Understanding Roof Warranties: What Georgia Homeowners Should Know

You know what’s more confusing than paint swatches with 12 shades of gray? Roofing warranties. And if you live in Georgia—where we get everything from sideways rain to frying-pan sunshine—you need to know what’s actually covered when something goes wrong overhead.

At Jaco Contracting, we’ve seen far too many homeowners surprised (and not in a good way) when they realize their roof repair isn’t covered by the warranty they thought had their back. So, let’s break this down, room-reno style. We’re walking you through everything you need to know about roof warranty information, how Georgia roofing warranties really work, and what kind of roof coverage you should expect.

No jargon. No fluff. Just the facts—made useful.

What This Guide Covers (And Why You Should Read It)

• The two types of roof warranties and what they actually include
• What makes Georgia roofing warranties unique (hello, wild weather)
• How to avoid warranty loopholes and gotchas
• What to do before and after a roofing project to stay covered
• How Jaco Contracting keeps you protected long after installation day

Need someone to take a look at your roof—or your warranty paperwork? Jaco Contracting can help.

Why Roof Warranties Matter in Georgia (Spoiler: Our Weather Is a Diva)

Here’s the thing: roofs in Georgia go through it. We’re talking searing heat, surprise hailstorms, hurricane leftovers, tornado-level winds, and the occasional ice storm just to keep things interesting.

That kind of stress wears a roof down fast—and if you don’t know how your warranty works, you could end up paying for damage that should have been covered (or could’ve been avoided with better installation). So, if you own a home in Georgia, you need to know how to protect your roof—and your budget.

The Two Roof Warranties Every Georgia Homeowner Should Understand

Yes, there are two. No, they are not created equal.

1. The Manufacturer Warranty (Think: The Product Guarantee)

This one covers the materials—the shingles, tiles, or metal panels themselves. So if your shingles start curling, cracking, or failing way before they should, this is the warranty that may step in.

What’s good:

• Usually lasts 25–50 years
• Some cover algae, wind resistance, and even hail (depending on product)

What’s not so good:

• Doesn’t cover installation mistakes
• Often gets prorated (meaning you get less back the older the roof is)
• Must be registered properly to be valid

2. The Workmanship Warranty (Think: The “Did They Do It Right?” Check)

This one comes from your contractor—you know, the folks actually putting the roof on. It covers labor and installation errors, like bad flashing, poor nailing, or skipped ventilation.

Why this matters: Most leaks we see? They aren’t because of faulty shingles. They’re because someone cut corners on the install.

At Jaco Contracting, our workmanship warranty lasts 2 years, and we fix the issue until it’s right—because a promise means something to us.

Before You Rely on Your Roof Warranty, Know This

Warranties are great, but they don’t cover everything. Let’s talk about what you need to have lined up to make your coverage count.

1. Your Materials Make a Difference

Not all roofing products are warranty-worthy superstars. Want better coverage? Use architectural shingles, impact-resistant shingles, or premium metal. And use a contractor certified to install them. (Spoiler: We are.)

2. How It’s Installed Matters More Than You Think

In Georgia, improper installation is a leading cause of failed roofs. And if the install is bad, your Georgia roofing warranty likely won’t help. That means flashing shortcuts, poor ventilation, or even wrong nail placement can kill your coverage.

We don’t play that game. Our crews are trained, certified, and follow code to the letter.

3. Yes, Permits and Code Compliance Matter Too

If your roofer skips permits or violates Georgia building code? That could void the warranty entirely. At Jaco, we don’t cut corners. Ever.

4. Registering the Warranty is Key

Some warranties don’t go into effect until they’re registered. We handle that part for our clients—so you don’t have to dig through paperwork three years later when something goes wrong.

What’s Actually Covered Under a Georgia Roofing Warranty?

We’ll keep this real. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Material Warranty Covers:

• Defective shingles or panels
• Problems like cracking, blistering, granule loss
• Algae protection (with specific shingles)
• High-wind ratings (depends on the brand)

Example:
Owens Corning’s Platinum Protection Warranty gives you:

• 50 years of non-prorated material coverage
• 25 years of labor coverage if installed by a certified contractor (like us)

Workmanship Warranty Covers:

• Poor installation
• Flashing and underlayment issues
• Nail placement mistakes
• Ventilation errors

If we install it, we stand behind it. That’s the deal.

What Your Roof Warranty Doesn’t Cover (And What to Do About It)

Here’s where it gets real: Storm damage is not covered under most roofing warranties. That’s what your homeowners insurance is for.

But—and this is big—if a storm reveals a workmanship issue, like a leak where flashing wasn’t properly installed, your contractor warranty might cover it. So the line isn’t always clear.

That’s why working with a legit, Georgia-based, licensed contractor matters. We know what qualifies, what overlaps with insurance, and how to get things resolved quickly.

See how we handle storm damage repairs

How Jaco Contracting Keeps You Protected Long After Installation

We’ve been roofing in Georgia for over a decade. We know the weather, the codes, and the warranty systems inside and out. But more than that—we know how to make this stuff understandable and stress-free for you.

Here’s what makes us different:

• Certified by Owens Corning, GAF, and Durolast
• We register your warranty for you
• We pull all permits and ensure code-compliant installs
• We help with insurance and warranty overlap
• We respond quickly and handle issues until you’re satisfied

Basically: we’ve got your back.

The Truth About Roofing Warranties: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Covers material defects and install issues	Doesn’t cover storms or neglect
Transferable if you sell your house	May be prorated over time
Available extended warranties	Can be voided by bad installation
Gives peace of mind	Requires paperwork and maintenance

Georgia Roofing Warranty FAQs: What Homeowners Really Want to Know

We get it—roof warranties can feel like the fine print no one actually wants to read, but they matter more than you think (especially here in Georgia). Whether you’re replacing a roof, buying a home, or just trying to figure out what happens after a big storm, these are the questions we hear the most—and we’re giving you the straight-up answers.

Let’s clear the confusion and talk about what roof warranties actually mean for your home.