What Do Roof Warranties Really Cover?

When homeowners install a new roof, they often feel a sense of relief:

"We’re covered for 20, 30… maybe even 50 years."

But here’s the reality most people don’t discover until there’s a problem:

Roof warranties do NOT cover most of the things that actually cause roofs to fail.

Understanding what your warranty really protects and where the gaps are can help you make smarter decisions about maintaining your roof and extending its life.

Let’s break it down.

What Roof Warranties Typically Cover

There are two main types of roofing warranties:

1️⃣ Manufacturer Material Warranty

This covers defects in the shingles themselves — meaning something was wrong when they were made.

This may include:

• Manufacturing defects
• Premature cracking due to product failure
• Abnormal granule loss from a production issue

What it does not cover: normal aging, weathering, or wear from the environment.

2️⃣ Workmanship Warranty (From Your Contractor)

This covers installation errors, such as:

• Improper nailing
• Incorrect flashing installation
• Poor ventilation setup (in some cases)

These warranties usually last 1–10 years, not decades.

What Roof Warranties Usually Do NOT Cover

This is where homeowners are often surprised.

Most roof problems come from natural aging, not manufacturing defects. And natural aging is almost always excluded.

Here’s what typically isn’t covered:

UV damage and sun exposure

Shingles dry out over time especially in hot or sunny climates.

Normal weathering

Rain, wind, temperature swings, and moisture slowly break down shingles.

Thermal expansion and contraction

Daily heating and cooling cycles cause shingles to expand and shrink, leading to cracking.

Granule loss from aging

Granules loosen as shingles dry out this is considered normal wear.

Loss of flexibility over time

Asphalt shingles lose their natural oils, becoming brittle and prone to damage.

In short:

Warranties cover defects. They don’t cover aging.

And aging is what causes most roofs to fail.

The Big Gap in Roof Warranties

Even a “lifetime” shingle warranty doesn’t guarantee your roof will last a lifetime.

Why?

Because the warranty assumes the shingles will age naturally and once aging causes problems, that’s considered normal wear, not a defect.

That’s the gap homeowners don’t see coming:

• The warranty protects the manufacturer
• It doesn’t protect you from aging

How Fresh Roof Helps Fill the Warranty Gap

This is where Fresh Roof becomes part of a smart long-term roof maintenance plan.

Fresh Roof uses patented GreenSoy™ Technology to restore the oils that shingles lose over time due to sun, heat, and weather.

Instead of waiting for aging to cause failure, Fresh Roof helps:

✔️ Restore shingle flexibility
✔️ Slow down drying and brittleness
✔️ Improve granule adhesion
✔️ Reduce cracking from temperature changes
✔️ Extend the life of the asphalt itself

It doesn’t replace your warranty — it protects you from the things your warranty doesn’t cover.

Why Treating Your Roof Every 6 Years Matters

Think of it like maintenance for your car. You wouldn’t drive 100,000 miles without changing the oil — and you shouldn’t expect shingles to last decades without restoring the oils they lose.

Applying Fresh Roof approximately every 6 years:

• Replenishes lost oils before shingles become brittle
• Keeps shingles flexible longer
• Slows the aging process dramatically
• Helps prevent the wear issues warranties exclude
• Can extend the overall lifespan of your roof significantly

Many roofs that receive regular rejuvenation treatments can last up to twice as long as roofs that are left to age untreated.

That means fewer replacements, fewer major expenses, and fewer surprises.

The Financial Side of Warranty Gaps

A warranty doesn’t pay for:

• Early replacement due to aging
• Shingles that become brittle from UV exposure
• Granule loss from long-term weathering

So when aging shortens your roof’s life, the replacement cost is yours.

By restoring shingles proactively, homeowners can:

• Delay replacement for years
• Get more value from their original roof investment
• Avoid paying out-of-pocket for “normal wear” failures

Smart Homeowners Combine Warranty + Maintenance

The best roof protection strategy isn’t just a warranty — it’s:

• A good shingle warranty
• Proper installation
• Regular inspections
• Periodic rejuvenation with Fresh Roof

This approach helps ensure your roof performs well long after the warranty stops helping.

Final Takeaway

Roof warranties are important — but they don’t stop aging.

Sun, heat, and weather slowly dry out shingles, and that kind of damage usually isn’t covered. By restoring shingles every 6 years with Fresh Roof, homeowners can protect against the wear warranties exclude and dramatically extend roof life.

If you want your roof to last as long as possible, don’t just rely on the warranty.

Protect it from the inside out.

Get a FREE Fresh Roof Quote HERE