Roof warranties, and what Master Elite actually changes.

There are two separate warranties on a new roof and they cover completely different failures. Most homeowners find this out at the worst possible moment. Here’s the difference, and what our GAF Master Elite status changes about the coverage available to you.

Manufacturer warranty. Covers defects in the shingle itself — premature granule loss, delamination, a manufacturing fault. It comes from GAF, not from us, and it survives regardless of what happens to any contractor.

Workmanship warranty. Covers the installation — flashing detail, fastening, valley construction, ventilation. It comes from the contractor who did the work.

Here’s why the distinction matters: the overwhelming majority of new-roof failures are installation failures, not product defects. So the warranty that’s most likely to matter is the one backed by whoever installed it. If that company has moved on to the next storm, that warranty is a piece of paper.

GAF certifies a small fraction of roofing contractors at the Master Elite level, and it isn’t a purchase. A contractor has to demonstrate proper licensing, carry verified insurance, hold a documented reputation that GAF checks independently, and maintain ongoing training to keep the status.

Two consequences follow. First, it unlocks enhanced GAF warranty options that non-certified contractors simply cannot offer. Second — and this is the part worth sitting with — a storm-chasing operation cannot hold this certification, because it requires a verifiable local business with a track record. The credential is doing exactly the job you need it to do.

Whoever you hire, including us, these are fair questions and the answers should be in writing:

We’ll confirm the exact warranty coverage on your estimate, before you commit to anything.