Workmanship Warranty vs. Manufacturer’s Warranty: What’s the Difference For My Roof?

Are you worried that your roof might start leaking in the Seattle rain, only to find out the warranty doesn’t cover the repairs? Do roofing warranties leave you feeling confused about what’s actually covered, who’s responsible, and what happens if things go wrong?

At RoofSmart, we install hundreds of roofs every year. With each customer, we explain how their warranty coverage works through us and through the manufacturer they choose. We make sure to answer any questions they have and we encourage everyone to read each warranty carefully. 

In this article, we’ll clearly break down the difference between a workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty, explain what each one covers (and excludes), and help you understand which type of protection you need for your Seattle roof.

You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of which warranty covers what, how to avoid gaps in your protection, and what to look for in a warranty if you’re installing a new roof in the rainy Seattle climate.

What is a roof workmanship warranty?

A workmanship warranty for your roof protects you in case there was some sort of installation mistake that caused damage to your roof. 

Installation errors can happen due to negligence or incompetence. In a wet, rainy area like Seattle, an improperly installed roof gives you problems like leaks, mold, rotting wood, and water damage in and around the roof. These warranties are given out by roofing contractors, although sometimes they are also included in your manufacturer’s warranty.

What does a workmanship warranty typically cover?

Workmanship warranties cover workmanship errors, which can include a wide variety of issues. There are countless ways that your roofer can mess up while installing your shingles. 

Instead of making a list, the workmanship warranty will usually make a general statement about what’s covered. 

No matter what the issue is on your roof, it’s important to understand how much coverage you’re getting. Typically, workmanship warranties will cover the price of labor to repair the roof. Really good workmanship warranties also cover the material costs to repair the roof issue. 

What does a workmanship warranty typically exclude?

You should also consider what they’re including under labor (if that’s part of your coverage). Is the tear-off and disposal part of the warranty? This might be excluded. 

A workmanship warranty does not cover damaged items if they were installed properly and the damage cannot be traced back to an installation error somewhere else on the roof. If you got a faulty part, you’ll have to take that up with the manufacturer. 

Similarly, if your house is hit by hail or a wind storm, that’s not workmanship (it’s actually an insurance claim). This warranty just covers mistakes. It’s the one you need the most, because almost ALL roof failures are due to negligence or incompetence.

Keep in mind that warranties offer coverage for a certain amount of time, and then the coverage is prorated. Proration isn’t as common in workmanship warranties, but it can affect how much coverage you get if it’s included in your warranty.

What is a roof manufacturer’s warranty?

A manufacturer’s warranty for roofing is provided by the shingle manufacturer and covers expenses for replacing defective shingles (or other roof parts). 

Manufacturer’s warranties are meant to protect you if you get sent faulty or defective materials. For example, a defective shingle might shed 80% or more of its granules in just 1 or 2 years (it shouldn’t lose that many granules for at least 15 years).

Different roofing materials have varying levels of coverage. This article will focus on asphalt shingle warranties because they are the most common. For the most part, other materials (like metal) have less coverage, but workmanship matters all the more... 

What does a manufacturer’s warranty typically cover?

For basic warranties, you’ll typically only get coverage for the cost of new shingles. Premium warranties will cover material costs and the labor to install new shingles. 

Premium warranties sometimes also offer you coverage for workmanship errors. 

To help you understand the coverage differences between basic and premium warranties, here’s a comparison chart that will give you a quick overview: 

What does a manufacturer’s warranty typically exclude?

Lower-level warranties typically don’t include the cost of tearing off and disposing of the defective shingles. 

It usually also excludes coverage for additional items that might need to be replaced on the roof, such as: 

• Flashing
• Pipe boots
• Vents,
• Anything else not made by the shingle manufacturer

Make sure to a) have a trusted roofer to guide you or b) carefully read the warranty to see what kind of coverage you’re getting. Each manufacturer has multiple levels of warranty coverage. The lower you go, the more the warranty will be excluded from coverage. 

Manufacturers also have a list of requirements you have to meet to qualify for warranty coverage. For example, you need to make sure that your attic ventilation is updated to current code requirements and install the correct type of roof decking. 

Make sure you read the warranty carefully before or during installation and talk about it with your roofing contractor to ensure that your roof warranty doesn’t get voided. 

How is roof coverage in a workmanship warranty different from a manufacturer’s warranty?

To help you quickly compare the differences in coverage between workmanship and manufacturer’s warranties for your Seattle roof, here’s a comparison table: 

Do I need a warranty for my Seattle roof?

You are not required to get a roof warranty, but it’s probably a good idea to get one just in case. Unfortunately, installation errors are somewhat common in the Seattle area.

We get called in to repair or replace a lot of roofs that have issues because they were installed incorrectly by another roofer because they're either out of business now or unable to figure out the mistake. We have many testimonials and reviews from local homeowners who are grateful we saved the day for them. 

In Seattle, installation errors almost always mean leaks, which are expensive to fix because they can cause a fair amount of damage before you even notice a leak. Wouldn’t you rather have a warranty that protects you from having to pay for that damage? 

Manufacturing defects aren’t as common, but they can still happen. It can be nice to have a warranty in place just in case you happen to be the unlucky person who gets the defective materials. 

Otherwise, you’re on the hook for paying to replace everything, or you can leave it on and risk damaging your roof further. Either way, it’s going to be expensive. 

Which manufacturer’s warranty is right for me?

Now that you know the difference between a workmanship warranty and a manufacturer’s warranty, you clearly understand what’s actually covered (and what’s not) on your roof.

But knowing the types of warranties isn’t the same as knowing which specific warranty package offers the best value for your roof.

Your next step is to compare the different levels of warranty coverage you’ll get from top manufacturers. Click the links below to read our articles breaking down the real differences between each manufacturer’s warranty options, including coverage tiers, proration timelines, and what's included at each level: 

• GAF
• CertainTeed
• Owens Corning

At RoofSmart, we’ve helped hundreds of Seattle homeowners choose roofing systems and warranties that protect their homes—not just for today, but for decades to come. If you want peace of mind and zero guesswork, these are the guides you don’t want to skip.