UPDATED FOR 2026
Your Roof Warranty Might Be Worthless (And Your Contractor Knows It)
Welcome to County Roofing’s “Roofing Industry Bad Practices Uncovered”, a series designed to shine a light on practices within the roofing industry.
This series is designed to empower consumers by increasing awareness of unlawful or wrongful practices we’ve seen throughout our 35 years serving Long Island and the greater New York area with roofing services based on integrity and trust.
Key Takeaways:
- Standard warranties create a dangerous gap where manufacturers blame installation and contractors’ coverage expires early.
- Uncertified contractors void your warranty before installation even starts—you won’t find out until filing a claim years later.
- Enhanced warranties from GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed cover both materials and workmanship under one manufacturer-backed plan.
- You can only access enhanced warranties through elite-certified contractors who meet strict training requirements.
- NRCA training proves actual competency, not just manufacturer sales relationships.
Your new roof just cost you $15,000.
The salesperson promised a “lifetime warranty” that would protect your investment for decades.
But here’s what they didn’t tell you: when those shingles fail prematurely, the manufacturer might blame installation. And when installation meets every requirement, they might still deny your claim.
Most homeowners don’t realize their roof warranty only works if the manufacturer decides to honor it—and recent investigations suggest that’s not always guaranteed.
The Manufacturer Warranty Problem No One Talks About
GAF produces some of the highest quality roofing products in the country.
With that said, you can’t fully depend on any one manufacturer’s roofing products alone.
GAF architectural shingles are currently under investigation by Migliaccio & Rathod LLP for premature failures.
Homeowners across the country report shingle slippage, delamination, and early roof failure—sometimes just months after installation.
These are the same shingles marketed as “lifetime” products with enhanced durability.
What’s Actually Happening
The issues include:
- Adhesive strip failures. Factory-applied sealing strips fail to bond properly, causing shingles to slip and expose underlayment.
- Delamination. Shingles peel apart between layers, compromising the entire roof system.
- Premature deterioration. Roofs need full replacement within years of installation despite 25-50 year warranties.
Multiple homeowners in the same neighborhood report identical failures. Same manufacturer. Same product line. Same timeline.
The pattern suggests manufacturing issues, not installation problems.
How Manufacturers Deny Claims
Despite warranties ranging from 25 to 50 years, homeowners report systematic claim denials.
The manufacturer’s playbook is consistent:
They attribute failures to improper installation—even when the installer is manufacturer-certified and followed every specification.
They cite “external factors” like weather, debris, or foot traffic that supposedly caused the damage.
They require extensive documentation that many homeowners can’t provide years after installation.
They offer partial settlements that don’t cover the full cost of replacement.
The result? Homeowners pay twice for the same roof.
This Isn’t New
GAF previously reached a $200 million settlement in 2015 for Timberline shingles manufactured between 1998 and 2009 that were prone to premature cracking.
Internal company documents from that case revealed they knew about the defects but continued marketing the products as premium, long-lasting shingles.
More than 10,000 warranty claims were filed in just one year related to those failures.
The settlement offered replacement shingles or cash payments to affected homeowners—but only after years of denials and litigation.
And now we’re seeing similar patterns with newer products.
Owens Corning has faced similar class action lawsuits over shingle failures.
This isn’t about one bad batch or one manufacturing plant. It’s about how warranty systems function when billion-dollar corporations decide whether to honor their commitments.
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With nearly four decades serving homeowners under our belt, we know what’s needed to make your roofing project a success.
After completing your roof inspection, if repairs or updates are recommended, we’ll do everything we can to make affording your roof repair or replacement quick and easy.
When you work with County Roofing, you get only the best. As little as 0% interest on approval for 5 years, quick approval, easy pay, and all backed by the best guarantees in the industry.
Why Enhanced Warranties Matter (When They Actually Work)
Here’s the core problem with standard warranties:
Manufacturer warranties cover material defects but exclude labor costs. They provide replacement shingles—not the $10,000-$15,000 it costs to tear off your failed roof and install new materials.
Contractor warranties typically cover workmanship for 1-2 years, then expire.
When something fails five years after installation, both parties can point fingers. The manufacturer blames installation. The contractor points to material defects.
You’re stuck in the middle with a leaking roof and no coverage.
The Enhanced Warranty Solution
Enhanced warranties from GAF (Golden Pledge), Owens Corning (Platinum Protection), and CertainTeed (SureStart PLUS) combine material and labor coverage under one manufacturer-backed plan.
GAF Golden Pledge: 25 years of workmanship coverage plus materials.
Owens Corning Platinum Protection: Lifetime workmanship coverage (the only one in the industry) plus materials.
CertainTeed SureStart PLUS: 10 years of full system coverage including materials and labor.
The manufacturer becomes responsible for both the product and the installation quality.
But here’s the critical detail: enhanced warranties are only available through elite-certified contractors who meet strict training, insurance, and quality requirements.
