GAF Warranties
GAF Ltd. Warranty Comparison Guide* |
| BETTER | BEST | |
Material Defect Coverage* | ||||
100% coverage period | 10 yrs.(3 or 5 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | 50 yrs.(20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | 50 yrs.(20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | |
Covers roofing system? | Yes, system coverageis available | Yes, covers entire system | Yes, covers entire system | |
Cost of installation labor included? | 10 yrs.(3 or 5 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | Lifetime (25 or 30 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | Lifetime (25 or 30 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) | |
Workmanship Coverage* | ||||
100% coverage period | None | 2 yrs. (Typical coverageoffered by contractor) | 25 yrs. (20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) (Coverage provided andbacked by GAF) | |
Misapplication of certain flashings covered? | No | 2 yrs. (Typical coverageoffered by contractor) | 25 yrs. (20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) (Coverage provided andbacked by GAF) | |
Installer certified? | No (Anyone can install) | Yes | Yes | |
Tear-off costs included? (when necessary) | No | Yes (For material defects only) | Yes (For material defectsor workmanship) | |
Disposal costs included? (when necessary) | No | No | Yes(For material defects or workmanship) | |
Problem Prevention | ||||
Exclusive 40-point factory inspection? | No | No | Yes | |
Peace of Mind* | ||||
“Maximum” wind coverage up to 130 mph Category 3 hurricane wind speed available? | Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) | Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) | Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) | |
Warranty transferable? | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
Free transfer? | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | Yes |
* Check ltd. warranties for complete coverage and restrictions. Also note:
- The word “Lifetime” means as long as the original individual owner of a single family detached residence (or the second owner in certain circumstances) owns the property where the shingles are installed. For owners/structures (e.g., a church) not meeting above criteria, Lifetime coverage is not applicable. See limited warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.
- Installer certification is only for installations covered by GAF system warranties.
- Maximum wind coverage requires special installation. See limited warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Warranties
Are roof warranties important?
A new roof is a big investment, typically involving thousands of your hard-earned dollars and lasting 25, 30, 40 years or more. As with any big investment, knowing in advance what your warranty covers could save you thousands in the event that problems arise with your roof.
What are the chances I will have a problem with my new GAF roof?
Based on GAF’s state-of-the-art manufacturing process, the odds of having a problem with a new GAF roof are about 1 in 1000! On the other hand, while serious problems with GAF roofing materials are rare, if you were to have a problem, it can be as expensive to fix as your roof originally cost. So while the risk of having a problem is low, the cost if you do have a serious problem can be high.
What if there are problems with the roof’s installation?
Studies indicate that more than two-thirds of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor’s workmanship, not the roofing materials. That’s why you should trust a GAF “MasterElite” certified contractor like DryTech Roofing with the installation.
What should I look for in a roofing warranty?
Basically, there are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: coverage against material defects and coverage against workmanship errors. Make sure you get both in writing.
What does a materials warranty cover?
Almost all roofing products come with a warranty against material defects, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, a typical shingle warranty will cover material defects for a period of 20, 30, 40 years or more. The warranty on the other components of your roofing system can vary from as little as a few months to several years. It is important to remember that coverage against material defects is provided by the manufacturer, so you should select a brand from a manufacturer who is financially strong and therefore more likely to be in business for as long as you own your roof, which could be several decades!
What is GAF’s “SmartChoice® Protection Period”?
GAF’s warranties come with a special provision called the Smart Choice® Protection Period that covers you against material defects during the critical early years of your new roof. During this period, in the event that you experience a material defect on covered components, GAF will provide you with 100% replacement materials and the reasonable cost of labor to install them. This is important because some roofing warranties may only provide replacement materials, but not the labor to install them.
What is the GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty?
The GAF Weather Stopper® System Plus Ltd. Warranty provides coverage against material defects for all major GAF components on your roof (not just your shingles)—so you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that, if any covered roofing component fails, it will be covered by the warranty (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). The warranty is available through GAF certified contractors, and is a low-cost way to get up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage (against material defects) on your new roofing system.
Does DryTech Roofing cover me against workmanship errors?
DryTech Roofing participates in the GAF Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty, the first manufacturer’s warranty to cover both material defects and the contractor’s workmanship (see warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). GAF will stand behind our workmanship up to 20 years! The Golden Pledge® Ltd. Warranty is available only through GAF Master Elite™ Contractors like DryTech Roofing, who are factory-certified by GAF. The warranty even includes an inspection by GAF’s independent inspectors after your new roof has been completed to insure proper installation. It is the strongest, safest warranty available in roofing today. DryTech Roofing can provide a price for the warranty when we give you a quote for your new roof.