When investing in a new commercial roof, understanding the terms of your roofing warranty is just as important as choosing the right materials. While warranties offer peace of mind, they don’t cover everything.
What’s Typically Covered
A standard roof warranty typically includes:
Material defects (such as premature membrane failure)
Workmanship errors during installation (depending on the warranty type)
Warranties range in length from 10 to 30 years, and the level of protection depends on the type you choose.
Types of Roof Warranties:
NDL (No Dollar Limit) Warranty: This is the most comprehensive type of warranty. If your roof fails due to a manufacturing defect or poor workmanship, the manufacturer covers both material and labor costs for the repair or replacement even if the costs exceed the original installation price.
Material-Only Warranty: This covers the cost of replacement material due to a product defect. However, labor costs are not covered, and the warranty is often prorated, meaning coverage decreases over time.
What’s Not Covered:
Both warranty types come with critical exclusions. Warranties can be voided or denied if damage results from:
Third-party contractors (e.g., HVAC techs dropping tools or spilling grease)
Storm damage or natural events
Neglect, including lack of maintenance
Unauthorized repairs using unapproved materials
And importantly, neither warranty covers interior damage to the building, even if that damage stems from a roof failure due to material or workmanship defects.
A roofing warranty is a valuable layer of protection, but it has strict limits. Understanding the difference between material-only and NDL warranties and the exclusions each carries can help you make better decisions and avoid costly surprises.
Want help maintaining your roof to protect your warranty? RoofingSource’s RoofCare program ensures you meet all necessary upkeep requirements. RoofCare program is a critical safeguard for your business. By streamlining both proactive and reactive repairs, it creates a consistent, repeatable system for managing rooftop issues across every location making it essential to keeping your business running. These essential checkups catch early signs of failure before they become full-blown leaks.
Need expert eyes on your roof? Contact RoofingSource below or call (833) 247-7663 today to schedule a roof assessment.
Written by
Daniel Schnelbach
Estimator
daniel.schnelbach@roofingsource.com
