A Commercial Roof Warranty: What It Is and What It Covers

What Good is a Commercial Roof Warranty?

Roof warranties provide documented evidence of quality and expected future performance. Manufacturers and contractors offer warranties to project confidence and provide peace of mind to their customers. Commercial roof warranties reassure building owners that they won’t be financially burdened should some damage, malfunction, or other warranty covered issues arise.

A Brief History of Roof Warranties: Where Do They Come From?

Prior to the 1970s, the overwhelming majority of commercial buildings had tar-and-gravel built-up roofs. They didn’t come with modern roof warranties, but instead were backed by bonds, which were much more limited.

In the 1960s, manufacturers like Carlisle Companies Inc. (known today as Carlisle Construction Materials) unsuccessfully attempted to introduce single-ply membrane roofing systems, which are now the industry norm. Businesses largely rejected the new and unfamiliar material. But that all changed about a decade later due to the oil embargo in the early 1970s.

Almost immediately, the petroleum-related materials needed to make built-up roofs became scarce and expensive , and the quality of tar-and-gravel roofs plummeted. The ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber membrane roofs that Carlisle had been touting quickly became a hot commodity.

The problem, however, was that EPDM was radical, new and unproven. Single-ply membrane roof systems had no performance history to make building owners feel confident that they would last. Carlisle assured skeptics by guaranteeing quality and future performance with a documented promise that their revolutionary new roof systems were worth the investment and could withstand the test of time.

The modern roofing warranty was born.

Most roof warranties started as 10-year warranties and, as membrane roofs became more common and trusted through the 1980s, extended to 15 years, and then finally to today’s standard 20-year warranty.

4 Factors to Consider About Commercial Roof Warranties

A roof is one of the most expensive investments in the entire building, and owners and managers must consider several variables before they decide on the type of warranty that’s right for them, beginning with these four:

1. Insurance Policies:

Building owners should first consider their insurance policies. For example, warranties do not cover “acts of God,” like hurricanes, lightning strikes or tornadoes. If a building is located in a hurricane-prone region, it’s likely that the warranty will not cover damages caused by a major storm; the owner will probably have to file an insurance claim.

2. Exclusions:

Owners and managers should carefully review the warranty’s exclusions. For example, roofs are rated for wind speed. If a warranty protects roofs in winds up to 74 mph, any damage incurred in wind speeds greater than 74 mph would not be covered.

3. Issuers:

Not all warranties are created equal. A warranty can come from either the manufacturer, which covers the building materials, or the contractor, which covers the installation of those materials.

4. Maintenance:

Manufacturers can void warranty claims if the roof is not properly and regularly maintained, so owners and managers have to consider how diligently they plan to inspect and maintain their roofs before deciding on a warranty.

There is a common misconception that a warranty is an indicator of lifetime expectancy. It is not. Warranties help to protect buyers against faulty materials, issues with installation and some types of damage; they relieve some of the risk that owners and managers take on with such a costly purchase. Warranties are never, however, a substitute for quality workmanship performed by a diligent, experienced, reputable contractor who uses only the highest quality materials.

There’s No Such Thing as a Roofing Guarantee: Why Building Owners Must Understand Commercial Roof Warranties

Few systems in the average commercial building are more critical and more expensive than the roof. Exposed to the elements for decades on end, a roof is under attack throughout its entire life cycle. What can building owners do to protect their investments? Although there is no such thing as an unlimited roofing guarantee, a roof warranty can protect a building owner against certain types of damage, as well as flawed workmanship or materials. There are different kinds of warranties, however, and it is important to know what these warranties do and do not cover before signing on the dotted line.

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The 6 Things A General Contractor Must Look For In A Commercial Roofing Contractor

During any job, general contractors (GCs) have made a commitment to the building owner or developer to complete the work according to specifications, on time and within budget. One of the challenges they may face in delivering on that commitment would be a failure-to-perform issue with one or more of the subcontractors hired to complete specific aspects of the job. If a subcontractor stops work for any reason, the project is threatened and the GC may face serious repercussions. A general contractor, therefore, should work with a proven, reliable commercial roofing contractor who has a history of doing quality work quickly and correctly the first time. Here are six criteria GCs should look for when hiring subcontractors.

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How to Protect Your Roofing Company Against Damage, Injury and Liability

As a building owner or property manager, do you feel protected? With any roofing project, you need to be aware of the various concerns that could affect the success, cost, and timeline of your build. There are safety and liability concerns – and what about the roof and building itself? In this introductory piece, we’ll explore all the aspects of roof work that you need to consider so that you can manage the risk.

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A Designer’s Essential Guide To Choosing A Reliable Commercial Roofing Contractor

Working with a new contractor on a roofing project can be a headache if you don’t choose your partners wisely. Designers have a lot to consider when trusting someone to turn their plans into a reality within their desired timeline and budget. Choosing the wrong roofer can lead to a drawn-out process that takes longer than you hoped and has you spending more than you agreed to. Or worse, choosing the wrong contractor often means ending up with a roofer that cannot execute your plans, resulting in a shoddy finished product. Here are 9 signs to look for to help you identify a reliable roofing contractor who will live up to your expectations.

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Before the Work Begins: How a Job Hazard Analysis Protects Owners and Contractors

Property owners or managers could be liable for any damage or injuries that occur on their properties or worksites. Thus, it’s vital that they not only understand how they can influence safety on the job site, but also why it’s vital to hire a contractor who is safety conscious. By ensuring safety at the job site, diligent, responsible contractors do more than just look out for the health and well-being of their workers. Strong safety measures ensure efficient work and reduce the probability that either the owner or the contractor will be subject to costly legal repercussions should a problem occur. It all starts with analyzing and communicating the potential hazards.

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