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Why a Manufacturer-Backed Roofing Warranty Is the Smartest Choice
When it comes to protecting your home, not all roofing warranties are created or serviced equally. Most roofing warranties are backed only by the contractor who installed your roof. That might sound fine at first, until that contractor goes out of business, changes ownership, alters their legal name, or simply refuses to live up to what the warranty promised. These deceptive wholesale warranty gimmicks have become all too common in recent years. Another problem one might encounter when dealing with roofing warranties, is actually finding out what is and what is not covered. There are a ton of component costs that most people may not be aware of when shopping for a new roof. Some examples that people may not consider are tear off and disposal costs. These are important variables that should be openly addressed in a roofs warranty.
Another warranty condition that is often overlooked is how that warranty addresses misapplication. This is especially important if the warranty is backed by the manufacturer of the shingle rather than the contractor. These are all questions that should be pursued when shopping a new roof, so you don’t end up with a lemon of a warranty. Unfortunately, in the roofing industry there are a lot of pyramid roofing schemes, that is why here at Custom Home Improvements we try to provide transparent and honest information so our neighbors in the Hampton Roads and Richmond area don’t fall victim to any schemes or gimmicks.
Custom Home Improvements is proud to be partnered up with a company like GAF who offers one of the best roofing warranties as well as some of the best warranty service across the entire industry. GAF offers two types of warranties, a limited warranty and a 3-tiered enhanced warranty. All GAF shingles that are installed with 3 accessories automatically come with a 10-year limited warranty. This limited warranty is the most basic that GAF offers and it includes product defect, labor installation costs, and materials. Labor costs are only covered for a limited time. After 10 years, the cost of the labor installation is no longer covered. At this 10-year mark, the percentage of overall material coverage also starts steadily decline as the product ages. The GAF limited warranty does not include coverage for workmanship misapplication, tear off, or disposal. Any homeowner can receive this warranty whenever they buy a GAF product no matter the installer.
If a homeowner is shopping for longer and greater overall warranty coverage for their roof, one of GAF’s enhanced warranties may be a better option. Unlike with a GAF Limited warranty, a customer CANNOT buy an enhanced GAF warranty from any contractor. Only GAF Master Elite certified installers, like Custom Home Improvements, are licensed to offer these warranties to homeowners on behalf of GAF. This certification is not handed out to everyone, GAF is the largest shingle manufacturer across North America, while only 3% of roofers nationwide have passed the tests and achieved the requirements to acquire a Master Elite certification with GAF. Master Elite certified roofers are installers who are held to a premier roofing standard while also holding the knowledge and expertise to install not just some shingles but a whole roofing system. This means if you hire a roofer who holds this Master Elite certification to install your roof, you will get the opportunity to have the roof over your home warrantied by a manufacturer who has been in business for over 120 years.
GAF offers three levels of roofing warranty protection, each designed to fit different homeowner needs. The System Plus® Limited Warranty is the first tier of the three enhanced warranty systems. The System Plus® Limited Warranty provides coverage for tear off, labor, and material costs but does not include workmanship misapplication. The GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty is considered the mid-tier of the three enhanced warranties. The GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty covers the same components that the System Plus® Limited Warranty plus 10 years of workmanship protection. This workmanship protection would cover certain installation errors. The top enhanced warranty option would be the Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty. The Golden Pledge® Limited Warranty includes lifetime shingle coverage, 25 years of workmanship coverage, algae and wind protection, and tear-off/disposal coverage, all backed directly by GAF. The higher the warranty tier, the more complete your protection, which is why most homeowners looking for maximum peace of mind choose the Golden Pledge® Warranty.
Although these options are labeled as warranties, it is more accurate to think of these as different roofing systems. GAF does not a insure a roof for longer just because a homeowner pays more money. Each warranty requires a certain amount of roofing accessories to be installed with the roof. This is to ensure that the roof is built to withstand the challenges that typically cause problems over time. Because GAF has been in business for over a century, they have found that the same areas of the roof tend to fail time and time again. That is why GAF created accessories designed to prevent leaks, improve ventilation, and reinforce vulnerable sections. These accessories have been stress-tested under extreme weather conditions and proven to extend roof performance. Requiring their installation ensures that the roofing system functions as an integrated whole, significantly reducing the probability of premature failure. In this way, the extended warranty reflects GAF’s confidence in an accessory designed roofing system that will last for decades. By including these accessories, homeowners aren’t just qualifying for a stronger warranty—they’re investing in peace of mind and long-term protection against the most common roofing issues. For more about the accessories that we offer please head over to our accessory info tab
GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty
Qualifying Factors for a GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty
The GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty is the top tier warranty out of GAF’s enhanced warranties collection. The GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty offers strong protection for both materials and workmanship. To qualify, your roof must be installed by a GAF Master Elite® certified contractor, which ensures the highest level of training, skill, and installation standards. A full tear off of the roof down to the decking wood is also required when the roofing system is installed.
