Most Memphis homeowners assume that the word warranty on a roofing contract means they're covered if something goes wrong. The reality is more complicated, and the people who learn that the hard way usually learn it five years after the install, when something fails and the warranty document is written in language that doesn't say what they thought it said.

A new roof comes with two separate warranties, not one. They cover different things, they have different exclusions, and one of them is only as good as the contractor who issued it. This guide explains what each one really covers, what's typically excluded, and how to find a Memphis-area roofing contractor whose warranty is worth the paper it's printed on.

The Two Warranties on Every New Roof

Every roof installed in Memphis comes with two separate warranties from two separate parties:

  • The manufacturer warranty, issued by the company that made the shingles (Owens Corning, GAF, CertainTeed, etc.). This covers the materials.
  • The workmanship warranty, issued by the contractor that installed the roof. This covers the installation labor.

These are not interchangeable. A failing shingle is a manufacturer issue. A leaking flashing is a workmanship issue. The wrong claim goes to the wrong party and gets denied. Understanding the line between them is what saves you money on the back end.

What a Manufacturer Warranty Actually Covers

The manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves: materials that fail before they should, like premature granule loss, cracking, blistering, or curling that can be traced to a factory problem rather than installation, age, or weather.

Common Memphis-area manufacturer warranty terms:

  • Limited lifetime coverage on the shingles (which sounds better than it is)
  • Wind ratings of 110 to 130 mph on standard architectural shingles, higher on premium lines
  • Algae resistance for a stated number of years (10 to 25 typically)
  • Prorated payouts that decrease every year after the first decade

Here's what manufacturer warranties usually do not cover:

  • Improper installation (which is the contractor's responsibility)
  • Normal aging and weathering
  • Storm damage, including wind and hail beyond the rated specs
  • Ice damage, foot traffic damage, or damage from satellite dish installs
  • Issues caused by inadequate attic ventilation

The prorated trap is the line item most homeowners miss. A limited lifetime warranty typically covers 100 percent of replacement shingle cost for the first 10 years, then drops by a percentage each year after that. By year 25, the manufacturer's payout might cover only 20 percent of replacement materials and zero percent of labor. That's not exactly the protection most people picture when they hear the word lifetime.

What a Workmanship Warranty Actually Covers

The workmanship warranty covers the labor side: the contractor's installation work. If a leak develops at a flashing seam, the nailing was wrong, the underlayment was poorly lapped, or the valleys weren't sealed correctly, that's a workmanship claim.

Standard workmanship warranties in the Memphis market range from one to ten years. Many national chains offer two to five years. A few local Memphis contractors offer ten years. ContractingPRO's standard is a 10-year workmanship warranty on residential roof installations.

What workmanship warranties typically do not cover:

  • Storm damage (that's an insurance claim, not a warranty claim)
  • Damage from third parties (a neighbor's tree falling, a contractor working on something else damaging the roof)
  • Lack of maintenance, including clogged gutters that cause backflow
  • Penetrations added later by other contractors (solar installers, satellite installers)
  • Pre-existing structural problems with the roof deck or framing

Enhanced Manufacturer Warranties and How to Get One

This is where the contractor you choose actually changes what coverage you're eligible for.

Owens Corning offers three tiers of warranty: the standard warranty (available to any homeowner regardless of contractor), the System Protection warranty, and the Platinum Protection warranty. The two upper tiers are only available through certified contractors.

The Platinum Protection warranty includes:

  • Material coverage that stays non-prorated for the first decade or longer, depending on the product line
  • Coverage for the contractor's workmanship for a defined period, which means even if the contractor goes out of business, you have backup coverage from Owens Corning
  • Full transferability to a new homeowner if you sell the house
  • Coverage for the full Total Protection Roofing System (shingles, underlayment, ice and water shield, starter strip, ridge cap, ventilation), not just the shingles

Less than 1 percent of Owens Corning roofing contractors nationally hold Platinum Preferred status, which is the certification required to offer the Platinum Protection warranty. In Memphis specifically, only a small handful of contractors are certified.

