Earlier this year, asphalt shingle manufacturers significantly
increased the duration of warranty coverage for the most popular
segment of the asphalt shingle roofing product market: laminated
asphalt shingle products. Asphalt shingle manufacturers have
replaced their "30-year laminated shingles" designation (based on
product warranty length) with a "lifetime shingles" designation in
their updated asphalt shingle product warranties.
GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., released an announcement Jan.
10 stating all GAF Materials laminated shingles installed after
Jan. 1 automatically are covered by a lifetime limited warranty.
Similar announcements from other asphalt shingle manufacturers
followed, with a few exceptions.
However, when a company markets a warranty as a "lifetime"
warranty, it does not necessarily guarantee satisfactory
performance. It is important to consider why companies decide to
extend warranties and whether a product's performance history is
adequate.
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