{"id":9122,"date":"2017-04-28T21:18:10","date_gmt":"2017-04-29T02:18:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.choiceroofcontractors.com\/?p=9122"},"modified":"2020-10-21T10:58:31","modified_gmt":"2020-10-21T15:58:31","slug":"the-truth-about-commercial-roof-warranties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.choiceroofcontractors.com\/the-truth-about-commercial-roof-warranties\/","title":{"rendered":"The Truth About Commercial Roof Warranties"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"commercialA warranty can sound great coming from the lips of a good salesman, and it\u2019s easy to be lured into choosing one company or product over another because of long-term warranty claims. However, when you examine the fine print, you\u2019ll find that, far more often than not, a warranty is crafted to protect the company, not the consumer.<\/p>\n

The truth about commercial roof warranties is that most are created to limit the manufacturer\u2019s liability rather than offer real protections for you. Many warranties list in great detail what they will not <\/em>cover instead of what they will and have exclusions that make it ridiculously easy for the manufacturer to invalidate the warranty. Many commercial roofing manufacturers further lack important code approvals for their products and have low standards for granting and maintaining their warranties.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: When you\u2019re choosing a commercial roofing company or a certain roofing system, it\u2019s important to dig deeper than just the number of years a warranty covers.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s About More Than Just the Number of Years<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"warrantyCompanies like to seduce consumers with flashy promises like \u201clifetime warranty\u201d or \u201c30-year warranty.\u201d That language makes it sound like your roofing product is going to be guaranteed for a lifetime or for 40+ years, respectively\u2014but is that really what it means?<\/p>\n

Exclusions<\/h5>\n

When you look at the fine print, your warranty may list exclusions that make it very easy for a manufacturer to reject any warranty claims you make. For instance, some roofing warranties stipulate that the presence of animal debris on a roof\u2014something that virtually every roof has within hours of installation due to bird droppings\u2014is grounds for invalidation of the warranty.<\/p>\n

Responsibilities<\/h5>\n

It\u2019s also important to know what your responsibilities are as a consumer. Failure to inspect and maintain a roof in the ways stipulated by your warranty can lead to invalidation of the warranty. Some companies require written notice of a leak within 30 days of the leak being discovered or they may not cover the repairs. Many warranties will further not cover any damage resulting from a leak, such as damage to office equipment or the presence of mold and mildew.<\/p>\n

Selecting a product with even a 200-year warranty won\u2019t matter if its language makes it easy for the manufacturer to get out of it and legally refuse your claims.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: Know what your warranty covers\u2014and what it doesn\u2019t.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prorated vs. Non-Prorated Warranties<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"nonAnother thing to watch for in a warranty is whether it\u2019s prorated or non-prorated.<\/p>\n

Diminishing Value<\/h5>\n

Many roofing products have prorated warranties, which means the warranty coverage lessens over time. This type of warranty is designed to favor the manufacturer. Once your roof is installed and the clock begins to tick, your warranty will cover less and less with each passing year. If you have a 10-year prorated warranty, for instance, and at the eight-year mark your roof needs repairs or replacement, you\u2019ll find that your warranty will only cover 20% of the cost.<\/p>\n

A non-prorated warranty, in contrast, requires the issuer to cover a roof for the entire period of the warranty in full. In other words, the manufacturer\u2019s responsibility does not diminish over time.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: Make sure your warranty carries its full worth when you are most likely to need it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who Do You Think You\u2019re Dealing With?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing any roofing product or system is the background of the manufacturer or specific product. Has the manufacturer of your roofing product been around for decades\u2014or has the company only been in business for a couple of years? A well-established manufacturer with a long-time trusted product is obviously the preferred choice.<\/p>\n

Product History<\/h5>\n

\"productFar too many roofing products are warrantied for much longer than they have existed. Be wary of a product that has only been on the market for two years, for example, but promises a 30-year warranty (even if the manufacturer has been around for decades). When you compare the results of a product being tested in a laboratory and a product being tried and proven on actual roofs, there is no comparison.<\/p>\n

Online Reputation<\/h5>\n

\"onlineIt is also crucial to check out consumer reviews for both the roofing systems and roofing contractors you\u2019re considering. These days, the Internet is jam-packed with reviews that are easy to access, and they enable would-be consumers to learn from what others have already experienced with a certain product or contractor. It is simply unwise to blindly purchase a product or enter into a work agreement without digging into some background information first.<\/p>\n

Proper Training<\/h5>\n

\"properSome companies\u2019 standards are also not up to par with the standards of other companies. Many roofing product manufacturers hold only brief, and certainly not intensive, training workshops before setting contractors loose on the world with their manufacturer\u2019s stamp of approval. Reputable companies, on the other hand, hold in-depth, hands-on trainings for contractors that last three days to ensure those installing the company\u2019s roofing products are knowledgeable and will install the products correctly.<\/p>\n

Trusted Support<\/h5>\n

\"roofingThe phrase \u201cthere is safety in numbers\u201d has definite application to the world of commercial roofing. When you choose a private contractor, it can be a little bit like playing Russian roulette\u2014you just never know if you\u2019re going to get quality workmanship or reliable products. In contrast, when you hire a contractor who belongs to a nationwide association, there are myriad benefits and reassurances, such as the availability of a national pool of experts, group accountability, set service standards and a long track record of dependability.<\/p>\n

The bottom line: Do your homework when choosing a roofing contractor or product.<\/span><\/p>\n

Professionals and Products You Can Trust<\/h3>\n

\"groupIf you\u2019re looking for a trusted system, Conklin is the manufacturer of choice for the Choice Roof Contractor Group.<\/p>\n

Our group is a nationwide association of professional roofing contractors who are endorsed and trusted. Our affiliated contractors can collectively service all types of commercial roofs, and, through Conklin, you have access to non-prorated, full-coverage warranties you can count on (and we don\u2019t mind if you read the fine print!). 
\nHere are some of the reasons we have trusted Conklin from day one:<\/p>\n