Are you considering a metal roof for your home but unsure if the warranty will actually help you cover potential repair costs? Do you know what’s covered — and what isn’t — when it comes to paint, metal types, or installation issues?
At RoofSmart, we’ve installed over 100 metal roofs each year in the Seattle area and a common surprise we see is that homeowners assume their roof is fully covered, when in reality, most warranties are limited, especially in coastal or rainy climates like ours.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The two main types of metal roof warranties
- What paint warranties really cover (and what they don’t)
- How your choice of roofing contractor affects your protection
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to ask before signing a contract — and how to make sure your investment lasts.
What kinds of warranties are available for a metal roof?
When you invest in a metal roof, you’ll typically encounter two types of warranties:
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: Covers defects in the finish or coating (usually the paint, not the metal itself).
- Workmanship Warranty: Offered by the roofing contractor, this protects you if your roof has problems due to improper installation.
In this article, we’re focusing on manufacturers’ warranties, which are tied to the paint and finish. Workmanship warranties vary by contractor, so they’re a separate conversation—and just as important.
What will a manufacturer’s warranty actually cover on my metal roof?
Not all metal roofs have manufacturer’s warranties because no manufacturer provides a warranty for the metal itself. However, the metals that get painted (steel and aluminum) have warranties for the paint.
Standing seam metal is durable and lasts a long time, so the biggest liability to the material in this situation is that the paint might fail in some way. Because metal naturally lasts for a long time, the manufacturer provides no coverage for the metal itself.
The other metals—copper, zinc, and stainless steel—do not have manufacturer warranties. As raw metal, they just come as they are.
The warranty you get for your painted metal panels is typically from the paint manufacturer (for example, Sherwin-Williams, PPG, or Steelscape).
And if you get a coating to protect your metal panels (like an SMP or a PVDF) it will have the same kind of manufacturer’s warranty. This coating goes on after the paint and helps prevent the metal from rusting or being damaged by UV rays.
In an area like Seattle that is constantly wet and rainy (and has some coastal areas), rusting is a big risk on metal roofs. It’s crucial that you choose a metal that is either naturally rust-resistant or has strong protective coatings.
What problems are actually covered under a metal roof paint warranty?
These warranties include coverage for premature issues, such as:
- Chipping or cracking- Even if the paint fades, it should remain smooth. You might notice minor chipping near the end of the roof’s life due to normal wear and tear, but it should not be happening early in your roof’s life.
- Fading- This does not mean the paint won’t fade at all—it’s just not supposed to fade too fast. Fading in the paint is measured in Delta E units, which are used to calculate the balance of different hues and shades in color. This is what manufacturers use to determine how much the paint has faded. Make sure that you carefully read the warranty to know where your roof’s paint color falls on this scale and how far it can vary from this number until it qualifies to be covered by the warranty.
- Chalking- It is possible that the paint on your roof will react to the sun breaking down the resin in the paint. This phenomenon is called chalking. To identify this on your roof, look for a white residue on top of the paint layer. At first, it might look like the paint is fading, but if you touch the residue it will come off on your hand.
- Peeling- The paint is meant to stay on the metal surface. If you notice that it is peeling off, then the material might be defective.
Note: Some warranties might also cover wind damage (only up to certain wind speeds), but this depends on the manufacturer.
If you notice any of these issues, they will provide you with new metal to replace the defective panels (for a certain period of time). It will be up to you to hire a roofing contractor to install the new metal.
Some manufacturers have more inclusive warranties that cover labor and provide materials for a longer amount of time, but this is not typical.
In the Seattle area, labor costs are high due to the high cost of living. So, if you need to have your metal roof replaced, be prepared to spend $1,000 to $2,000 out of pocket on labor for repairs.
These warranties are typically good for anywhere between 30 to 50 years.
The level of coverage that you get depends on the manufacturer that you choose. They all vary to a certain degree.
What voids a metal roof warranty?
It’s important to know what is excluded from your warranty so that you are not unexpectedly hit with repair or replacement costs down the road.
Here are examples of common causes or instances of damage that are not covered in the warranty:
- Normal wear and tear
- Severe storms
- Impact from items (like a falling tree branch)
- Being close to the ocean
- Improper installation (this would be covered in a workmanship warranty)
For most metal roof suppliers, the labor to replace defective metal is typically not covered either. The only cover replacement material. The exception to this is Kassel & Irons, which has the strongest metal roof warranty in the business.
If you have a home in the Puget Sound area and you want to add a metal roof, you’re at risk of voiding your warranty. Make sure you talk to your roofing contractor about your options for coverage.
The Greater Seattle area also gets a fair amount of windstorms that knock over trees and send branches flying, meaning that your roof warranty could be voided by impact damage. The good news is that this is typically covered by homeowner’s insurance.
This system makes metal roofs a higher-risk choice if you want warranty protection because you have little to no coverage from the manufacturer in case something happens.
However, it is also a high reward because metal is typically a highly durable, long-lasting material, and it’s rare to have defects. That means that your choice of installer is critical to a successful outcome for your metal roof.
How do you find a roofing contractor that offers a strong workmanship warranty for my metal roof?
While metal roofs offer durability and long-term value, navigating the warranty options can be complex.
Manufacturer warranties primarily cover the paint on your metal roof against issues like chipping, fading, and chalking. It’s also crucial to understand what isn’t covered, such as the metal itself, severe weather events, or improper installation.
Before making a decision, ensure you read the warranty details carefully, so you’re fully aware of what’s included, how long the coverage lasts, and what conditions could void the warranty.
Not every roofer knows how to do metal roofing. It takes training and practice to learn how to do it right. So, since there isn’t great warranty coverage, finding a roofing contractor that you can trust to do the job right the first time and provide a solid workmanship warranty to fall back on is important.
If you’re interested in learning how to find a roofing contractor who knows what they’re doing, your next step is to read our article “How Do I Know If A Roofing Contractor is Qualified?” which teaches you how to research a roofing contractor and assess their qualifications.
Want to make the evaluation process easier? Download our Qualified Roofer Checklist to use as a guide for asking your roofer all of the right questions before you sign a contract.
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