms of this warranty
  2. GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty
    1. Warranty Period: Lifetime
    2. Eligibility: Installation of GAF shingles + at least 3 qualifying GAF accessories
      1. Learn more about the terms of this warranty
  3. System Plus Limited Warranty
    1. Warranty Period: Lifetime
    2. Eligibility: Product must be installed by a GAF-certified contractor along with installation of GAF shingles + at least 3 qualifying GAF accessories
      1. Learn more about the terms of this warranty
  4. Silver Pledge Limited Warranty
    1. Warranty Period: Lifetime
    2. Eligibility: Product must be installed by a GAF-certified contractor along with installation of GAF shingles + at least 4 qualifying GAF accessories
      1. Learn more about the terms of this warranty
  5. Golden Pledge Limited Warranty
    1. Warranty Period: Lifetime
    2. Eligibility: Product must be installed by a GAF-certified contractor along with installation of GAF shingles + at least 5 qualifying GAF accessories
      1. Learn more about the terms of this warranty

Learn More about GAF Warranties