Commercial roofing warranties vary depending on the type of roofing system, the manufacturer, even between roofing contractors. Read on as the commercial roofing contractors at Elevated Roofing LLC discuss important things you should consider when reviewing commercial roofing warranties.
Type of Coverage
Commercial roofing warranty has several types of manufacturer or factory warranty coverage:
No Dollar Limit Warranty — A “no dollar limit” (NDL) warranty provides coverage for all material defects regardless of cost of replacement material, but typically does not cover labor costs or repairs to the support structure.
Manufacturer’s Material Warranty — In this type of manufacturer warranty, the manufacturer will only provide coverage for materials that they manufactured.
Manufacturer’s Labor and Material Warranty — In this type of warranty, the manufacturer provides coverage for both materials and labor up to a certain dollar limit. The bigger the roof or more complicated the roof work is, the faster the dollar limit is reached.
Manufacturer’s Roof System Warranty — Also known as a “membrane only” warranty, this type of warranty covers the roof repair costs of the main roofing material. The name refers to single-ply commercial roofing types like EPDM or TPO.
Additionally, commercial roofing companies offer coverage for roofing problems caused by installation errors. It’s typically shorter than manufacturer warranties, since problems caused by installation errors usually make themselves known within the first two to five years. Some manufacturers may offer workmanship or installation coverage through credentialed installers.
NDL Vs. Original Cost Vs. Prorated Warranties
As described above, a standard typical NDL warranty covers the repair costs with no limits to its costs, material-wise. In comparison, an “original cost” warranty covers the repair costs up to the original roofing purchase, while prorated warranties diminish in value over the roof’s life span.
Warranties Vs. Insurance Claims
Your insurance covers roofing problems other than those covered by your warranties. If it’s not caused by a manufacturing defect or installation error—which are covered by your warranties—then your insurance coverage may. Certain kinds of repair work may be covered by both, depending on certain conditions. For example, roofing warranties may cover wind damage up to a certain wind speed. Anything beyond that may be covered by the insurance provider.
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