Understanding Commercial Roofing Warranties: What Calgary Businesses Should Know
Commercial roof warranties are an invaluable asset for businesses laying down significant capital in any commercial roofing system. These warranties spell out the coverage on material defects and workmanship, protecting your investment and providing peace of mind for the long haul.
Only by understanding the terms and conditions can business owners properly plan for maintenance, repairs, or replacements. Calgary’s environment is tough on roofs, so it’s essential to have a robust warranty in place to protect that investment long-term.
Understanding your warranty options helps you make informed decisions and get the best value for your project, protecting immediate interests and future investments.
What Are Commercial Roof Warranties
Commercial roof warranties are contracts designed to shield commercial property owners from certain roofing problems. These warranties offer significant peace of mind. If the roof doesn’t provide the agreed-upon level of performance during that period, they will pay for some or all of the resulting repairs or replacement.
If your home is larger than 4000 square feet, it is subject to commercial roofing requirements. Having a warranty is absolutely imperative to safeguarding your investment. These warranties are an important component to lowering surprise costs.
These warranties provide excellent peace of mind, particularly when considering Calgary’s severe climate is extremely demanding on roofing systems.
There are two main types of commercial roof warranties: manufacturer warranties and workmanship warranties. Manufacturer warranties safeguard you against defects in materials. Typically, warranties range from five to thirty years in duration, with premium products offering longer terms.
Workmanship warranties, such as those offered by ARCA, focus on the installation craftsmanship. They provide warranty against leaks for up to five years. Both types serve different but important purposes, and knowing what each type covers is important.
For example, ARCA guarantees repair work during the first two years if the contractor fails to meet their warranty requirements. So it’s important to read the fine print before signing on the dotted line.
Warranties frequently have strict stipulations that must be followed, including routine inspections by ARCA-approved inspectors that guarantee compliance and quality installation. Written claims must be submitted in accordance with ARCA’s procedures for resolution.
Types of Commercial Roof Warranties
There are three main types of commercial roof warranties, each with their own benefits and protection for property owners. The two most common are system and material warranties. A system warranty generally covers both the materials and the installation, so you know the whole commercial roofing system is protected.
Material warranties only cover defects or failures in the roofing materials. For instance, if a membrane wears out early, a material warranty would cover that circumstance.
Limited lifetime warranties and prorated warranties are two different types of commercial roof warranties. Limited lifetime warranties typically provide full replacement cost coverage for a period of years, then lower coverage to a percentage of replacement cost thereafter.
Prorated warranties lose value as the roof gets older, covering less and less each year. With a limited lifetime warranty, you might enjoy complete repair coverage for the first 10 years. In comparison, a prorated warranty will only cover a percentage of that cost over the same span of years.
ARCA (Alberta Roofing Contractors Association) warranties have distinctive elements. They promise full repair coverage during the first two years in the event that the contractor does not fulfill their obligations. From years three through five, ARCA provides coverage for workmanship defects that lead to leaks (with the exception of projects using innovative materials).
Inspections are done by ARCA-approved inspectors to ensure high quality, but owners can request extra inspections.
| Warranty Type | Coverage Scope | Duration | Inspection Requirements |
| System Warranty | Materials & Installation | Varies | ARCA-approved inspection |
| Material Warranty | Material defects only | Varies | ARCA-approved inspection |
| Limited Lifetime | Full early coverage, reduces | Lifetime | Regular checks recommended |
| Prorated | Gradual reduction in coverage | Varies | Regular checks recommended |
Coverage Details of Roof Warranties
Most commercial roof warranties exclusively cover defects in materials and workmanship, meaning the roof will never function as the manufacturer intended. In Calgary, the Five-Year Commercial Warranty Certificate applies to low-slope, steep-slope, and architectural standing seam metal roofing systems. This certificate offers tremendous protection for these rare roofs.
During the first two years, the roofing contractor is responsible for repairing any defects or leaks due to workmanship. In the end, the building owner doesn’t pay a single penny for these fixes. Should the contractor be unable to meet their obligations, trade organizations such as ARCA cover the cost of repair in full.
Warranties are full of fine print limitations and exclusions. They often don’t pay for damage resulting from acts of God, such as severe weather, or poor maintenance and improper use. There are exceptions for projects using innovative roofing products, in which cases ARCA’s coverage terms vary.
Warranty fees are based on a percentage of the resulting contract price, per ARCA Trade Definitions. It’s important to know these costs in advance to sidestep surprises down the line. Performing regular maintenance is essential to keep your warranty coverage intact.
The ARCA warranty provides for a second-anniversary inspection performed by an independent roofing inspector. This guarantees continued compliance, all for the price of the warranty. Filing a claim must be done in writing, directly to ARCA, according to their Consumer Warranty Claim Procedure outlined on their website.
Complete documentation of all inspections and repairs makes this process easier for owners.
Common Roofing Systems for Businesses
Commercial buildings in Calgary often rely on two main roofing types: flat roofs and sloped roofs. Flat roofs are especially common for low-slope structures, where the incline is less than 3:12. These are favored for their cost-efficiency and no-frills design that allows easy installation of HVAC systems or solar panels.
