Warranties are often misunderstood – especially when it comes to commercial roofs. Many property owners and landlords assume their warranty will cover any issue that comes up. But the truth is, there are many factors that determine whether something is covered or not. From ongoing maintenance to timely reporting of leaks, a large amount of responsibility falls on the property owner to ensure their warranty coverage remains valid throughout the years.
To prevent surprises, it’s helpful to know what commercial roof warranty coverage actually includes — and what it doesn’t. These details matter, as compliance could spell the difference between a covered repair and an out-of-pocket expense. Today we’ll talk about the different types of warranties, what’s covered under them, and what’s not. Next week, we’ll delve into the property owner/landlord perspective, outlining their responsibilities in maintaining roof integrity and best practices for protecting their commercial roof warranty coverage.
Understanding Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage
There are two main types of commercial roof warranties: contractor’s workmanship and manufacturer. While both are important, they each have key differences.
1. Contractor’s Workmanship Warranty
Provided by the roofing contractor who installs the roof system, the workmanship warranty typically covers installation-related issues or errors. They’re shorter in duration than manufacturer warranties, and include a standard two-year warranty on industrial/commercial roofing workmanship as dictated by OIRCA (Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association) guidelines. Elite Roofing is a member of the OIRCA and must adhere to the two-year restriction; however, contractors that are not members can offer varying degrees of warranty terms on their own. OIRCA members also use the standard form of warranty issued by the OIRCA and register the warranty with the OIRCA.
Applying only to the original installer’s work, the workmanship warranty is generally designed to cover early-stage issues rather than long-term performance. That being said, most workmanship related issues present themselves early on in the life of the roof.
2. Manufacturer’s Warranty
Provided by the manufacturer of the roofing material, this type of warranty involves the performance of the roofing system itself. It’s purchased separately from the installation contract and covers roofing materials and/or system performance. Common coverage terms include 5, 10, 15, or 20 years.
There are two types of manufacturer warranties:
Material and labour only
If a portion of the roof fails, the warranty will cover the material and related labour costs needed to fix it. Certain things might not be covered under this warranty, such as disposal of the old roofing materials and sheet metal costs. It will also not cover workmanship problems but only material defects. This is why it’s important to read your warranty agreements carefully.
Full system warranty (labour, material, and workmanship)
This type of warranty protects the entire roofing system, not just individual materials. To be valid, the roof must be installed by one of the manufacturer’s approved or certified contractors, and they must follow the manufacturer’s specifications. Viewing the roof as a complete, manufacturer-approved system, the full system warranty covers labour, materials, and eligible workmanship-related issues.
Within manufacturer warranties, there are two common structures: the OIC (Original Installed Cost) and the NDL (No Dollar Limit). The OIC is limited to the original installation value, while the NDL covers full repair costs with no cap.
The distinction between manufacturer and workmanship warranties is important. One focuses on how the roof was installed, while the other focuses on how the roofing system performs over time. Both require proper maintenance and compliance to remain valid.
What Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage Does and Does NOT Include
While commercial roof warranty coverage is in place to address specific issues related to the roofing system, it’s not designed to cover every type of loss or damage that may occur as a result of a roof failure.
Typically Included in Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage
- Repair of defective roofing materials
- Labour for covered repairs (depending on warranty type)
- Manufacturer-backed system performance under approved conditions
Typically Not Included in Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage
Consequential damages include indirect losses caused by a roof failure, such as water damage to interior ceilings, walls, furniture, flooring, drywall, inventory, or machinery. Other secondary damages typically not covered include:
- Business interruption or lost revenue
- Temporary protection measures (tarping, moving inventory, emergency containment)
FAQs: Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage
Q: What is included in commercial roof warranty coverage?
A: Materials, and sometimes labour/workmanship depending on the warranty type.
Q: How long does commercial roof warranty coverage last?
A: Coverage typically lasts for two years for workmanship warranties, and five to 20 years for manufacturer warranties.
Q: Does commercial roof warranty coverage include interior damage?
A: No, consequential or secondary damages are typically excluded, and those range from interior water damage to protection measures.
Q: How are manufacturer and workmanship warranties different?
A: One focuses on how the roof was installed, while the other focuses on how the roofing system performs over time.
How Commercial Roof Warranty Coverage Really Works
Commercial roof warranty coverage only works as intended when its terms are clearly understood. While workmanship and manufacturer warranties each serve a different purpose, they both rely on proper installation, maintenance, inspections, and timely reporting in order to remain valid.
The key to avoiding costly surprises is to understand what’s involved in commercial roof warranty coverage, and this puts a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of property owners and landlords themselves. Next week, we’ll explore what property managers must do to keep their coverage protected over time, and the missed details that could make the difference between a valid warranty claim and uncovered repair costs.
The Elite Advantage
At Elite Roofing, we take the time to help property owners in the Greater Toronto Area make sense of their commercial roof warranty coverage from the start. We’d be happy to go over what your warranty includes, its requirements, and how you can remain in compliance over the years. Our job doesn’t end after we install your roof. We take it one step further by helping you understand the documentation and all the responsibilities that come with it. That’s the Elite Advantage!
Contact Elite Roofing Today
Do you have questions about your commercial roof warranty coverage or want help reviewing your current documents? We can walk you through the details so you can move forward with confidence. Schedule a consultation today.
