Learn what roofing warranties actually cover in Asheville, NC. Discover the critical differences between manufacturer and workmanship warranties and how they protect your investment.
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Understanding Roofing Warranties in Asheville: Manufacturer vs. Workmanship Coverage

When investing in a new roof for your Asheville home, understanding your warranty protection is just as important as selecting quality materials. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that most roofing systems come with two distinct types of warranties that protect different aspects of your investment. At Lane Roofing and Restoration, we believe an informed homeowner makes better roofing decisions. Let’s break down the critical differences between manufacturer and workmanship warranties and why both matter for your Western North Carolina home.

Manufacturer Warranties: Protecting Your Roofing Materials

A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the actual roofing materials themselves. These warranties are provided by the companies that produce the shingles, underlayment, flashing, and other roofing components.

In Asheville’s variable mountain climate—where homes face everything from summer heat to winter snow—having strong manufacturer coverage is essential. Most quality shingle manufacturers offer warranties ranging from 20 to 50 years, with premium products often featuring “lifetime” coverage for the original homeowner.

What’s typically covered under manufacturer warranties:

Standard Manufacturing Defects

If your shingles crack, curl, or deteriorate prematurely due to manufacturing flaws rather than normal weathering, the manufacturer will generally provide replacement materials. For Asheville homes, this is crucial protection against unexpected material failure during our sometimes harsh mountain weather conditions.

Algae and Stain Resistance

Many manufacturers now include specific coverage against algae discoloration. In Western North Carolina’s humid environment, this protection helps maintain your home’s curb appeal without unsightly roof staining.

Wind Resistance

Quality shingles come with wind ratings that indicate how much wind they can withstand—usually between 60-130 mph. Your warranty will specify this coverage, which is particularly important for homes in Asheville’s higher elevations where strong wind gusts occur.

Workmanship Warranties: Protection Against Installation Errors

While manufacturer warranties cover the materials, workmanship warranties cover the actual installation of your roof. This is where choosing a quality local Asheville roofing contractor becomes crucial.

At Lane Roofing, we stand behind our work with a 10-year workmanship warranty on all installations. This means if problems arise due to improper installation techniques, we’ll make it right at no cost to you.

What Workmanship Warranties Typically Cover

Workmanship warranties protect against installation-related issues such as improper nailing, incorrect flashing installation, inadequate ventilation setup, or improper shingle placement. These errors might not be apparent immediately but can lead to leaks, premature shingle failure, or other problems down the road.

For Asheville homeowners, proper installation is especially important given our region’s freeze-thaw cycles, heavy rains, and occasional snow loads. Even the best materials will fail if they’re not installed correctly for our local climate conditions.

The Gap Many Homeowners Don’t Know About

Here’s something many Asheville homeowners don’t realize: manufacturer warranties often become void if installation errors contributed to the roof’s failure. This creates a potential coverage gap that makes your contractor’s workmanship warranty extremely valuable.

For example, if your roof leaks because the installer used too few nails per shingle (a common mistake with inexperienced roofers), the manufacturer likely won’t cover the resulting damage—but a solid workmanship warranty will.

Questions to Ask About Your Roofing Warranty

Before hiring any Asheville roofing contractor, get clear answers to these warranty questions:

Is the Warranty Prorated or Non-Prorated?

Non-prorated warranties provide full replacement value throughout the warranty period, while prorated warranties reduce coverage over time. Always understand which type you’re getting.

What Voids Your Warranty?

Both manufacturer and workmanship warranties typically have conditions that can void coverage. These might include improper attic ventilation, installing new shingles over old ones, or hiring non-certified installers for repairs.

Is the Warranty Transferable?

If you sell your Asheville home, can the warranty transfer to new owners? Transferable warranties can add value to your property and give buyers additional peace of mind.