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GAF Ltd. Warranty Comparison Guide *
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STANDARD Shingle Warranty |
BETTER System Warranty |
BEST Golden Pledge |
| Material Defect Coverage |
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| 100% coverage period |
10 yrs. (3 or 5yrs. on 3-tab shingles) |
50 yrs. (20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) |
50 yrs. (20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) |
| Covers roofing system? |
No, just shingles |
Yes, entire system |
Yes, entire system |
| Misapplication of certain flashings covered? |
No |
2 yrs. (typical coverage offered by contractor) |
25 yrs. (20 yrs. on 3-tab shingles) (coverage provided and backed by GAF) |
| Installer certified? |
No (Anyone can install) |
Yes |
Yes |
| Tear-off costs included? (when necessary) |
No |
Yes (for material defects only) |
Yes (for material defects or workmanship) |
| Disposal costs included? (when necessary) |
No |
No |
Yes (for material defects or workmanship) |
| Problem Prevention |
|
|
|
| Exclusive 4-point factory inspection? |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Peace of Mind * |
|
|
|
| *Maximum* wind coverage up to 130 mph Category 3 hurricane wind speed available? |
Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) |
Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) |
Yes (Not available for 3-tab shingles) |
| Warranty transferable? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Free transfer? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Good Housekeeping protection? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
* Check ltd. warranties for complete coverage and restrictions. Also note:
- The word "lifetime" means as long as the original individual owner of a single family detached residence (or the second owner in certain circumstances) owns the property where the shingles are installed.
For owners/structures (e.g., a church) not meeting above criteria, warranty term is 40 years.
See limited warranty for complete coverage restrictions.
- Installer certification is only for installations covered by GAF system warranties.
- Maximum wind coverage requires special installation. See warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are Warranties Important? A new roof is a big investment, typically involving thousands of your hard-earned dollars and lasting 25, 30, 40 years, or more. As with any big investment, knowing in advance what your warranty covers could save you thousands in the event that problems arise with your roof.
What Are the Chances of Having A Problem With My New GAF Roof?
Based on our state-of-the-art manufacturing process, the odds of having a problem with a new GAF are minuscule. On the other hand, while serious problems with GAF roofing materials are rare, if you were to have a problem, it can be as expensive to fix as your roof originally cost. So while the risk of having a problem is low, the cost if you do have a serious problem is high.
What About Problems With Installation?
GAF's studies indicate that more than two-thirds of the problems that people experience with their new roofs are due to the contractor's workmanship - not the roofing material. This is an important distinction to keep in mind when deciding on warranty coverage.
What Should I Look For In a Roofing Warranty?
Basically, there are two types of coverage that you should ask your contractor about: coverage against manufacturing defects in the material and coverage against workmanship errors.
Tell Me About Coverage Against Manufacturing Defects
As far as we know, all manufactures provide a warranty against manufacturing defects for their roofing products, although your exact coverage will vary depending on the brand. For example, a typical shingle warranty will cover manufacturing defects for a period of 20, 30, 40 years, or more. The warranty on the other components that make up your roofing system can vary from as little as a few months to several years. It is important o remember that coverage against manufacturing defects is provided by the manufacturer, so you should select a brand from a manufacturer who is financially strong and therefore more likely to be in business for as long as you own your roof - which could be several decades!
What Is GAF's "Smart Choice Protection Period"?
GAF's warranties come with a special provision called the Smart Choice Protection Period that covers you against manufacturing defects during the critical early years of your new roof. During this period, in the event that you experience a manufacturing defect on covered components, GAF will provide you with 100% replacement materials and the reasonable cost of labor to install them. This is important because some roofing warranties may only provide replacement materials, but not the labor to install them.
What Is The GAF Weather Stopper System Plus Ltd. Warranty?
The GAF Weather Stopper System Plus Ltd. Warranty provides coverage against manufacturing defects for all major GAF components on your roof (not just your shingles) - so you'll have the peace of mind of knowing that, if any covered roofing component fails, it will be covered by the warranty (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.) The warranty is available through GAF's factory-certified contractors, and is a low-cost way to get up to 50 years of non-prorated coverage (against manufacturing defects) on your new roofing system. For the small additional cost of the System Plus ltd. warranty, this is probably the best value you can get for your investment.
How Can I Also Get Coverage Against Workmanship Errors?
Many roofing contractors provide their own warranty against errors in workmanship, sometimes for as long as ten years or more. Obviously, that coverage is good for as long as the contractor remains in business. Since roofing is a "high-turnover" business, the majority of roofing contractors are out of business within five years - far less than the life of your new roof - making their warranty worthless and leaving you with nowhere to turn to in the event that you have a workmanship problem.
Are There Any Manufacturers Who Will Cover The Contractor's Workmanship?
GAF's Golden Pledge Ltd. Warranty was the first manufacturer's warranty to cover both manufacturing defects and the contractor's workmanship (see ltd. warranty for complete coverage and restrictions). Whether or not your contractor remains in business, GAF will stand behind his workmanship for 25 years! The Golden Pledge Ltd. Warranty is available through GAF Master Elite Contractors, who are factory-certified by GAF. The warranty even includes an inspection by GAF's factory-trained inspectors after your new roof has been completed to ensure proper installation. It is the strongest, safest warranty available in roofing today. Your Master Elite Contractor can provide a price for the warranty when he gives you a quote for your new roof.
How Do I File A Claim If I Have A Manufacturing Defect On My GAF Shingles?
Before you proceed, if possible you should locate a copy of your GAF warranty and a copy of the contractor's invoice, contract, or original estimate. You will also need to provide the date applied, proof that you were the owner when the shingles were installed (or that the warranty was properly transferred to you), and the number of squares applied (1 square = 100 square feet). Then call our Warranty Service Department toll-free at 1-800-458-1860, and let us know the nature of your complaint.
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GAF Warranty
