Are Weathertightness Warranties Worth the Money?

At first blush, many folks think all WTWs work the same; however, nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, each manufacturer’s WTW varies but typically contains the same five basic components:

1. Warrantied systems
2. Involved parties
3. Warranty length
4. Warranty liability limits
5. Optional coverages

Warrantied Systems:

Weathertightness warranties are typically only available for concealed fastener style standing seam panels installed to predetermined minimum roof slopes. Consequently, it’s always best to reach out to specified manufacturers and discuss your project specifics to ensure that a WTW will be available.

Involved Parties:

Joint warranty: As the name implies, joint WTW’s split liability between the panel installer and the panel manufacturer. The contractor is typically responsible for the first two years of leak-free service for Joint warranties. Once two consecutive years of leak-free service have been achieved, the manufacturer is responsible for the remaining warranty term.

Pros:

• Most economical WTW.

Cons:

• No manufacturer protection exists until the contractor has achieved two years of consecutive leak-free service. As long as the installing contractor remains in business and services the warranty, this becomes a moot point.

Single-source warranty: Unlike joint warranties, the single-source warranty places full responsibility on the manufacturer for the project’s weathertightness from the beginning.

Pros

• Complete manufacturer responsibility can lead to greater peace of mind.
• Greater involvement from manufacturers in contractor selection, training and approval of job-specific details can net (but doesn’t guarantee) a better quality install.

Cons:

• Higher warranty cost.
• Manufacturers may limit this warranty to specific contractors with proven experience and training. This practice can frustrate contractors who want to bid on the project but cannot gain manufacturer support.

Warranty Length

Warranty length refers to the duration of the warranty coverage. Most manufacturers offer warranty periods ranging from five to 20 years, directly correlating warranty length and cost. As the warranty length increases, the cost of the warranty also increases.

Warranty Liability Limits

The liability limit of a WTW is the dollar amount of protection provided. Most manufacturers offer various limits ranging from as little as 0.08-square-foot on the low end to what is often referred to as no dollar limit or no repair limit on the high end, with many levels in between. As the coverage provided by the warranty increases, so too does the cost of the warranty.

A word of caution on warranty limits: when specifications call for a “manufacturer’s standard weathertightness warranty,” some manufacturers bid the lowest coverage possible. While this practice can help them win the project, as you can imagine, it often leads to frustration after the fact. Instead of using the term “standard,” the best approach when writing your specification and including a WTW is to specify the desired coverage amount.

Optional Coverages

Another element of manufacturer-supplied WTW’s involves optional coverages. For example, most manufacturers exclude coverage for excessive wind speed and penetrations from their base warranty. And instead, charge additional fees for their inclusion. To avoid unexpected coverage gaps, it’s always best to request a weathertight warranty sample document from any manufacturer included in your specification.

Certified Installers Instead of WTW’s

Properly installed metal roofs don’t leak. Consequently, it may be preferred to save the warranty cost and instead include a manufacturer-certified contractor requirement in the project specifications and gain these benefits:

1. Better quality installs. Using certified installers increases the odds of a better quality installation. During the certification process, attendees are exposed to the various system components and learn how the roofing system pieces go together for a proper installation.
2. Weathertightness warranty requirement. Problems can occur when the specifications don’t require contractor certification, yet it’s a requirement for warranty issuance by the manufacturer. When the installing contractor isn’t “certified,” the manufacturer can refuse to issue the warranty.
3. Contractor commitment. While becoming a manufacturer-certified installer isn’t an impossible process, it certainly involves hard and soft costs. Consequently, becoming a certified installer typically means the contractor is committing to the trade of installing metal roofing and learning the proper techniques.
4. Manufacturer contact. Certification class instructors present a wealth of knowledge, and relationships between the manufacturer and class attendees routinely develop. When someone on the project team (architect, contractor, or superintendent) has a question, working with a certified installer means you’ll likely have an existing relationship with an expert.
5. Quicker install. Certified installer crews routinely install products quicker than their non-certified counterparts. It’s not that non-certified contractors are bad, but they often lack familiarity with manufacturers’ specific products, parts, and pieces. Instead of taking time to learn the system on your project, certified installers arrive at the site with the experience that allows them to get your projects done more quickly.

Are weathertightness warranties worth the additional cost? They can be; however, WTWs require research and due diligence to ensure all parties on the project team understand the coverage that is (and isn’t) provided. Requiring manufacturer-certified installers can be an excellent no-cost alternative.

Kathi Miller is in charge of architectural national accounts at McElroy Metal, Bossier City, La. She can be reached at kmiller@mcelroymetal.com.