January 1 2010 GAF announced that 30 and 40 year products would now carry a (Limited) Lifetime warranty similar to other high end shingle product. With little surprise, Owens Corning and Tamko have matched this with other likely to follow.
Few of these Lifetime products will last beyond 25 years and many far less in the heat of North Texas. While there is value conveyed to the property owner. They need to understand the limits of these warranties.
All Lifetime shingle warranties are of very limited value. After 10 years, these Lifetime shingle warranties cover only the shingle (which can be less than half the job cost) and do so on a prorated basis (50 years). For example, if a roof installed today were to wear out in 20 years, then a Lifetime warranty would only cover around 30% of the replacement cost of the roof (30yr / 50yr times 50% of replacement cost).
To make that Lifetime warranty truly meaningful, a homeowner should strongly consider upgrading to a manufacturers enhanced system warranty. The manufacturer requires the contractor who installs the shingle to use premium accessories and special application methods. When done, these enhanced warranties cover the full replacement of the roof, not just the shingles. Following the example above, the warranty would cover 100% of the job not 30%. Only a shingle manufacturers Certified and / or Preferred Contractors may offer these warranties.
Bert Roofing Inc. is a Certified and / or Preferred Contractor for GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed. We offer a full line of enhanced warranties. Visit us at our website BertRoofing. com
