NO WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR "SERVICE LIFE"
ELIMINATING LIABILITY FOR DEFECTIVE SHINGLES

Please see Definitions
 

   Many people don't understand - some have a hard time accepting - that asphalt warranties DO NOT actually provide
   coverage for the durability / lifespan / service life of shingles.  Most consumers wonder how manufacturers are able
   to avoid the financial liability for providing warranties that are DECADES LONGER than the known, and documented,
   lifespan of the shingles.  Manufacturers can, and do, market asphalt shingles with unrealistic warranties because:

            a)  What accountability is there?
                 Most homeowners will not risk $100,000 in legal costs - to enforce warranty coverage on a $15,000 roof.

            b)  Class Action Lawsuits on asphalt shingles did not begin until the late 1990's.  And, to date, asphalt shingle
                 class action lawsuits have proven to be very inefficient in bringing reform - paying pennies on the dollar.

            c)  Generally speaking, all the premature failures related to the natural "aging" of fiberglass asphalt shingles
                 are NOT guaranteed as part of the specific "Limited" warranty coverage.

   The Bottom Line:  Even if asphalt warranties DID still cover the Durability / Lifespan / Service Life of shingles,
   there would still be very little accountability for manufacturers.  However that does not really matter because as the
   premature failure of modern shingles, fiberglass and organic, became common knowledge (see: History of Asphalt)
   coverage for the "service life" of shingles was REMOVED from warranties.

SERVICE LIFE NOT COVERED

   While most consumers naturally assume shingle warranties indicate expected product durability (as in the past)
   the current strategy of "limiting" warranty coverage to only "production defects" and/or "manufacturing defects"
   has allowed asphalt manufacturers (and asphalt roofers) to use inflated warranty periods of 30 years, 40 years
   and 50 years as an effective sales and marketing tool... some claim a very deceptive sales and marketing tool.

            In fact, less than 1% of all CertainTeed shingles are found to have manufacturing defects.
            But they all age... The natural aging process begins as soon as the shingles are installed...   [1]

   Asphalt warranties are "limited" in the sense they only guarantee "production defects" or "manufacturing defects"
   and NOT the normal process of aging (the "service life") of the shingle.  Asphalt manufacturers admit less than 1%
   of fiberglass shingles have "manufacturing defects"... but 100% of shingles fail due to the normal process of aging.
   Notice the historical coverage of warranties from 1972, 1982 and 1992 when "service life" was still guaranteed.

            The Certain-teed asphalt shingles identified below are warranted to be free from manufacturing defects
            and will remain serviceable for the length of time specified for the shingle applied.   [2]

            CertainTeed Corporation ("CertainTeed"), subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein,
            warrants to the original homeowner/consumer that the asphalt shingles identified below are free
            from actual manufacturing defects and will remain serviceable for the length of time specified...   [3]

            CertainTeed Corporation ("CertainTeed"), subject to the conditions and limitations listed herein,
            warrants to the original homeowner/consumer that the asphalt shingles identified herein are free
            from manufacturing defects and will remain serviceable for the length of time specified...   [4]

   The traditional (historical) warranty coverage of asphalt shingles included coverage for shingle "Service Life"...
   Because traditional - pre 1970's - shingles had a history of lasting longer than the 15 year or 20 year warranties.
   However, there was a dramatic change in the asphalt roofing industry between 1991 and 1993.

   Due to modifications in asphalt shingle design (discussed here) suddenly there was widespread failure of shingles
   reported across the country.  After production of dependable asphalt shingles for almost 100 years, suddenly in the
   early 1990's, there was widespread premature failures being reported by asphalt contractors across the country,
   which eventually resulted in contractor associations (like WSRCA, MRCA and NRCA) confronting individual asphalt
   manufacturers and the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA). 

   Consider the difference between traditional warranties above, which guaranteed the "Service Life" of shingles
   and the "limited" warranties provided AFTER the premature failure of shingles became common knowledge.

            PROVIDED SHINGLES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN STRICT ACCORDANCE WITH CERTAINTEED
            WRITTEN INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, CERTAINTEED WARRANTS TO THE ORIGINAL
            PROPERTY OWNER/CONSUMER THAT ITS ASPHALT ROOFING SHINGLES WILL BE FREE FROM
            MANUFACTURING DEFECTS FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME SPECIFIED IN THE CHART ABOVE
            AND THAT CERTAINTEED WILL REPAIR OR REPLACE ANY SHINGLES PROVEN TO BE DEFECTIVE
            UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANTY.   Emphasis in Original   [5]

   After premature failures of fiberglass shingles became common knowledge (1991 to 1993) asphalt manufacturers
   suddenly stopped providing warranty coverage for the "service life" of shingles.  This happened at the same time
   asphalt roofers began to use the 'Standard Disclaimer Form' to limit financial liability for installing defective shingles.
   Roofing experts understood the sudden elimination of "service life" coverage as the manufacturer's attempt to limit
   financial liability for expected premature failures.  All asphalt manufacturers have eliminated "service life" coverage.

            PABCO is not liable under this limited warranty due to any cause other than manufacturing defects
            in the shingles.  While this warranty describes certain benefits available, it is not an assurance that
            the shingles will remain serviceable for the length of the entire warranty period.   [6]

            Any limited warranty does not assure that the covered products will last the entire length
            of the stated warranty period.   [7]

   Unfortunately, many inexperienced consumers continue to assume "limited' asphalt warranties indicate either the
   quality or the durability of shingles... They DO NOT.  After widespread premature failure of shingles were reported
   by contractor associations across the country - suddenly all asphalt manufacturers eliminated coverage of shingle
   "service life".  Since that time (early 1990's) asphalt warranties DO NOT indicate the durability or quality of shingles.

