The two warranties
| Manufacturer warranty | Workmanship warranty | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | The membrane or material manufacturer | The contractor who installed it |
| Covers | Defects in the materials, and in an NDL system, the whole assembly | Installation: flashing details, fastener patterns, seam welds, penetrations, transitions |
| Typical term | 10 – 30 years | Set by the contractor |
| Worth depends on | Whether it is NDL or prorated | Whether the contractor is still in business |
Most leaks in the first years of a roof’s life come from installation, not materials — which is why the workmanship warranty, and the company standing behind it, matter as much as the brand on the membrane.
NDL vs. prorated
NDL (No Dollar Limit) means the manufacturer pays for covered repairs with no cap for the length of the term. These are generally offered only on commercial single-ply systems installed by certified contractors, and they require a specified assembly — membrane thickness, attachment and details all have to meet the spec.
Prorated coverage is more common and much weaker: the payout drops as the roof ages. A roof that fails in year 18 of a 20-year prorated warranty might return 10–20% of replacement cost. Read which one you are being sold before you compare two bids on price.
What is usually excluded
- Storm and hail damage — that is an insurance claim, not a warranty claim
- Ponding water, on many systems
- Damage caused by other trades working on the roof after installation
- Missing maintenance documentation — often required twice yearly
- Accessories and repairs not compatible with the warranted system
The maintenance requirement catches people out most often. A maintenance plan keeps the record that makes a claim payable.
What ACR provides
A written workmanship guarantee on qualifying installations, backed by a $30,000 guarantee on residential work, in addition to the manufacturer’s coverage. The terms are in your proposal before you sign, alongside the manufacturer warranty the system qualifies for — so you can see exactly what is covered by whom.
Frequently asked questions
Does a repair void my existing warranty?
It can, if the repair is not done to the manufacturer’s specification or by an approved contractor. Tell us if your roof is under warranty and we will check before touching it.
Is hail damage covered by the roof warranty?
Almost never. Hail and wind are handled through your property insurance. See roof insurance claims.
Does the warranty transfer if we sell the building?
Many manufacturer warranties transfer once, sometimes with a fee and an inspection, within a set window after the sale. Check the certificate — and start the transfer before closing, not after.