Every roofing quote mentions a warranty. Most of them sound great. "Lifetime shingles." "Manufacturer backed." The problem is that the warranty most homeowners think they are getting is not the warranty they actually have, and the gap shows up at the worst possible moment: when the roof leaks and someone has to pay for it.
The Problem With a Standard Shingle Warranty
A standard manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves. If a bundle came off the line with a manufacturing flaw, you are covered. That is real, but it is also rare.
Here is what a standard shingle warranty generally does not cover: the installation. Flashing that was bent wrong. Nails driven too high or at an angle. Ventilation that was never balanced. Underlayment skipped at the eaves. These are the things that actually make roofs fail in New England, and none of them are shingle defects.
So a homeowner with a "lifetime" warranty can still be completely on their own when a leak traces back to how the roof was put on. If the contractor who installed it has gone out of business, there is nobody left to call.
Most roof failures are installation failures. A warranty that only covers the shingles is protecting you from the least likely problem.
What Preferred Contractor Status Is
Owens Corning does not hand the Preferred Contractor designation to anyone who buys their shingles. They review a contractor's licensing, insurance, and standing before granting it, and they can pull it. It is the manufacturer putting its own name next to the contractor's.
The practical reason it matters: Preferred Contractors can register upgraded warranties that regular installers cannot offer. That is where the real protection is.
What You Actually Get
- ✓10-year workmanship coverage backed by Owens Corning. Installation errors are covered, and the coverage is backed by the manufacturer, not just by the contractor's promise.
- ✓Upgraded manufacturer warranty up to 50 years. Longer and stronger material coverage than the standard warranty on the same shingles.
- ✓A contractor that has been vetted. Licensing and insurance checked by a third party with something to lose.
That middle word, backed, is the whole point. A workmanship warranty from a contractor alone is only as good as that contractor's future. A workmanship warranty backed by the manufacturer does not disappear if a company closes its doors.
The Fine Print That Matters
Upgraded warranties come with conditions. Typically the roof has to be installed as a complete Owens Corning system, meaning the shingles plus the matching underlayment, starter, ridge, and ventilation components, and the warranty has to be registered after the job. Exact terms depend on the product line and what goes on your roof.
This is why mixing brands to save a few dollars on accessories is a bad trade. It can quietly knock you down to the standard warranty. We spec the full system and walk you through exactly what coverage your roof will carry before the job starts, in writing.
How to Check Any Contractor
Whether you hire us or someone else, ask these three questions before you sign:
- 1Who backs the workmanship warranty? The contractor alone, or the manufacturer?
- 2Which warranty will be registered on my roof, and for how long? Get the name and term in writing.
- 3Can I verify your certification? Owens Corning lists its certified contractors on its own website. Check it.
Faria & Son is owner-operated, so the person who quotes your warranty is the same person accountable for it. For more on vetting roofers, see how to find a good roofing contractor in Massachusetts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually not. A standard manufacturer warranty covers defects in the shingles themselves. Installation errors like bad flashing or improper nailing are typically excluded unless you have an upgraded warranty that includes workmanship coverage.
It is a designation Owens Corning grants to contractors after reviewing their licensing, insurance, and standing. Preferred Contractors can register upgraded warranties, including workmanship coverage backed by Owens Corning, that standard installers cannot offer.
As an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, we offer 10-year workmanship coverage backed by Owens Corning and an upgraded manufacturer warranty of up to 50 years. Exact coverage depends on the product line and system installed, and we put it in writing before the job starts.
Yes. Upgraded warranties typically require a complete manufacturer system and registration after installation. Mixing in off-brand components or skipping registration can drop you to the standard warranty. Ask your contractor exactly what will be registered.
Get the Warranty in Writing
If you are pricing out a roof replacement, call us at 508-989-8383 or request a free estimate. Your quote will spell out exactly which warranty your roof carries.
We serve Somerset, Swansea, Rehoboth, Westport, Seekonk, Fall River, and Freetown in Massachusetts, plus Warren, Barrington, and Tiverton in Rhode Island.
