Floridians turn to metal roofing because they want dependability and longevity. And when they pick the right roofers, that’s exactly what they get. You’d expect the same kind of reliability from your metal roof warranty, but homeowners are often disappointed in the protection their warranties provide.
We’re PITCH Roofing, your local metal roofing partner. And we’re here to dispel any confusion surrounding metal roofing warranties. Manufacturers can sometimes use warranties as a way to sell you on a worse product while misrepresenting the protection you can expect. Stick with us as we tell you everything you need to know about your metal roof warranty!
Types of Metal Roof Warranties
Broadly speaking, metal roof warranties fall into one of three categories: paint warranties, substrate warranties, and workmanship warranties. And your metal roof warranty will cover very different things depending on which type you’re talking about. To get started, let’s get a baseline for what these warranties are and what they cover.
Paint Warranties
Unlike most other roofing systems, metal roofs do not come with a warranty on the materials. Rather, you get coverage for the paint on your metal panels. In theory, your metal roof paint warranty should cover:
- Chipped paint on your panels
- Chalking, a process where white residue builds up on your roof
- Color fading due to UV rays, which can be a major problem in sunny Florida
We say “in theory” because using coverage for some of these problems can be a challenge. While chipped paint will usually result in a successful claim, it’s hard to use coverage for chalking. That’s because “acceptable” levels of failure are part of most metal roof warranties. So while you may experience chalking, your warranty from the manufacturer may deem that it isn’t enough for them to pay to resolve the issue.
Similarly, homeowners can rarely use their coverage for color fading. When testing for fading, inspectors from the manufacturer will remove all chalking and pollutants from the small area they’re testing. This often results in a denied claim, even if there is visible fading on other parts of the roof.
Substrate Warranties
Substrate warranties apply to specific types of metal roofing. For example, Galvalume steel is often covered against rust for the first 15 to 25 years after installation. Note, however, that this rust protection only applies to corrosion that eats all the way through your substrate, not surface rust. There are also situations where Galvalume warranties don’t apply, like on coastal homes.
Aluminum is a popular choice on the coastline for its improved corrosion resistance, but these policies tend to last for a shorter period of time, about 15 to 20 years. Additionally, you may find your metal roof warranty claim rejected if you’re not keeping up on scheduled maintenance, including a freshwater rinse if your home is near the coastline.
Workmanship Warranty
Of all the types of metal roof warranties, workmanship is perhaps the most important. This protection covers you in case your roof fails due to improper installation. Generally, a metal roof workmanship warranty should last at least 10 years. Less than that, and as a consumer you have to wonder why the roofers won’t stand by the quality of their work.
Unlike the other types of metal roof warranties, your workmanship warranty comes from the roofers you choose, not some distant manufacturer. This is where you have the most control, so it’s important to look over the terms of a workmanship warranty and ensure you’ve got good, resounding coverage for at least the first several years of your roof’s life. If your metal roof can get through the first 10 years of its life with no issues, you can be confident that any problems down the line won’t be due to installation errors.
What to Know About Metal Roof Warranties
If you’ve noticed that there are a lot of situations where you can’t use your metal roof warranty, then you’re starting to see the real landscape of the situation. Manufacturers promise a lot when it comes to warranties, but the reality often falls short. Here are a few things you need to know before agreeing to any warranty.
Protection Is More Complicated Than the Length of Your Warranty
Oftentimes, manufacturers will advertise a “50-year” or “lifetime” warranty. And your policy will likely be good for the entirety of that period. However, you’re probably signing up for less coverage than you realize. That’s because most material warranties, even extended ones, are prorated.
This means that you might enjoy great coverage immediately following your metal roof installation. But even 5 years later, you could see that coverage cut in half. 10 years in, you could be looking at a metal roof warranty that only covers 20% of any claims you make. So while long-term protection sounds great, it’s important to take a close look and make sure your claims will have a fair payout when you need them.
Watch Out for Film Integrity Clauses
Film integrity is another way that manufacturers get around paying out claims on paint warranties. Put simply, film integrity means that your metal roof paint warranty will only cover fading or chalking if the film is destroyed or penetrated. This means that you could get a bright red roof (a popular choice in Florida), then when it fades to pink, your fading claim will be denied because the integrity of the paint has not been compromised.
Manufacturers use film integrity requirements to offer lifetime warranties because they know they won’t have to pay out. If you see this as a requirement for a claim in your metal roof warranty, then it’s safe to assume that you will almost never get to use that coverage.
Metal Roof Warranties Aren’t Everything
At this point, we’ve established that most metal roof warranties from manufacturers are unreliable. While all of these warranties can be helpful in theory, the reality is often more complicated, and it can be hard to get a claim approved. But that doesn’t mean you should give up on metal roofing.
Metal roofs have so much to offer Florida homeowners. They’re durable, they add value to your property, and they’ll last for significantly longer than asphalt shingles. Yes, the warranties leave a lot to be desired, but if you go into the process knowing that, you can’t be disappointed. While strong warranties should influence your choice somewhat, we don’t recommend letting them decide everything. Instead, focus on getting a strong, resilient metal roofing system.
It also helps to thoroughly vet your roofers and their workmanship warranty. At PITCH, we’re more than happy to stand by the quality of our work. As veteran Florida metal roofers, we know these roofing systems inside and out, including how to set them up for long-term success.
Get a Free Metal Roof Replacement Estimate
A metal roof warranty may not always be reliable, but PITCH Roofing is. No matter what your budget is or what your dream roof looks like, we’ll be there to help you explore all your options and make the right choice for your property. And it all starts with a free, no-obligation roofing estimate.
Call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form to get started. We’ll inspect your roof, discuss your options, and prepare an itemized estimate that leaves no room for hidden fees or guesswork. At PITCH, we’re all about transparency. Reach out today and see what our tried and true metal roofing contractors can do for you!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
