Roof repair and replacement are among the costliest home repair projects that there are. The fact is that your roof is one of the largest and most complex systems of your home, and it takes a great deal of parts and labor to complete a roofing project. This means that such a project can easily set you back thousands of dollars, or even tens of thousands of dollars. Needless to say, you’ll likely want to pay as little as you possibly can for these costs.
The upside is that a well-constructed roof can last for decades before it needs any sort of repair work. Still, life is unpredictable, and things can happen, which is why it’s always a good idea to have your new roof covered by some type of warranty. At Interstate Roofing, we’re proud to be partnered with roofing manufacturer GAF to offer the GAF Golden Pledge Warranty. This is an extensive warranty that many homeowners choose in order to have absolute peace of mind when they are having roof work done. Is this high-end warranty worth it for your home, though? This article will help you decide:
A Roof Warranty: What to Look For
There are many different roofing warranties available, and each provides different coverage. Basic warranties may only cover some of the materials. For example, you might opt for a limited warranty that covers the shingles of your new roof. If, during the coverage period, you discover that there was some defect in the shingles that have been installed, you can have those shingles replaced free of charge.
More extensive warranties will cover more than just basic materials; many may also provide workmanship warranties and cover the installation process as well. When it comes to roofing, it may take years for installation flaws to reveal themselves. Sometimes they’ll only become apparent after a big storm or other inclement weather event. The benefit of a workmanship warranty is that it will cover installation defects.
When you are shopping for a warranty, you should look for one that covers both workmanship and materials. You should also look at the length of the coverage period. For example, some warranties last for 10 years; others, 15 or 20. Still, others may last for the lifetime of the materials. This can be as long as 20 to 25 years with proper maintenance.
GAF Warranties: What They Cover
You are eligible for a GAF warranty if you have these shingles installed on your roof. Exactly what you are eligible for depends on the product you have purchased, the service with which you have been provided, and the level of contractor certification.
Purchasing any GAF product or accessories automatically means you’ll be covered by the GAF Shingle and Accessory Limited Warranty. While this is their most basic warranty, it’s still a pretty good one: you’ll get limited coverage on the products for their lifetime while also having a 10-year Smart Choice coverage period. The Smart Choice protection period covers the up-front period of your ownership, and it’s a crucial one: this is the period where defects will usually reveal themselves.
Assuming they are installed properly—such as by the GAF-certified professionals like Interstate Roofing—your basic GAF warranty will also cover your shingles for a wind speed of up to 130 miles per hour. This means that unless your home is struck by a tornado, you’re likely to be covered. If you want a warranty with no wind speed maximum, you’ll have to opt for a higher level of coverage.
GAF also manufactures specialty shingles designed for inclement weather conditions, such as LayerLocked shingles. Should you have these shingles installed, you’ll be eligible for some of the higher-level warranties, such as those with no wind speed limit. Also with the higher-level warranties, StainGuard PLUS shingles, which help to neutralize the growth of algae, can be covered for up to 30 years.
The Golden Pledge Warranty
There are plenty of warranty levels, but you’re here to decide if the GAF Golden Pledge Warranty is worth it. Here’s what you need to know to determine if the Golden Pledge Warranty is the right option for you.
The Golden Pledge Warranty is the highest level of coverage available to you. To be eligible, your roof must be installed by a GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractor—contact us at Interstate Roofing to request such a contractor—and you must order at least five qualifying accessory products. With this, your crucial SmartChoice coverage period for the materials is 50 years: easily long enough to be the lifetime of the roof itself.
Opt for the StainGuard PLUS shingles and you’ll get 30 years of coverage for them too, and if it does turn out that your roof needs to be replaced during the coverage period, the tear-off and disposal of your old shingles will be included with the warranty. This is actually a big deal, as tear-off and disposal can be fairly expensive when they’re not covered.
The GAF Golden Pledge Warranty also has a 25-year workmanship warranty, giving you many years of coverage for the installation of the roof itself. This can go a very long way toward ensuring your peace of mind. Essentially, if there are any defects in your roof, due to materials or installation, this warranty ensures you are covered for decades to come. So, is this extensive warranty worth it? If you value peace of mind, it very likely is.
Contact Interstate Roofing With Any Questions
The installersat Interstate Roofing are certified to work with GAF products, so if you have any questions about those products or the warranties involved, just contact us today. We’ll answer your questions, provide a free estimate, and when you’re ready, begin the process of installing your new roof.