A new roof usually carries two warranties: the shingle or membrane maker's product warranty and the contractor's workmanship warranty. Under federal law a written consumer warranty is labeled "full" or "limited", and most are limited.[1] Get both terms, transfer rules and registration steps in your written contract, which New York requires.[2]
Prorating, registration, installer certification for longer terms
Whether the company will still be around
IIBEC notes that longer manufacturer warranty terms on low-slope roofs generally require upgraded components and details.[3]
Full vs. limited
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the FTC explains that a written warranty on a consumer product must be designated "full" or "limited." A full warranty must meet federal minimum standards, such as covering any owner during the term and not limiting implied warranties' duration; anything short of that is limited.[1] Read what "lifetime" means in the actual document.
What to get in writing
Exact product, manufacturer warranty name and term, and whether it is prorated.
Workmanship warranty length and what it covers, including leaks.
Who registers the warranty and whether it transfers when you sell.
Ventilation and installation specs, since installation shortcuts can void coverage. Cold-weather installs have their own manufacturer rules.[4]
All of it in the written home improvement contract.[2]
The contractor's promise covering installation errors. Its length and terms vary by company, so get them in the written contract, which NY requires for home improvement work.
Is a "lifetime" shingle warranty really lifetime?
Read the document. Federal law requires written warranties to be labeled full or limited, and most product warranties are limited, per the FTC.
Does insurance replace a warranty?
No. Homeowners insurance covers sudden perils such as wind, while warranties cover defects.
Will a winter install void my warranty?
Not if done to the manufacturer's cold-weather instructions. Owens Corning publishes specific cold-weather installation requirements.
Sources retrieved October 16–20, 2026. Cost figures are published national averages, not quotes and not WNY-specific. This guide is general information, not legal or insurance advice.
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