Roof Warranty FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Customers tell us the most confusing part of buying a roof is choosing a warranty. So here are our answers to some of the most popular questions.

Which GAF Warranty should I choose?

All GAF roofing shingles and qualifying accessories (the “GAF Products”) come with the great coverage provided by the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, and you don’t need to do anything at all to get it. In the event you experience a problem with your GAF Products caused by a manufacturing defect, this warranty is a great start. See GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

Does my GAF warranty need to be registered?

Neither the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty nor the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty require registration. Simply hold on to your proof of purchase (such as your contract with your installer, or invoice from roofing supply store or retail store where you purchased the GAF Products), which will need to be provided to GAF in the unlikely event you experience a problem with your GAF Products during the warranty term and need to file a claim. Enhanced warranties (such as the System Plus Limited Warranty, Silver Pledge Limited Warranty, and Golden Pledge Limited Warranty) do require registration, but your GAF Certified Contractor will take care of that. If you purchase an enhanced warranty from a GAF Certified Contractor and do not receive a copy of your warranty and registration within 60 days after the installation is complete, call GAF at 1-877-423-7663.

Where can I find a complete list of GAF Shingles and Qualifying GAF Accessories eligible for a Lifetime limited warranty?

For a complete list of GAF Shingles and Qualifying GAF Accessories which are eligible for a Lifetime limited warranty, visit gaf.com/LRS.

What are the benefits of the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty?

When you install a GAF Roofing System (defined as GAF Lifetime Shingles plus at least 3 Qualifying Accessories), you are automatically eligible for the coverage provided by the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty – which provides the same great coverage as the GAF Shingle & Accessory Limited Warranty, but adds Lifetime coverage on your Qualifying Accessory Products. Depending on what products you install, you may also be eligible for the WindProven Limited Wind Warranty. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What are the benefits of the System Plus Limited Warranty?

The System Plus Limited Warranty provides all of the same coverage available in the GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty, but the Smart Choice Protection Period is extended from 10 years to 50 years, and tear-off is included (when necessary). See System Plus Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What do you mean by “Lifetime Limited Warranty”?

The word “Lifetime” refers to the length of coverage provided by your GAF warranty and means as long as you, the original owner(s) [or the second owner(s) if coverage was properly transferred during the Smart Choice Protection Period], own the property where the shingles and/or accessories are installed. The Lifetime limited warranty is applicable only to shingles and accessories installed on a single-family detached residence owned by individuals. For any other type of owner or building, such as a corporation, governmental entity, religious entity, condominium or homeowner association, school, apartment building, office building, or multi-use structure, the length of the warranty is 40 years.

What do you mean by “Smart Choice Protection Period”?

The Smart Choice Protection Period refers to the crucial period of time following installation of the GAF Products during which the coverage provided for in your GAF warranty is non-prorated. After the Smart Choice Protection Period, the remedy provided for in your GAF Warranty may be different than that provided for during the Smart Choice Protection Period, and any remedy will be reduced to reflect the use you have received from your GAF Products. The amount of use will be calculated by dividing the number of months which have elapsed since installation to the date of claim by the number of months in the warranty term. For a Lifetime limited warranty, the number of months in the warranty term is deemed to be 600 for years 11-40 of the warranty term. For years 41 and beyond of a Lifetime warranty, GAF’s contribution is 20%. For example, if you make a claim for Lifetime shingles after they have been installed for 25 years (or 300 months), your settlement will be reduced by 300/600, or 50%.

What coverage is available for defects in the GAF Products?

In the event that GAF approves your warranty claim for a manufacturing defect during the Smart Choice Protection Period, GAF will provide you with replacement GAF Products and will pay you the full reasonable cost of labor to install the replacement GAF Products. After the Smart Choice Protection Period, labor is no longer covered and the amount of replacement GAF Products will be reduced to reflect the use you have received from your GAF Products from the date of installation to the date of claim.

What coverage is available for workmanship?

The Golden Pledge Limited Warranty and Silver Pledge Limited Warranty both offer coverage for misapplication of your GAF Products and flashings at valleys, dormers, chimneys, and plumbing vents (“Covered Flashings”). This coverage is also commonly referred to as “workmanship” coverage, and these warranties are only available through GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractors. For a list of GAF Master Elite Roofing Contractors in your area, please visit our contractor locator.

