- “Lifetime” warranty is basically code for “until you actually need it.”
- Had a similar thing—hail trashed my shingles, but the company said it was “acts of God.” Guess God’s got a side hustle in roofing loopholes.
- I keep a folder with every invoice, photo, and email. Even then, they’ll find a way to say it’s not covered.
- My neighbor tried to claim on his 25-year roof after 8 years. They blamed “improper attic ventilation.” He had receipts for the install and everything... still no luck.
- Honestly, I think half the battle is picking a contractor who’ll actually answer your calls when things go sideways.
- For what it’s worth: metal roofs seem to get fewer warranty headaches, but they’re pricier up front.
- If you’re in a stormy area like me (Midwest), insurance has been more useful than any warranty so far.
- At this point, I just expect the fine print to win. But hey, at least my Google Drive is organized now...
“Honestly, I think half the battle is picking a contractor who’ll actually answer your calls when things go sideways.”
Couldn’t agree more. I manage a few older buildings and the only warranty that’s ever actually paid out was because the installer handled the paperwork and pushed it through. The rest? Always some loophole—“installation error” or “weather event.” Metal roofs have been less hassle for me, but yeah, the upfront cost stings. Insurance has covered more than any warranty ever did, especially after last year’s windstorm. At this point, I just budget for repairs and keep every scrap of documentation... just in case.
“The rest? Always some loophole—‘installation error’ or ‘weather event.’”
That’s been my experience too. Even with “lifetime” warranties, there’s always fine print. I’ve seen more folks get help from their insurance than any warranty. Metal’s solid, but yeah, the sticker shock is real.
Even with “lifetime” warranties, there’s always fine print.
That’s what gets me—“lifetime” sounds great until you actually need it. I went with asphalt because of the price, but now I’m wondering if I should’ve just saved up for metal. Has anyone had luck getting a warranty honored after a big storm, or is it always an insurance thing?
I hear you on the “lifetime” thing—mine turned out to mean “as long as the original installer is still in business and you can find every scrap of paperwork from 12 years ago.” After a hailstorm, my warranty didn’t cover much. Insurance picked up the slack, but only after a lot of back and forth. Asphalt was cheaper up front, but I’m starting to think metal might’ve been worth the headache savings, even if it meant eating ramen for a few extra months.
