One of the important things to consider when shopping for a new roof is the warranty that your shingles will come with. A robust warranty provides peace of mind and shows that the manufacturer stands behind their product. Every year we review the warranty terms of the most popular shingles on the market to make sure they offer adequate coverage, and to help homeowners make an informed decision for their home.
ATLAS leads the way with their Signature Select™ Warranty, which offers superior coverage over the standard warranty programs of the other major brands. The most impressive feature is their lifetime algae-resistance warranty, which covers algae-discoloration at 100% cost for life. We think this proves just how far ahead of the competition ATLAS stands with their revolutionary 3M Scotchgard™ algae-resistance technology.
The life expectancy of shingles continues to increase throughout the industry, with most new shingles now rated for 50+ years. But most shingles are missing the mark when it comes to algae-resistance, and often they begin to look dull and tarnished after only a few years. We feel this is unacceptable, especially when most shingles claim to be "the last roof you will ever need!" We believe if you are buying a roof to last a lifetime, you should get one that will look great for life. Other manufacturer's may make similar claims about their algae-resistance, but for us, their warranties don't inspire the same confidence.
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
This spreadsheet compares the features and limitations of the standard free warranties included with some of the most common asphalt roofing products. Many of these manufacturers offer upgraded or extended warranties for an additional fee. However, for the purposes of this comparison, we chose to include only the standard warranties that do not require an additional fee.
KEY TERMS
NON-PRORATED PERIOD: Lifetime Limited Warranties are typically “prorated,” meaning that their warranty coverage is reduced over time. For example, if a lifetime warranty is prorated over the course of 20 years, and at the 10 year mark you file a warranty claim, your warranty settlement may only pay 50% of the actual cost of your roof. The “non-prorated period” refers to a specified period of time during which any warranty claims will be paid at 100%, without any reduction for depreciation.
ALGAE WARRANTY: This is the period of time during which you may make a claim for algae discoloration (black streaks/tarnishing on the shingles). If you file a claim during the algae warranty period, you may be compensated to clean, repair, or replace the affected shingles, subject to any proration or other terms of the algae warranty.
WIND WARRANTY: Warranties typically have special terms for making wind damage claims. For example, damage caused by winds above a certain speed may not be covered. The wind warranty may also expire earlier than the total warranty term.
LABOR REIMBURSEMENT: This means that in the event of a warranty claim, the manufacturer will pay not only the value of the affected products, but also the value of the labor needed to install them. This can be equivalent to 15-25% of the total cost of a roof repair or replacement.
TEAR-OFF REIMBURSEMENT: This means that in the event of a warranty claim, the manufacturer will pay not only the value of the affected products, but also the value of the labor needed to tear-off and dispose of the faulty products. This can be equivalent to 15-25% of the total cost of a roof repair or replacement.
Thank you for reading our shingle warranty comparison! Be sure to check out the Ultimate Shingle Comparison too!
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