Commercial roof warranties are the equivalent of an insurance policy for your commercial roof. Roof warranties are financial assets designed to protect your property and investment, like an insurance policy.
Paying attention to the type of roof warranty you own or are purchasing can improve your ability to manage your roofing structure and keep it in the best shape. Typically, property owners and managers focus on the length of the warranty, but there’s much more to it than the duration.
Like an insurance policy, roofing warranties can be complex and include plenty of fine print. Here’s a breakdown of the commercial roofing warranties to help you safeguard your commercial investments.
Manufacturer Roof Warranties
These are warranties from the roofing product manufacturers guaranteeing they’ll cover the cost of repair or replacement if their products fail within a specific period. They include:
Manufacturer’s No Dollar Limit Warranty
Also known as a manufacturer’s NDL warranty, this full-system warranty provides the best level of protection. It guarantees that the roofing manufacturer will cover any product failure or defect during the warranty period, regardless of the cost of repair or replacement.
However, you must ensure the entire roof installation follows the manufacturer’s technical specifications. Your commercial roof must pass the manufacturer’s inspections at each step of the installation process.
Typically, the length of an NDL warranty is 10 to 30 years, depending on the type of roofing system you install. They also carry a fee based on your roof’s square footage, and the rates vary between roofing manufacturers.
Manufacturer’s Material Warranty
This limited commercial roof warranty covers your roof against product failure. It guarantees the products won’t fail within a set period—10,20, or 30 years—and covers the roofing materials against premature aging and defects.
Roofing manufacturers offer material warranties free of charge or at very affordable prices. However, this warranty doesn’t cover roofing accessories like edging, flashing, or adhesives. It also won’t cover any third-party products that your roofing contractor uses to install your roof or the labor cost.
Manufacturer Labor and Material Warranty
It’s a limited manufacturer warranty that covers labor and material defects while maximizing the manufacturer’s responsibility limits. Unlike other warranties, this coverage is pro-rated. Therefore, the coverage limit correlates to the roof’s age, with older roofs getting lower coverage.
Manufacturer’s Roofing System Warranty
Also known as the Membrane Only Warranty, this is the most basic warranty offered by the manufacturer. It only covers the roofing membrane and excludes problems with the decking and insulation. It can provide no dollar limit or limited coverage.
Roofing Contractor Warranty
A roofing contractor warranty covers workmanship done when installing the commercial roof. It may cover the contractor’s roofing products, including those supplied by third parties and the roofing materials manufacturer.
Most roofing contractor warranties are between 1 to 5 years by are highly desirable because they cover defective products and workmanship. Only roofing contractors certified by roofing product manufacturers provide these types of warranties. Manufacture certification guarantees the contractor is well-versed with the product and will provide outstanding workmanship.
Mistakes that Can Void Your Commercial Roofing Warranty
Typically, you’ll need to keep your commercial roof in tip-top shape to benefit from warranty coverage. That means having a certified roofer perform annual inspections and routine maintenance on your rooftop. Roofing errors or bad practices are what void a roof warranty.
Unsanctioned Roof Modifications
Unless performed by a certified roofer, roof penetrations, such as skylights, HVAC vents, and ducts, can compromise your roofing structure. You must ensure that trained and experienced roofing professionals install such elements. Otherwise, your roof may develop leaks that void your warranty.
Poor Storm Drainage
Failing to install proper storm drainage may cause the roof of a commercial building to sustain extensive damage. Failing to address the damage caused by a storm right away may void your warranty. If your roof sustains storm damage, you should document the damage and have a professional roofer inspect and repair the damage.
Lack of Routine Maintenance
Poor routine maintenance makes your commercial roof susceptible to water damage that may result from a clogged drain. Poor drainage often results in water pooling on the rooftop and compromising its structural integrity. It also creates the perfect conditions for algae growth, causing it to break down. If your roof sustains damage due to negligence, your roofing warranty won’t cover the repair or replacement costs.
Don’t Take Chances with Your Roof Warranty
A commercial roof warranty is a form of insurance policy designed to protect your commercial property. It’s the perfect way to keep your roof in tip-top shape and extend its lifespan without incurring huge repair and replacement bills. However, you’d need to uphold proper maintenance guidelines, work with an authorized and certified contractor, and understand the contents of the roofing warranty.
At PSI Roofing, we specialize in re-roofing and restoring roofing structures in occupied commercial buildings. We have served the Fort Lauderdale area for more than 28 years. Contact us today and have our combined experience of more than 100 years in roofing installation, repair, and restoration at your disposal. Besides using the best roofing materials and warranties, our certified experts will walk you through the entire process to ensure you get the best results.