· GAF Starter Strip Shingles – Improves wind resistance and shingle adhesion.
· Cobra® Ridge Ventilation Products – Provides attic ventilation to reduce heat and moisture buildup.
· GAF Underlayment (Deck Armor® or Tiger Paw®) – Creates a protective moisture barrier.
· Leak Barrier Underlayment – Required to be installed along all leak-prone areas like, valleys, eaves, around dormers, sidewalls, firewalls, chimneys, vents, and skylights.
· GAF Ridge Cap Shingles – Protects and finishes the roof’s peaks.
· Drip Edge
What’s Covered and for How Long?
1. Lifetime Shingle Coverage
o Your shingles are covered for as long as you own your home.
o Non-prorated coverage for the first 50 years, meaning GAF will cover the full cost of replacing your asphalt shingles during that period.
2. 25-Year Workmanship Coverage
o Workmanship coverage covers installation errors associated with installing a roof including, improper nailing, flashing mistakes, and ventilation issues, for 25 years.
o This workmanship coverage period can be extended to 30 years if GAF UHDZ shingles are installed.
3. Algae Protection
o 15 years of StainGuard Plus™ algae protection to prevent those blue, green, or black streaks appearing across your roof.
4. Wind Coverage
o Protects against winds up to 130 mph (or unlimited wind speed if you use certain qualifying GAF shingles and accessories).
5. Tear-Off & Disposal Costs
o If your roof needs to be replaced under warranty, GAF covers the removal and disposal of old materials — not just the new shingles.
6. Transferable Coverage
o Can be transferred once to a new homeowner within the first 20 years, adding resale value to your home.
GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty
Qualifying Factors for a GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty
The GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty is a mid-tier roofing warranty that offers strong protection for both materials and workmanship. To qualify, your roof must be installed by a GAF Master Elite® certified contractor, which ensures the highest level of training, skill, and installation standards.
Like the Golden Pledge®, the Silver Pledge also requires a full tear-off of your old shingles and underlayment. Where the two warranties differ is in the installation process. The GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty requires the roofing system to include at least THREE qualifying GAF accessory components from the list below.
· GAF Starter Strip Shingles – Improves wind resistance and shingle adhesion.
· Cobra® Ridge Ventilation Products – Provides attic ventilation to reduce heat and moisture buildup.
· GAF Underlayment (Deck Armor® or Tiger Paw®) – Creates a protective moisture barrier.
· Leak Barrier Underlayment – Required to be installed in valleys and along all penetrations.
· GAF Ridge Cap Shingles – Protects and finishes the roof’s peaks.
· Drip Edge
What’s Covered and for How Long?
1. Lifetime Shingle Coverage
o Manufacturing defects are covered for 50 years
o There is NO prorated period within this 50-year time frame
2. 10-Year Workmanship Coverage
o Covers certain workmanship installation errors for 10 years.
3. Wind Coverage
o Protection against winds up to 130 mph (or unlimited with qualifying products).
4. Tear-Off & Disposal Costs
o Included if roof replacement is required under warranty.
5. Transferable Coverage
o Can be transferred once within the first 20 years.
GAF System Plus® Warranty
Qualifying Factors for a GAF System Plus® Warranty
The GAF System Plus® Warranty is the GAF’s value warranty, offering lifetime shingle protection with extended non-prorated coverage. To qualify, your roof must be installed by a GAF-certified contractor (not limited to Master Elite®), and it must include a complete GAF roofing system with at least ONE qualifying GAF accessory components, such as:
· GAF Starter Strip Shingles – Improves wind resistance and shingle adhesion.
· Cobra® Ridge Ventilation Products – Provides attic ventilation to reduce heat and moisture buildup.
· GAF Underlayment (Deck Armor® or Tiger Paw®) – Creates a protective moisture barrier.
· Leak Barrier Underlayment – Installed in leak-prone areas like valleys and eaves.
· GAF Ridge Cap Shingles – Protects and finishes the roof’s peaks.
· Drip Edge
What’s Covered and for How Long?
1. Lifetime Shingle Coverage
o Covered for as long as you own your home.
o Non-prorated for the first 50 years for manufacturing defects.
2. Workmanship Coverage
o No manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage — only the contractor’s own labor warranty.
3. Wind Coverage
o Standard wind protection per shingle specifications; no enhanced coverage.
4. Tear-Off Costs
o Covered if roof replacement is required due to a manufacturing defect.
5. Transferable Coverage
o Can be transferred once within the first 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions: GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty
1. What is the GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty? The Golden Pledge® Warranty is GAF’s highest level of roofing protection. It covers
both lifetime shingle defects and 25 years of workmanship errors, and it’s backed directly by GAF — not just the contractor.