            In fact, at least one major asphalt manufacturer (CertainTeed) has already admitted that
            it does not even verify the performance or durability of the shingles it produces and sells.
            And, without any record of shingle performance or durability in the real world, it doesn't have
            any evidence of the percentage of shingles (if any) that actually last 15 or 20 years.   [8]

   Since asphalt warranties no longer indicate either the quality or durability of shingles, it's extremely important that
   consumers talk with an Independent and Unbiased expert before making final decisions about product selection.
   This is especially true since asphalt manufacturers now provide "Inflated" warranties to help roofers sell shingles
   to consumers that (really) need a more durable material.  See:  Asphalt Warranties "Inflated" to Deceive Consumers

ASPHALT SHINGLE DURABILITY 

   Most manufacturers (and roofers) "specialize" in only one type of roofing material and, therefore, must try to "sell"
   that material to everyone - even when a different material or product would be more appropriate to the consumer's
   unique individual needs.  Manufacturers (like CertainTeed) sell only one material - asphalt shingles - and, therefore,
   will try to sell their products to everyone.  Likewise, roofers specializing in installation of asphalt shingles will try to
   use ''inflated" warranties to "sell" asphalt shingles - even when they EXPECT premature failure.

            A recent study for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) determined the average life expectancy
            for asphalt shingles is only 20 years.  [9]   Even the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA),
            recommends replacement of asphalt shingles every 20 years. [10]

   However, these estimates from both the National Association of Home Builders (20 years) and the Asphalt Roofing
   Manufacturers Association (20 years) are NOT indicating the Re-Sale Window for asphalt shingles - which needs
   to also include a Five Year Certification.  If asphalt shingles have a 20 year "functional lifespan," that DOES NOT
   mean that they can actually pass a Re-Sale Inspection at that time, please see: What Constitutes a Roof Failure?

   Homeowners can be excused for considering an idea as ridiculous as 30, 40 or 50 year asphalt shingles... they are
   unsuspecting consumers, not roofing experts.  But what about the roofing contractors?  What about manufacturers?
   Can they ever be excused for using deception to sell defective products?  See: Selling Defective Shingles in Seattle

   It's very easy to "sell" inexperienced and unsuspecting buyers the idea of a long-term lifespan for asphalt shingles,
   when the only examples shown are less than 10 years old.  It's something altogether different when consumers have
   the opportunity to actually see the condition of a 20 year fiberglass installation.  See: Recent Class Action Lawsuits

   Fiberglass shingles have been on the market for over 30 years.  Even "luxury" shingles like the Presidential Shake
   have been produced for over 23 years.  If a manufacturer or roofing contractor is unwilling (or unable) to let you see
   what you can expect your roof to look like in 15 or 20 years... maybe you should look for a different roofing material.
   Learn what roofers (and manufacturers) DON'T WANT you to know.  Also see:  The Truth on Presidential Shingles

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE

   On the issue of failed / failing roofing, it's important to understand that "expert" opinions will reflect the fundamental
   perspective of those expressing the opinion.  And often the difference between the perspective of (roof) Sellers
   and the perspective of (roof) Buyers can be quite extreme.  The perspective of sellers and buyers differs because
   their financial interests are diametrically opposed.

All roofers claim to have the best product
and all roofers claim to provide the best installation.
Obviously, that cannot be true.

There is always an adversarial relationship between buyers and sellers
roofing buyers should never expect full disclosure or unbiased information
from asphalt manufacturers, asphalt distributors/suppliers or asphalt roofers.

   Sellers (like CertainTeed) may consider roofing "failed" when shingles pass their functional lifespan and threaten
   damage from leaking.  Buyers (homeowners) may consider "failure" to occur whenever the shingles are past their
   Re-Sale Window and require either replacement or payment of a "Roofing Allowance" in order to sell their home.*

   Sellers (like CertainTeed) may consider a certain percentage of premature failures to be acceptable because the
   cost of paying claims is already built into the shingle price - and very few failures get submitted as warranty claims.
   However, most buyers (homeowners) will consider ANY premature failure to be unacceptable - especially when the
   warranty payment is just a small percentage of actual replacement costs... and failure was expected by the Seller.

                     * Based on product design and proven performance, there are only two (2) conventional
                     fiberglass shingles that we find ANY evidence of typical durability beyond 20 years.  These
                     shingles are NOT popular products (in the Seattle area) as most roofers don't tell consumers
                     about the history of premature failures - and the very limited durability of fiberglass shingles.

Do you want to get the BEST VALUE on your roofing project?
You will need Full Disclosure and Unbiased Information.
Contact us for Specific Advice on your Project.
Free Consultation Anywhere in U.S.

Seattle Roof Brokers

   __________________________________________________________________________________________

   [1]   CertainTeed Brochure: The Life Cycle of Your Roof
   [2]   CertainTeed Warranty - 1972
   [3]   CertainTeed Warranty - 1982
   [4]   CertainTeed Warranty - 1992
   [5]   CertainTeed Warranty - 1994
   [6]   Pabco Warranty
   [7]   Elk Warranty
   [8]   CertainTeed Declaration
   [9]   National Association of Home Builders, 'Study of Life Expectancy'
 [10]   Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, 'All About Roofing'
   __________________________________________________________________________________________

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