Consumer Advisory Bulletin

Roofing Warranties

Current state-of-the-art low-slope roofing systems are the result of a

century of research and innovation. The relatively recent introduction of

numerous systems utilizing rubbers, plastics, modified asphalts, and other

synthetic materials caused manufacturers to focus attention upon the

warranties they offered and to employ long-term warranties as a marketing

tool. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) in the interest of

the roofing consumer, acknowledges the following concerns relative to

manufacturers' roofing warranties.

The length of a roofing warranty should not be the primary criterion in the

selection of a roofing product or system because the warranty does not

necessarily provide assurance of satisfactory roofing performance. The

selection of a roofing system for a particular project application should be

based upon the product's qualities and suitability for the prospective

construction project. A long-term warranty may be of little value to a

consumer if the roof does not perform satisfactorily and the owner is

plagued by leaks. Conversely, if the roof system is well-designed,

well-constructed and well-manufactured, the expense of purchasing a warranty

may not be necessary.

Manufacturers who use long-term warranties as a marketing tool have

encountered a highly competitive roofing market and have found themselves

compelled to meet or exceed warranties of competitive manufacturers. It is

suspected that in some cases the length of the warranty was established

without appropriate technical research or documentation of in-place field

performance.

Increased liability risk associated with long-term warranties has

contributed to the recent demise of some manufacturers resulting in

unanticipated and costly expenses for extensive roof repairs by roofing

consumers. Unfortunately, there are a number of manufacturers who issued

long-term warranties and who are no longer operating companies with the

capability of honoring their warranty commitments, leaving consumers with an

ineffective warranty and a serious roofing problem. There is a common

misconception by roofing consumers that long-term warranties are

all-inclusive insurance policies designed to cover virtually any roofing

problem, regardless of the cause or circumstance. Roof warranties typically

do not warrant that the roof system will not leak or is suitable for the

project where it is installed. Even the most comprehensive manufacturer

warranties that cover material and workmanship generally provide only that

the manufacturer will repair leaks that result from specific causes

enumerated in the warranty. A material-only warranty typically provides only

that the manufacturer will provide replacement material.

Warranty documents often contain restrictive provisions which significantly

limit the warrantor's liability and the consumer's remedies in the event

that problems develop. The warranty document may also contain other

restrictions and limitations, such as a prohibition against assignment or

transfer of the warranty, exclusion of damages resulting from a defective

roof and monetary limitations.

Long-term warranties are largely reactive rather than proactive solutions to

roof problems. In general, they tend to undermine a prudent owner's initial

concern for proper roofing specifications and application, as well as their

subsequent primary responsibility for periodic roof maintenance.

The roofing consumer is best served by:

* Manufacturers who focus their sales efforts primarily on the relevant

and proven merits of those products and systems best designed to serve

the specific needs of the roofing consumer.

* Manufacturers who base warranties for membranes or systems solely upon

an honest and realistic appraisal of their proven service life

contingent upon the financial ability and good faith of the issuer to

honor those warranties for the duration of the designated warranty

term.

* Manufacturers who clearly and conspicuously state in writing all

recommended, as well as required, owner maintenance responsibilities

during the projected service life of the roof.

* Manufacturers who solicit from the roofing consumer a clear

understanding of the consumer's primary responsibility to provide

periodic routine maintenance during the service life of the roof

membrane.

NRCA believes that the roofing consumer, with the assistance of a roofing

professional, should focus his purchase decision primarily on an objective

and comparative analysis of proven roofing system options that best serve

his specific roofing requirements and not on warranty time frames.

NRCA further advises that the roofing consumer consult the membrane warranty

section of the Roofing Materials Guide for a comparative analysis of the

specific provisions, remedies, limitations, and exclusions of the warranties

of those roofing systems under consideration. All questions should be

addressed to the respective roofing manufacturers for specific written

clarification.

Copyright© 1996 - 1997 National Roofing Contractors Association