A roof warranty is a written guarantee that covers defects or failures in either the roofing materials or the installation workmanship. Every new roof comes with two separate warranties — a manufacturer warranty on the materials and a workmanship warranty from the installing contractor. These cover different things, have different durations, and have specific conditions that must be met for them to remain valid.
Manufacturer Warranty: What It Covers
The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing material itself — premature granule loss, cracking, splitting, or delamination caused by a flaw in the product rather than installation or weather events. Standard manufacturer warranties for architectural asphalt shingles run 30 years for the shingles and 5 to 10 years for other components such as underlayment and ridge cap. Premium warranty tiers — available only through certified contractor programs — extend coverage to 50 years and include wind and algae coverage.
Malarkey’s Emerald Pro warranty and Atlas’s PRO Plus warranty are examples of extended manufacturer warranties available only when materials are installed by a certified contractor. Nations Best Roofing holds both certifications. Homeowners who use a non-certified contractor to install Malarkey or Atlas products receive the standard warranty only — the extended tier is not available to them regardless of the product purchased.
Workmanship Warranty: What It Covers
The workmanship warranty is provided by the installing contractor and covers failures caused by installation error — improper nailing patterns, incorrect flashing installation, inadequate underlayment overlap, or other mistakes that cause leaks or premature failure. Workmanship warranties typically run 2 to 10 years depending on the contractor. Nations Best Roofing provides a workmanship warranty on all installations.
This is the warranty most likely to be relevant in the first few years after a new roof. Manufacturing defects are rare. Installation errors — a missed flashing joint, insufficient nailing in a high-wind zone — are the more common cause of early roof failure. A contractor who offers no workmanship warranty or a very short one is a risk indicator.
What Voids a Roof Warranty in Oklahoma?
Manufacturer warranties are voided by installation by a non-certified contractor for premium tiers, by modifications to the roof system not approved by the manufacturer, by installation over an existing roof layer in some cases, and by damage caused by storm events or other external forces not related to the material. Workmanship warranties are typically voided by modifications made by a third party after the original installation.
Does My Insurance Claim Affect My Warranty?
No. Filing an insurance claim for storm damage does not void your roof warranty. The warranty covers manufacturing defects and workmanship errors — these are separate from weather-related damage covered by insurance. After a storm replacement, a new warranty begins from the date of the replacement installation.
What to Ask Your Contractor About Warranty Before Signing
Ask for the warranty in writing before work begins. Confirm the manufacturer warranty tier — standard or extended — and what certification level the contractor holds. Confirm the workmanship warranty duration and what it specifically covers. Ask whether the warranty is transferable if you sell the home — many manufacturer warranties are transferable with a small fee, which adds value at resale.
Nations Best Roofing is a Malarkey Emerald Pro and Atlas PRO certified contractor — both qualifications unlock the highest warranty tiers available. To learn more about which materials are best for your Oklahoma home visit our knowledge centre at our website.
For a free roof inspection and to discuss warranty options for your specific situation call (918) 370-0909 or visit our website.
Malarkey Roofing Products provides full details of their warranty tiers and certified contractor program at malarkeyroofing.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a typical roof warranty in Oklahoma?
Standard manufacturer warranties on architectural asphalt shingles run 30 years. Extended warranties through certified contractor programs run 40 to 50 years. Workmanship warranties from reputable contractors run 2 to 10 years. The combination of an extended manufacturer warranty and a solid workmanship warranty provides the most complete protection.
Is a lifetime roof warranty really lifetime?
Lifetime warranties in roofing are defined by the manufacturer and typically mean the lifetime of the original structure, subject to terms and conditions. Most lifetime warranties are prorated — coverage decreases as the roof ages. Read the warranty document rather than relying on the label.
Does a roof warranty cover hail damage?
Standard manufacturer warranties do not cover hail damage — that is a weather event covered by homeowners insurance. Some premium warranty tiers include enhanced hail or impact damage coverage as part of the warranty terms. Ask your contractor specifically about weather-related coverage in the warranty they are offering.
Is my roof warranty transferable if I sell my house?
Many manufacturer warranties are transferable to a subsequent homeowner for a fee, typically $75 to $150. This is a selling point at resale. Workmanship warranties vary — some contractors transfer them, some do not. Confirm transferability in writing before installation.
What happens if my contractor goes out of business?
If your installing contractor ceases operation, the workmanship warranty becomes unenforceable. The manufacturer warranty remains valid regardless of the contractor’s status. This is one of the key reasons to use a long-established local contractor — a company that has been in Tulsa since 2003 is less likely to disappear than a storm-chaser contractor.