2. How long does the Golden Pledge® Warranty last?
· Shingles: Lifetime coverage (non-prorated for the first 50 years)
· Workmanship: 25 years
· Algae protection: 15 years
· Wind coverage: Up to 130 mph (or unlimited with qualifying products)
3. Who can offer the Golden Pledge® Warranty? Only GAF Master Elite® Contractors can offer the Golden Pledge warranty.®.
4. Why is it important that the warranty is backed by GAF and not just the contractor? Because your coverage stays valid even if the contractor goes out of business. GAF will honor the warranty for the full term, giving you true long-term peace of mind.
5. What does the Golden Pledge® Warranty cover? It covers:
· Manufacturing defects in GAF shingles and accessories
· Installation errors for 25 years
· Tear-off and disposal costs if replacement is needed
· Algae growth and wind damage (within coverage limits)
6. Can I transfer the Golden Pledge® Warranty to a new homeowner? Yes. It can be transferred once within the first 20 years, making your home more appealing to potential buyers.
7. Does the Golden Pledge® Warranty cost extra? Yes, it’s an upgraded warranty.
7. How do I get the Golden Pledge® Warranty for my roof? Hire a certified GAF Master Elite® Contractor like Custom Home Improvements and install a complete GAF roofing system that meets warranty requirements.
GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty – FAQs
1. What does the GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty cover? The Silver Pledge® Warranty covers lifetime protection against manufacturing defects, 10 years of workmanship coverage backed by GAF, tear-off and disposal costs, and wind protection up to 130 mph.
2. How long does the GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty last? The shingle coverage lasts for as long as you own your home with 50 years of full non-prorated coverage. Workmanship coverage lasts 10 years, and tear-off/disposal is included during the warranty term.
3. How is the GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty different from System Plus®? Unlike System Plus®, the Silver Pledge® includes 10 years of manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage. It also requires at least three GAF accessory components to qualify.
4. What roofing components are required for the GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty? The Silver Pledge® requires at least three qualifying GAF accessories, such as starter strip shingles, ridge cap shingles, leak barrier underlayment, underlayment like Deck Armor® or Tiger Paw®, Cobra® ridge ventilation, or drip edge.
5. Can the GAF Silver Pledge® Warranty be transferred? Yes, the Silver Pledge® Warranty can be transferred once within the first 20 years of ownership, giving added resale value.
GAF System Plus® Warranty – FAQs
1. What does the GAF System Plus® Warranty cover? The GAF System Plus® Warranty covers lifetime protection against manufacturing defects in GAF shingles, plus tear-off costs if a replacement is needed. It includes 50 years of non-prorated coverage for materials but does not include manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage.
2. How long does the GAF System Plus® Warranty last? The warranty lasts for as long as you own your home, with 50 years of full non-prorated material defect coverage. After 50 years, prorated coverage continues.
3. Does the GAF System Plus® Warranty include workmanship coverage? No. Workmanship coverage under this warranty comes only from your contractor’s own labor warranty. For manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage, you would need to choose the Silver Pledge® or Golden Pledge® Warranty.
4. What roofing components are required for the System Plus® Warranty? The System Plus® Warranty requires at least one qualifying GAF accessory such as starter strip shingles, ridge cap shingles, leak barrier underlayment, Cobra® ventilation, or Deck Armor®/Tiger Paw® underlayment.
5. Is the GAF System Plus® Warranty transferable to a new homeowner? Yes. The warranty can be transferred once within the first 20 years of coverage, which can add resale value to your home.
Holistic Roofing Warranty FAQs
1. What is the difference between a manufacturer-backed roofing warranty and a contractor warranty? A manufacturer-backed warranty, like those from GAF, ensures that coverage remains valid even if the contractor goes out of business or refuses to honor it. Contractor warranties depend solely on the installer and may vanish if the company folds.
2. Do roofing warranties cover workmanship errors? Some do, and some don’t. Basic warranties like System Plus® do not cover workmanship. Mid- and high-tier warranties like Silver Pledge® and Golden Pledge® include manufacturer-backed workmanship protection, giving homeowners more peace of mind.
3. What roofing problems are most warranties designed to protect against? Manufacturer-backed roofing warranties are designed to protect against shingle defects, installation errors (in enhanced warranties), wind damage, algae growth, and premature roof failure. They often also cover tear-off and disposal costs.
4. Why do roofing warranties require accessories to qualify? Accessories are required because they protect the weak points of a roof where failures usually occur, such as valleys, ridges, and eaves. GAF has tested these components under extreme conditions and found they significantly improve performance and longevity.
5. Are roofing warranties transferable when selling a home? Yes. Most GAF warranties, including System Plus®, Silver Pledge®, and Golden Pledge®, can be transferred once within the first 20 years. This adds resale value and gives buyers peace of mind.
6. Which roofing warranty offers the best coverage? The GAF Golden Pledge® Warranty provides the most complete protection, including lifetime shingle coverage, 25–30 years of workmanship coverage, algae and wind protection, tear-off/disposal, and manufacturer-backed service.