The three kinds of warranty
| Material-only (often prorated) | NDL (no-dollar-limit) system warranty | Contractor workmanship warranty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who stands behind it | The manufacturer | The manufacturer | The roofing contractor |
| What it covers | Defective membrane or product; labor usually not included | Leaks caused by covered defects in the manufacturer's system and, in most programs, the installer's workmanship, repaired at full cost for the term | Leaks caused by how the roof was installed |
| Dollar limit | Often capped, or shrinking with age | No dollar cap on covered repairs | Set by the contract |
| What it takes to get | Registering the product | An approved, matching system, an installer the manufacturer allows to offer it, a fee, and a manufacturer inspection before it is issued | Comes with the job |
| Our terms | Depends on product and brand | 10-year and 20-year terms available | From 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job |
What "no dollar limit" does and doesn't mean
NDL describes the payout, not the scope. If a covered leak appears in year 3 or year 18, the manufacturer pays the full cost to repair it. It is not insurance, and every warranty document lists exclusions. Common ones:
- Weather beyond the stated limits: hail and wind above what the warranty names, tornadoes and lightning. In North Texas, ask specifically how hail is treated.
- Consequential damage: wet inventory, ceilings, business interruption. That is your property insurance, not the roof warranty.
- Other trades on the roof: new curbs, HVAC work, solar or antennas added without the manufacturer's approval.
- Drainage and building movement: ponding beyond stated limits, clogged drains, structural movement.
- Skipped maintenance: most programs require clear drains, records, and leaks reported in writing within a set number of days.
How we get an NDL warranty issued
- We choose a system the manufacturer will warrant for your deck, insulation and slope, and write it into the bid with the term (10 or 20 years).
- Every component comes from the approved system list, so nothing voids it.
- We install to the manufacturer's published specification and details.
- The manufacturer inspects, and we fix anything on its punch list.
- The warranty is issued to the building owner, and we give you the document, as-built photos and the maintenance requirements.
The price of the NDL depends on which term you choose and the size of the roof. The manufacturer sets its own fee and conditions, so we show it as its own line in the bid.
Which systems can carry one?
Most single-ply and multi-ply systems we install can: TPO, PVC, EPDM, modified bitumen and many built-up systems. Coating manufacturers offer system warranties tied to the thickness applied; see the silicone, acrylic and urethane spec pages and spray foam. Metal roof warranties work differently: the panel and paint finish are usually warranted separately. See commercial metal roofing.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is this warranty NDL, capped or prorated? Ask for the sample warranty document, not a brochure.
- Does it cover the installer's workmanship, or materials only?
- What wind speed and hail limits does it name?
- Which components are included: membrane, flashings, insulation, edge metal?
- What maintenance and reporting does it require, and what voids it?
- Is it transferable if you sell the building?
- What does the contractor's own workmanship warranty cover, and for how long?
Warranties and storm claims
A roof warranty and a hail claim are separate tracks. If a storm damages a warranted roof, your property insurance handles the storm damage, and repairs need to be done in a way that keeps the warranty in force. We document the damage with photos and measurements and can be on the roof when your adjuster inspects. We don't adjust or negotiate claims; you work the claim with your insurance company. Texas law requires you to pay your deductible, and we never waive or rebate it. In Texas you generally have 1 year from the date of loss to file; check your policy. See commercial hail claims in Texas.
Commercial warranty: a workmanship warranty from 10 years up to lifetime, depending on the job, plus both 10-year and 20-year NDL (no-dollar-limit) manufacturer warranties (the price depends on which NDL term you choose). Manufacturer coverage depends on the product and brand, and on the project qualifying for that manufacturer's program. We put the exact warranty for your roof in writing.
We're certified with GAF, CertainTeed, Owens Corning, Atlas, Johns Manville, Carlisle, Tropical Roofing Products, Mule-Hide and Enviroshake, and many other roof manufacturers.
General information, not legal advice. The warranty document issued for your roof controls.
Certified, with 30 years installing every major roofing brand, a family roofing business going back 75 years, and over $80 million in completed roofing projects. 5.0 stars on Google at all three of our offices.
Request a free inspection or call (817) 733-9228. Small repairs are welcome too.
