A new roof is one of the largest investments most homeowners will make.
When reviewing roofing proposals, you’ll often hear terms like:
- Lifetime Warranty
- SureStart™ Protection
- SureStart PLUS™
- Transferable Warranty
- Manufacturer Coverage
For many homeowners, those terms can feel confusing.
Let’s simplify what CertainTeed’s warranty coverage means and why it matters for your home.
First, What Is a Manufacturer Warranty?
A manufacturer warranty protects you if your roofing materials have a manufacturing defect.
In simple terms, if the shingles were not made correctly and fail because of a defect in the manufacturing process, CertainTeed stands behind the product.
It’s important to understand what a manufacturer warranty does not cover.
Manufacturer warranties generally do not cover:
- Storm damage
- Hurricane damage
- Hail damage
- Falling trees
- Improper installation
- Foot traffic damage
- Normal aging and weathering
Those issues are typically handled through insurance, maintenance, or workmanship warranties provided by the contractor.
What Does “Lifetime Warranty” Mean?
One of the most misunderstood terms in roofing is “Lifetime Warranty.”
For CertainTeed residential roofing products, “Lifetime” means the warranty remains in effect for as long as the original homeowner owns the home where the shingles were installed.
It does not mean the shingles will literally last forever.
Like all roofing materials, shingles are exposed to:
- Sunlight
- Wind
- Rain
- Humidity
- Temperature changes
Over time, every roof will eventually reach the end of its service life.
What Is SureStart™ Protection?
This is where CertainTeed’s warranty becomes especially valuable.
Landmark PRO shingles include 10 years of SureStart™ Protection.
If a manufacturing defect occurs during that period, CertainTeed provides non-prorated coverage.
In plain English, that means CertainTeed may cover:
- Replacement shingles
- Labor
- Tear-off costs
- Disposal costs
- Flashing and related materials
for qualifying manufacturing defects.
This is often the period homeowners find most reassuring because coverage is at its strongest.
What Happens After the SureStart Period?
After the SureStart period ends, warranty coverage continues, but it changes.
If a manufacturing defect occurs later in the roof’s life, coverage becomes prorated.
This means CertainTeed may provide compensation based on the remaining value of the shingles rather than covering the entire replacement cost.
Think of it like this:
The earlier a manufacturing defect occurs, the greater the coverage.
The older the roof becomes, the more responsibility shifts to the homeowner.
What Is SureStart PLUS™?
SureStart PLUS is CertainTeed’s enhanced warranty program.
It extends the strongest level of coverage well beyond the standard SureStart period when installed as part of a CertainTeed Integrity Roof System® by a CertainTeed credentialed contractor.
Depending on the level selected, SureStart PLUS can provide extended coverage for:
- Materials
- Labor
- Tear-off
- Disposal
- Workmanship coverage
for decades beyond the standard warranty.
For homeowners planning to stay in their home long-term, this can provide significant peace of mind.
Why Does the Contractor Matter?
Not every contractor can offer CertainTeed’s enhanced warranty options.
To qualify for SureStart PLUS, the roof must be installed by a CertainTeed Credentialed Contractor and include a CertainTeed Integrity Roof System®.
Lineage Roofing & Construction is proud to hold the CertainTeed ShingleMaster credential.
This credential requires manufacturer training and ongoing education focused on:
- Proper installation methods
- Roofing system design
- Ventilation
- Manufacturer specifications
- Warranty requirements
The result is a roofing system installed according to manufacturer-recommended practices.
Can the Warranty Transfer to a New Owner?
Yes.
CertainTeed warranties can generally be transferred one time to the next homeowner.
This can be an attractive feature when selling your home because the new owner may continue to benefit from manufacturer warranty protection.
Specific terms vary depending on when the transfer occurs and the type of warranty coverage in place.
The Bottom Line
A roof warranty is more than just paperwork.
It represents the manufacturer’s commitment to stand behind the products used to protect your home.
With CertainTeed Landmark PRO shingles, homeowners receive:
- Lifetime Limited Warranty coverage
- 10 years of SureStart™ Protection
- Algae resistance protection
- Wind warranty coverage
- Transferable warranty benefits
- Access to enhanced SureStart PLUS™ options when installed by a CertainTeed Credentialed Contractor
At Lineage Roofing & Construction, we believe homeowners deserve to understand exactly what they’re purchasing. If you have questions about CertainTeed warranties, ShingleMaster installation, or the Integrity Roof System®, we’d be happy to walk you through your options and help you make an informed decision.