Warranty Red Flags Memphis Homeowners Should Watch For

  • Lifetime warranty with no written terms. If the contractor won't give you the warranty document before you sign the contract, you don't have a warranty.
  • Workmanship warranty under five years. The roofing industry standard is moving toward longer terms. A two-year workmanship warranty suggests the contractor doesn't expect to be around to honor it.
  • Contractor without a verifiable physical address. A warranty from a company that disappears in three years is worth nothing. Verify a real Memphis-area street address, not a P.O. box.
  • No written warranty document at signing. Verbal warranties are not enforceable. Get every term in writing.
  • Warranty voided by any storm damage. Some warranty language excludes claims if any storm damage has occurred since installation, which is impossible to avoid in Memphis.
  • Out-of-state contractors offering warranties. After the next storm cycle, these companies are often gone and the warranty is unenforceable.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign a Roofing Contract

Before you put your signature on anything, you should have direct answers to these six questions:

  • Can you show me your workmanship warranty in writing, exactly as it will appear in my contract?
  • What's the exact manufacturer warranty I'm getting, including the prorated schedule and exclusions?
  • Are you certified by the manufacturer to offer the enhanced warranty (Platinum Protection, GAF Golden Pledge, etc.)?
  • Is the warranty transferable if I sell the house, and at what cost?
  • What voids the warranty, specifically?
  • What is your company's physical address, Tennessee contractor's license number, and BBB rating?

If a contractor can't or won't answer any of these in writing, walk away. The cost of the wrong contractor isn't the contract price, it's the leak you're paying out of pocket to fix in year four.

How ContractingPRO Backs Its Work

ContractingPRO offers a 10-year workmanship warranty as the standard on residential roof installations, not as an optional add-on. We've been operating from our Cordova office since 2012, so the warranty is backed by a real local company you can drive to. We're an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, which means we're eligible to offer the enhanced manufacturer warranties from both companies.

Our roof installations are eligible for the Owens Corning Platinum Protection warranty when paired with the full Total Protection Roofing System. We hold a Better Business Bureau A+ rating, and our warranty documents are signed and delivered as part of every contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

What typically voids a roofing warranty in Tennessee?

Common warranty-voiding actions include: installing a satellite dish or solar panels without notifying the contractor, allowing another roofing company to make repairs (which often voids manufacturer coverage), failing to maintain attic ventilation, walking on the roof unnecessarily, or letting gutters stay clogged long enough to cause water backflow. Read your specific warranty document for the exact exclusion list.

Is a roofing manufacturer warranty transferable if I sell my home?

Most manufacturer warranties allow one transfer to a new homeowner if you notify the manufacturer within a specific window (often 30 to 60 days after closing). Enhanced warranties from Owens Corning, GAF, and CertainTeed typically transfer fully if the timing rules are followed. Standard warranties may transfer only partial coverage. Check the warranty document for the exact transfer terms.

How long should a roofing contractor's workmanship warranty be?

Five years is acceptable, ten years is excellent. Anything under three years suggests the contractor isn't confident enough in their installation quality to stand behind it longer. A 10-year workmanship warranty is the standard from established Memphis-area contractors like ContractingPRO.

Can I file a manufacturer warranty claim myself, or do I need the original contractor?

For standard warranties, you can usually file directly with the manufacturer. For enhanced warranties like Platinum Protection, the original certified contractor typically files the claim on your behalf. If that contractor is out of business, contact the manufacturer directly and another certified contractor in the area can usually step in to inspect and submit.

Does a roofing warranty cover storm damage?

No. Storm damage is handled through your homeowners insurance, not your roof warranty. Manufacturer and workmanship warranties cover defects in materials and labor. Wind, hail, lightning, and falling tree damage are insurance claims. The two systems work in parallel, not in place of each other.

Get Real Protection, Not Just a Marketing Promise

A roofing warranty is only as strong as the contractor standing behind it. Before you sign anything, ask for the warranty document in writing, verify the contractor's certifications, and confirm the company has a real local presence.

If you'd like to see exactly what a 10-year workmanship warranty plus Owens Corning Platinum Protection looks like in writing, request a free quote from ContractingPRO and we'll walk you through every warranty term before any work begins.