A common choice for a flat roof would be a modified bitumen membrane, an asphalt-based material that stands up to Calgary’s distinct four seasons. These roofs are intentionally designed for longevity. They offer more than two decades of dependable coverage, and the warranty possibilities are numerous, usually making up 1-2% of the project cost.
Sloped roofs, with a steeper pitch of 3:12 or greater, are often seen on smaller businesses. Metal roofing is a particularly noteworthy option here, due to its non-combustible nature and life cycle longevity. Although up-front costs are increased, the value over the long-term is indisputable.
Sloped roofs tend to be less ideal for solar systems unless special mounts are employed, which can introduce additional complexity. Warranty coverage will vary according to materials. Metal roofs often have long-term warranties due to their durability and longevity.
Alternatively, modified bitumen systems tend to come with less extensive warranties. Considerations such as durability, type of installation, and future maintenance can help inform which materials to choose.
- Durability for Calgary’s weather
- Energy efficiency and potential for solar
- Warranty terms and costs
- Installation and maintenance needs
Choosing the Right Warranty for Your Business
The first step in choosing the right commercial roof warranty for your business is learning what your business needs. Each one of these roofs has a distinct purpose. Others protect mission-critical equipment, and still others protect the climate within which employees and customers work and thrive.
A retail space with lots of foot traffic will require a warranty that understands the need to have a path to quick, easy maintenance. A warehouse holding consumer goods might want more long-term leak protection. Selecting the appropriate warranty to meet these needs is key to protecting your investment while making sure it is practical.
The longevity of roofing materials is another key factor in warranty selection. Premium choices such as TPO or EPDM come with warranties that reach 20 years or longer. This comprehensive coverage provides longer-term assurance.
An NDL (No Dollar Limit) warranty ensures your repair or replacement will be fully covered, no matter the cost. This is true even when the cost of materials goes up. This can be especially important for businesses that want to avoid the risk of unplanned costs down the line.
Perhaps most important of all is the contractor’s reputation. For warranties such as NDL or material-and-labor warranties, hiring an authorized contractor is usually a stipulation of the warranty.
It’s advisable to ask questions such as, “What’s included in the warranty?” or “Who handles repairs after the initial two-year period?” A trustworthy Calgary company will be able to answer all of your questions and lay out a clear process.
Benefits of Flat Roofing Systems
Among all available roofing options, flat roofing systems make the most financial sense for Calgary’s commercial properties. Using fewer materials than their sloped counterparts, they offer a lower upfront cost and more dependable protection. Maintenance is easy. Their straightforward design makes maintenance easy as well, helping to keep long-term costs down.
When properly maintained, flat roofing systems can last anywhere from 60 to 70 years. This durability translates into substantial savings, making flat roofing systems a wise investment over the long haul.
The simplicity of residential flat roofing systems is another benefit. Flat roofs are easier in general to install with established methods, cutting down on labor and setup time. This simple, efficient process guarantees enterprises the strong, long-term waterproofing protection that keeps disruption to a minimum.
Flat roofs are perfect for Calgary’s climate, easily managing the temperature extremes we experience, while providing an added layer of protection from fire.
Beyond aesthetic appeal, flat roofing systems provide a wealth of benefits, including extra functional space. Most businesses use this space to house HVAC systems, solar panels, or even rooftop patios. This conversion into an otherwise unutilized space into a productive asset.
New materials such as Modified Bitumen (Mod Bit) are increasingly becoming the standard in new construction and reroofing. They improve energy efficiency, lowering heating and cooling costs and improving overall building performance.
Best Practices for Maintaining Roof Warranties
Frequent inspections are a best practice and will help keep your commercial roof warranty intact. Annual or biannual professional roof inspections are invaluable for finding trouble before it starts. This proactive approach can find issues, such as leaks or damage, before they become a major concern. Most importantly, it keeps the roof on the right side of warranty requirements.
For example, Calgary’s weather is notoriously fickle, and extreme conditions like hail or high winds are frequent. While manufacturer warranties often exclude weather-related damage, regular checks can help mitigate further issues and keep the roof in optimal condition.
Doing the right maintenance things is the second big part of the equation. Regularly clearing debris, maintaining proper drainage, and addressing minor wear and tear in a timely manner can prevent voiding a warranty. Unmaintained roofs, like clogged gutters that cause dangerous ponding, could be deemed a failure to maintain—rendering warranties void in many instances.
Hiring a professional, such as Superior Roofing, for storm damage repair is essential. They protect your investment by ensuring the work is performed to required specifications and protects your warranty.
Thorough documentation of every maintenance and repair action taken is just as critical. Documentation such as inspection reports, repair invoices, and maintenance logs serve as evidence that the roof has been cared for in accordance with warranty requirements.
Setting a regular timetable for these inspections, like every spring and every fall, makes it a regular part of maintaining the building and protects the roof’s durability.
