Roof Warranty Explained: What’s Covered (And What the Fine Print Hides)
Estimates only. Any dollar figures below are general ranges for the Dallas, GA area, published to help you plan. Every roof is different — pitch, access, decking condition, material choice and current material pricing all move the number. They are not a quote or an offer. For an accurate figure, book a free on-site inspection and we’ll put it in writing.
You’ve just invested $12,000 in a new roof. The contractor handed you a packet of warranty paperwork and said, “Call this number.” Then life gets busy. Three years later, a shingle blows off and you realize: you don’t actually know what’s covered, who to call, or how long the process takes. In Georgia’s climate, a misunderstanding about warranty terms can cost you $3,000–$8,000. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Two Warranty Layers You Must Understand
Every residential roof in Georgia comes with two distinct warranties. Missing one is like having car insurance but forgetting you also have AAA.
Manufacturer Warranty
Covers the shingles themselves — defects in materials, premature granule loss, color fading.
This is what GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning warranty.
Workmanship Warranty
Covers how the roof was installed — leaks from improper flashing, nails driven too deep, incorrect valley weaving.
This is what your roofer warrants — not the shingle manufacturer.
Manufacturer Warranty: What the Fine Print Says
We install three manufacturers in Dallas homes — here’s what their warranties actually cover:
Owens Corning Architectural Shingles (What We Install as Standard)
- 50-year limited warranty — transferable to the next homeowner, prorated after year 20.
- Better warranty — covers algae resistance for the full 50 years.
- Wind rating — Class 3 (110 mph winds). Class 4 (150 mph) upgrade available for $200 extra.
- Hail rating — Class 3 (resists 2-inch steel ball impact).
- Fine print gotcha: Warranty is prorated to 25–30% of replacement cost after year 10. So a $10,000 roof replacement at year 20 gets you $2,500 from GAF — you pay the rest.
Premium Laminated Shingles (Optional Upgrade)
- 50-year limited warranty — same as HDZ but with StainGuard Plus algae protection.
- Color care warranty — covers significant color fading (rare in Georgia).
- Full manufacturer coverage on labor and materials if registered.
- Fine print: Must be registered within 30 days of installation and installed by a manufacturer-certified contractor — we’re an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor.
Workmanship Warranty: What’s Really Guaranteed
Our workmanship warranty covers:
- Leaks caused by improper installation (flashing, valleys, nail placement).
- Wind uplift on improperly sealed shingles.
- Underlayment or ice/water shield defects from installation.
Note: Workmanship warranties don’t cover storm damage, acts of God, or normal wear — those are insurance claims, not warranty claims.
What’s NOT Covered (The Big Gotchas)
| Exclusion | Who Pays |
|---|---|
| Storm/hail damage | Insurance claim — not a warranty issue |
| Moss/lichen growth | Homeowner maintenance — requires annual treatment |
| Granule loss after 10 years | Prorated manufacturer payout (often $0) |
| Damage from improper maintenance | Homeowner — no warranty covers neglect |
| Color fading in non-warranted areas | Usually $0 manufacturer payout |
How Long Does a Warranty Claim Take?
Realistic timelines for Atlanta/Dallas area:
| Claim Type | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Workmanship (iRoofer) | 2–5 business days |
| Manufacturer | 30–60 days |
Manufacturer claims require photo documentation, proof of purchase, and often a “field representative” visit — which costs $200 in inspection fees that the homeowner usually pays upfront.
How to File a Warranty Claim
For workmanship issues (leaks, improper installation):
- Call us at (470) 236-1410 — we track your case in our system.
- Send 6–8 photos of the issue (from safe ground-level angles).
- We schedule a free site visit within 3 business days.
- We fix it, warrant the repair for 2 years, and follow up.
For manufacturer issues (shingle defects, granule loss):
- We handle this for you — just call us. We’re an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, so we can file claims directly.
- The manufacturer pays us directly — you’re not on the hook for the first $1,200. Some contractors make you pay upfront and reimburse later.
- Typical payout covers 75–100% of the replacement cost if you’re within 10 years of installation.
Transferability: What Happens When You Sell
In Georgia, the manufacturer warranty transfers to the next homeowner when you sell — but only if it was registered. We register every manufacturer warranty in your name automatically. At closing, hand the warranty packet to the buyer. If they don’t register within 30 days of purchase, the warranty is void.
Workmanship warranty does NOT transfer — it stays with us (iRoofer). If the new owner needs service, they’ll need to call us with your original invoice number.
iRoofer’s Warranty Promise
We back every roof we install with:
- A 10-year manufacturer warranty on the shingles we install, registered in your name — plus our own workmanship warranty in writing on the install.
- 24-hour emergency response — call us anytime, we’ll secure your roof.
- Full warranty management — we handle manufacturer claims directly, no $200 inspection fees passed to you.
- Annual inspection program — $99/year (includes one visit, photo report, and priority scheduling).
Questions About Your Warranty?
If you had your roof installed by someone else or you’re unsure what’s covered, we’ll review your paperwork for free. Call us or schedule a consultation — we’ll tell you the truth, even if we can’t help.