In the event that GAF determines there is an application error which falls within the scope of the coverage provided for in the Golden Pledge or Silver Pledge Limited Warranty, GAF will arrange to have your roof repaired or, at its sole option, will provide you with replacement GAF Products and reimburse you for the full reasonable cost of labor and other materials to repair your roof, including Covered Flashings. See Golden Pledge Limited Warranty and Silver Pledge Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What coverage is available for algae?

Algae Warranty coverage is available in all GAF warranties covering shingles and accessories. All StainGuard Plus-labeled shingles carry a 25-year limited warranty and 10-year non-prorated period against algae discoloration caused by blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria). All StainGuard-labeled shingles and ridge cap shingles carry a 10-year limited warranty and 1-year non-prorated period. There is no coverage for algae discoloration for any other GAF Accessory Products. The remedy provided in the event of a claim is the reasonable cost of commercially cleaning your shingles or ridge cap shingles, or at GAF’s sole option, replacing the discolored shingles or ridge cap shingles. See applicable warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What coverage is available for wind damage?

Wind Warranty coverage is available in all GAF warranties covering shingles and accessories. Wind Warranty coverage on GAF shingles and ridge cap shingles lasts for 15 years. There is no wind warranty coverage for any other GAF Accessory Products. Maximum wind speed coverage depends on the type of shingles or ridge cap shingles installed on your roof, as well as the installation method. The remedy provided in the event of a claim is reimbursement for the reasonable costs of replacing blown-off shingles or damaged shingles or ridge cap shingles and hand-sealing any unsealed shingles or ridge cap shingles. See applicable warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What do I need to do in order to get the “Wind Proven Limited Wind Warranty” and what exactly does it cover?

The WindProven Limited Wind Warranty is an industry-first: 15-year limited wind warranty with no maximum wind speed limitation. In order to qualify for WindProven Limited Wind Warranty coverage, you must install GAF LayerLock-labeled shingles and at least four (4) qualifying GAF Accessory Products, including GAF Ridge Cap Shingles, GAF Starter Strip Shingles, and a GAF Roof Deck Protection Product, plus your choice of either a GAF Leak Barrier Product or GAF Attic Ventilation Product. Visit gaf.com/LRS for a complete list of qualifying GAF Shingles and Accessory Products. 

The WindProven Limited Wind Warranty provides coverage for your LayerLock-labeled shingles ONLY. The WindProven Limited Wind Warranty does not cover any GAF Accessory Products. The remedy provided in the event of a claim is reimbursement for the reasonable costs of replacing blown-off or damaged shingles and hand-sealing any unsealed shingles. See GAF Roofing System Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.

What is NOT covered by my GAF Warranty?

Any conditions resulting from anything other than an inherent manufacturing defect in the GAF Products (or their Misapplication if you have a Golden Pledge or Silver Pledge Limited Warranty) are NOT covered. This includes, but is not limited to, failure to install adequate ventilation. Please be sure to discuss ventilation with your roofing contractor prior to the installation of your new roof.

How can I get a GAF enhanced warranty?

GAF enhanced warranties are only available through GAF certified roofing contractors. GAF Certified Contractors can offer the System Plus Limited Warranty. GAF Master Elite Contractors can offer all GAF enhanced warranties, including the Silver Pledge Limited Warranty and Golden Pledge Limited Warranty. To find a GAF certified contractor in your area, please visit our contractor locator.

How do I transfer my GAF Warranty?

The easiest way to transfer your GAF Warranty is by sending an email to ccp@gaf.com clearly stating your name, your address, and the date you purchased the property. GAF might request a copy of your deed or other documentary proof of the date the property changed hands. If you have questions, or prefer not to send this information via email, you can call GAF at 1-877-423-7663.

How can I file a warranty claim?

The easiest way to open a claim is online at gaf.com/contact. You may also call GAF at 1-800-458-1860, email warrantyclaims@gaf.com, or send a notice in writing to: GAF, Warranty Claims Department, 1 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054.

How can I check the status of my warranty claim?

The easiest way to check the status of your claim is online at gaf.com/contact. You may also call GAF at 1-800-458-1860, email warrantyclaims@gaf.com, or send a notice in writing to: GAF, Warranty Claims Department, 1 Campus Drive, Parsippany, NJ 07054.