The manufacturer is betting on the installer’s competency. They’ve verified training, checked insurance coverage, and reviewed customer satisfaction scores.
When failures happen, there’s less finger-pointing because the manufacturer already vouched for the installer’s work.
The Real Value: Manufacturer Accountability
Enhanced warranties shift risk back to manufacturers.
They can’t deny a claim by blaming installation if they certified the installer and backed the workmanship.
They can’t claim the contractor cut corners when they required that contractor to meet specific training standards.
The warranty covers both materials and labor, eliminating the gap where standard warranties fail.
You’re not fighting two separate entities when something goes wrong. You’re dealing with one warranty that covers the entire roof system.
But—and this is critical—the warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it.
Which brings us to what really matters.
What Actually Protects You: Finding A Company You Can Trust
Here’s what 35+ years in the roofing business teaches you:
Warranty paperwork matters less than the phone number you call when your roof leaks.
You don’t want lawyers and claims adjusters. You want someone who shows up, fixes the problem, and stands behind their work.
People with significant investments in their homes aren’t looking for the cheapest option or the longest warranty duration. They want someone they can trust when something goes wrong.
The Questions That Actually Matter
When you’re choosing a roofing contractor, forget the sales pitch about warranty length.
Ask these instead:
How long have you been in business? Companies that disappear after five years can’t honor 25-year warranties. County Roofing has been serving Long Island for 35+ years—we’ll be here when you need us.
What happens if something fails? Get specifics. Who do I call? How quickly do you respond? What’s your process for handling warranty claims?
Are you manufacturer-certified at the highest tier? Elite certifications (GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster) aren’t perfect, but they prove the manufacturer trusts the installer enough to back their work with enhanced warranties.
Do your installers have independent competency training? NRCA ProCertification requires hands-on skills assessment separate from manufacturer sales relationships. It proves your crew actually knows what they’re doing.
Can I talk to customers from 5+ years ago? Recent reviews show sales skills. Long-term customers show reliability.
The goal isn’t finding the perfect warranty. It’s finding a company that will still answer the phone in ten years.
How County Roofing Protects Your Investment
We’re not telling you warranties don’t matter.
We’re telling you they only matter if someone actually honors them when things go wrong.
County Roofing has spent 35+ years building relationships in Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, and NYC because we know you’re not just buying a roof—you’re buying peace of mind.
What We Bring To Every Project
Manufacturer certifications at the highest tier. We’re GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, and CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certified. That means we can offer you enhanced warranties that cover both materials and workmanship.
NRCA training for our installation teams. Our crews don’t just meet manufacturer sales requirements—they complete hands-on competency assessments through the National Roofing Contractors Association.
35+ years serving the same communities. We’re not a national chain or a storm-chasing operation. We’ve been here since 1989, and we’ll be here when you need us.
Direct manufacturer relationships. When warranty issues arise, we have established contacts at GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed who know our work and our standards.
Comprehensive insurance coverage. Trade-specific general liability and workers’ compensation with no exclusions. You’re protected if anything happens during your project.
But more important than any certification:
We show up.
When your roof leaks, when shingles fail, when you need repairs five years after installation—we answer the phone, send a crew, and make it right.
That’s what 35+ years in business actually means. It’s not about surviving in the market. It’s about building trust one roof at a time.
LIFETIME MATERIAL, LIFETIME WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY
Get Industry-Leading Protection
CertainTeed’s lifetime-limited transferable warranty is a true industry standout. Whereas other manufacturers only warrant against defects that cause leaks, CertainTeed protects your investment against all manufacturing defects, including aesthetic defects.
County Roofing Systems can offer you the longest warranties available because we’re a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster, a certification only 1% of contractors qualify for.
We have over 35 years of experience living up to CertainTeed’s tough standards. That means CertainTeed trusts our home improvement work enough to stand behind it with their best guarantees.
To learn more about the industry-leading LIFETIME material, LIFETIME workmanship warranty, click the button below to call us today:
Protect Yourself With A Contractor Who’ll Be There When It Matters
Warranty paperwork protects manufacturers more than homeowners.
Enhanced warranties close the gap—but only if the company issuing them still exists and honors their commitments.
What actually protects you is choosing a contractor with:
- Decades of proven reliability in your local market
- Elite manufacturer certifications that unlock comprehensive warranty coverage
- Independent competency training that proves installation quality
- Strong manufacturer relationships that matter when warranty issues arise
- The infrastructure and reputation to still be in business when you need them
County Roofing has been protecting Long Island homes for 35+ years because we understand what homeowners actually need: someone they can trust.
If you’re ready to work with a contractor who’ll be there in five, ten, or twenty years when you need support, call us at (631) 400-7663.
We serve Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester, and NYC with GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed systems backed by enhanced warranties and 35+ years of proven reliability.
Fast & Easy Financing with County Roofing
Financing your commercial roofing project has never been easier.
With County Roofing, you can get fast approvals with as low as 0% financing on new roofing projects for up to 15 years, with payments as low as $149:
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