Commercial Roof Warranty Explained: What’s Covered and What’s Not

Why Commercial Roof Warranties Deserve Your Attention

In Kansas and Missouri, roofs take a beating. We get high winds, hailstorms, and wide temperature swings, often within the same week. If you manage a multi-family property, HOA, or commercial building, you already know roofing is one of your largest long-term investments. And when something goes wrong, one of the first questions is, “Will the warranty cover it?”

The answer depends on the details. Commercial roof warranties often sound straightforward, but in practice, the coverage has limits. Understanding what’s included, what’s excluded, and what actions are required to keep your warranty valid can save you time, stress, and unexpected expense.

At Brewster Roofing, we’ve replaced and maintained commercial roofing systems for nearly 60 years. We’ve seen excellent warranties, and we’ve seen warranties that were void before the ink dried. This guide lays out the practical information you need to understand your options and responsibilities.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide:

• The different types of commercial roof warranties
• What’s typically included under roofing warranty coverage
• Common roof warranty exclusions and how to avoid them
• How Brewster Roofing helps you protect your investment

If you’d rather talk through your options directly, Brewster Roofing can help.

What Commercial Roofing Warranties Are (and What They’re Not)

A warranty is a legal agreement. It outlines what the manufacturer or contractor will take responsibility for if your roof system underperforms. It’s not a blanket guarantee, and it doesn’t mean every roofing issue will be covered.

Warranties vary by product, installer, and project type. They’re based on two things: materials and labor. Some cover only the product. Others cover both product and workmanship. Nearly all have rules that affect whether the coverage applies.

Three Common Warranty Types

• Material Warranty: Covers manufacturer defects in the roofing products, such as shingles, membranes, or coatings
• Workmanship Warranty: Covers installation errors made by the contractor
• System Warranty: Covers both labor and materials, but only if the system meets specific requirements

In our region, freeze-thaw cycles and storm activity make warranty details even more important. A poorly maintained or incorrectly installed roof is unlikely to qualify for support, even if the product itself is still under warranty.

What You Need Before You Rely on Warranty Coverage

Many property owners are caught off guard by warranty terms they didn’t fully understand. Before assuming your commercial roof warranty will cover an issue, make sure these conditions are met:

• Professional Maintenance Records. Most warranties require annual inspections by certified contractors. Skipping them puts your coverage at risk
• Proper Registration. Some warranties need to be registered within a certain number of days after installation
• Certified Installation. If your contractor wasn’t certified by the manufacturer, warranty coverage might not apply
• Full System Use. Mixing materials or components from different manufacturers can void the system warranty
• Organized Documentation. Keep warranties, inspection reports, and project records easily accessible

These steps are often overlooked. We walk our clients through them during installation and again when the project wraps up so nothing slips through the cracks.

What’s Covered and What’s Not

Let’s look at real-world expectations. A roof warranty can’t fix every problem. Knowing what to expect upfront helps you avoid disappointment when issues arise.

Material Warranty Coverage

What’s typically covered:

• Defects in roofing materials
• Premature failure under normal conditions
• Some rated protections (like wind resistance or hail ratings) if specified

What’s not typically covered:

• Improper installation
• Damage from severe storms or acts of nature
• Leaks due to neglect or skipped maintenance

Workmanship Warranty Coverage

What’s typically covered:

• Faulty installation of materials or accessories
• Leaks caused by poor seam welds, improper flashing, or fastening issues

What’s not typically covered:

• Product failures outside the contractor’s control
• Issues caused by third-party work or structural shifts
• Lack of routine inspections

At Brewster Roofing, we provide a 5-year workmanship warranty on every commercial installation. We’ve been certified by TAMKO, GAF, and Owens Corning. That matters when warranty claims are reviewed.

System Warranty Coverage

System warranties are comprehensive but more demanding.

What’s covered if the requirements are met:

• Defects in both materials and installation
• Labor and materials for repairs within the warranty period

What’s excluded if requirements aren’t met:

• Any unapproved substitutions or hybrid systems
• Late or missing documentation
• Failure to follow the inspection and maintenance schedule

How Materials and Maintenance Affect Your Warranty

Material choice impacts not just performance but also the type and duration of warranty coverage available. Here’s a breakdown of common systems we install and how they typically align with warranties:

Roofing Material	Warranty Range	Notes for Our Region
Asphalt Shingles	20–30 years	Lower upfront cost, less storm resilience
Modified Bitumen	15–25 years	Good for flat and low-slope roofs
Metal Roofing	30–50 years	Durable, fire resistant, requires certified crew
Roof Coatings	10–20 years	Restoration option, depends heavily on prep

Property type also matters. HOAs and assisted living facilities often benefit from low-maintenance systems that make routine inspections easier. That simplicity helps you avoid accidental lapses that can void warranty coverage.

At Brewster Roofing, we handle the warranty registration process and advise you on maintenance timelines to help you get the most from your investment. If your system qualifies for enhanced protection, we’ll walk you through the terms in plain language.

Commercial Roofing Warranty FAQs for Property Owners in Overland Park

If you’re managing a commercial building in Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, or anywhere across Kansas and Missouri, you’ve likely had questions about roofing warranties. Below are the most common questions we hear from HOA boards, property managers, and facility directors—along with straightforward answers based on decades of real-world experience.