Commercial Roofing Warranties

What they cover, what they don’t, and what makes them enforceable

Commercial roofing warranties are often misunderstood. A warranty can sound strong on paper, but the real question is enforceability: what is covered, under what conditions, and whether the parties responsible can be reached over time.

A useful warranty is not just a number of years. It is a combination of scope, documentation, maintenance requirements, and accountability.

Manufacturer Warranty vs. Workmanship Warranty

Commercial roofing warranties generally fall into two distinct categories. Understanding the difference is essential because each is enforced differently and carries different risks.

Manufacturer Warranty

A manufacturer’s warranty covers defects in roofing materials, not the quality of installation.

Typical characteristics:

• Issued by the roofing material manufacturer
• Covers premature material failure under defined conditions
• Often requires installation by an approved or certified contractor
• May require documented inspections or maintenance to remain valid
• Does not cover installation errors, design issues, or building movement

Important clarification:

A manufacturer’s warranty does not guarantee that a roof was installed correctly. It only addresses whether the materials themselves performed as specified.

In many cases, a manufacturer’s warranty is conditional. If installation, maintenance, or inspection requirements are not met, coverage may be limited or voided.

Workmanship Warranty

A workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation.

Typical characteristics:

• Issued and enforced by the contractor
• Covers leaks or failures caused by installation errors
• Duration varies by contractor and roof system
• Enforcement depends entirely on the contractor’s continued operation

Critical reality:

A workmanship warranty has no practical value if the contractor is no longer in business.

Unlike manufacturer warranties, workmanship warranties cannot be transferred to a third party for enforcement. Their value is directly tied to the contractor’s permanence, documentation practices, and service infrastructure.

How the Two Work Together

In many commercial roofing projects:

• The manufacturer’s warranty addresses material integrity
• The workmanship warranty addresses installation quality

Both may exist simultaneously, but they are not interchangeable. One does not replace the other, and gaps in either can leave building owners exposed.

Why This Distinction Matters

Confusion between these two warranty types is common and often leads to unmet expectations.

Key points to remember:

• Warranty length alone does not indicate protection
• Enforcement matters more than duration
• Documentation, maintenance, and contractor continuity are critical

Understanding which warranty applies to which issue helps decision-makers evaluate real risk—not just marketing claims.

Warranty length is not the same as warranty enforceability

A long warranty term does not automatically mean long-term protection.

What determines enforceability in practice:

• Whether the warranty is clearly written (scope + exclusions)
• Whether the required maintenance and documentation were followed
• Whether the responsible party can be reached years later
• Whether the roof system and building conditions match the warranty terms

This is why commercial decision-makers should evaluate warranties the same way they evaluate other long-term service obligations: by process and accountability, not by marketing language.

Maintenance requirements and documentation (where warranties often fail)

Many commercial warranties assume ongoing maintenance. Even when the roof system is well-built, coverage can be limited if basic requirements are not met.

Common warranty conditions include:

• Scheduled inspections (often annual or semi-annual)
• Drainage and debris management
• Timely repair of minor damage
• No unapproved penetrations or modifications
• Documentation (photos, inspection reports, service records)

A simple rule:

If maintenance is required but not documented, warranty coverage can become difficult to enforce.

What to request before relying on any warranty

Before signing—or before assuming coverage exists—request these items in writing:

1. The actual warranty document (not a summary)
2. Scope of coverage (what is covered, specifically)
3. Exclusions (what is not covered)
4. Maintenance requirements (what must be done, and how often)
5. Documentation expectations (what records must be kept)
6. Claim process (who to contact, what evidence is required)
7. Responsibility split
   • What the manufacturer covers
   • What the contractor covers

This is not about distrust. It is basic commercial due diligence.

How does this fit into contractor verification?

Warranty terms are one part of a broader verification process. Even a well-written warranty is only as reliable as the underlying signals supporting it, including:

• Licensing status
• Continuity of operations
• Documentation practices
• Evidence of commercial project experience
• Clarity of address and reachability

For a neutral verification framework, see: Commercial Roofing Verification.

How HP Roofing Pro structures warranties

HP Roofing Pro offers leak-free warranties ranging from 15 to 25 years, depending on the roofing system selected and the documented requirements associated with that system.

These warranties are structured around:

• System-specific installation standards
• Clear scope and defined conditions
• Documentation and inspection expectations
• Long-term service continuity

Warranty duration reflects the roof system design and installation methodology. It is not a blanket guarantee for every condition or scenario.

Disclaimers

Warranty terms vary by roof system, manufacturer requirements, building conditions, and maintenance history. This page is informational and does not replace written warranty documents or project-specific agreements.

For project-specific warranty terms, refer to the warranty documentation provided at installation.