Compare GAF manufacturing-defect and workmanship coverage, plus warranty options for other roofing and exterior systems. Current terms depend on the products, owner, building, and registered warranty. Get the coverage in writing before installation.
Every Ridgeline installation is backed not just by manufacturer warranties, but by our own workmanship guarantee — because we're still here on Monday morning. Whether it's a roof replacement, siding project, or gutter installation, our work is guaranteed.
Ridgeline stands behind every installation with our own workmanship guarantee. We're a family-owned company — the same ownership, same standards, and same accountability on every project we take. If something isn't right, we make it right.

We respond to warranty inquiries within one business day. Family-owned since 2012 — we're accountable to the communities we serve.

Our workmanship warranty covers installation errors made by our crew. It does not cover the items below — we're upfront about this so you understand exactly what's protected.
Manufacturing defects are covered by the manufacturer warranty (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, etc.) — not our workmanship guarantee.
High winds, hail, heavy rain, hurricanes, tornadoes, and debris impact. These are handled through your homeowners insurance.
Floods, earthquakes, lightning strikes, fires, or falling trees and limbs.
Unless we specifically installed ice-and-water shield and it was done incorrectly — that would be a workmanship issue.
Gradual aging, fading, or granule loss over time is expected and not an installation defect.
Clogged gutters, debris buildup, unrepaired minor issues, or failure to perform recommended upkeep.
Changes made by the homeowner or another contractor — satellite dishes, solar panels, foot traffic, or any modification to the roof.
Structural problems, inadequate attic ventilation or insulation (if not part of our contract), or trapped moisture in an older roof layer.
Other exclusions: consequential or secondary damages (interior contents, personal property), vandalism, pest damage, mold/mildew from non-roof causes, or repairs performed by anyone other than Ridgeline.
Manufacturing-defect coverage and workmanship coverage are different. The table below applies to qualifying individual-owned single-family detached homes. Other owners and buildings have different terms.
| Warranty | Manufacturing-defect coverage | GAF workmanship coverage |
|---|---|---|
| System Plus | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | No added GAF workmanship coverage. |
| Silver Pledge | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | 10 years for Timberline NS, HDZ, and HDZ RS. 15 years for Timberline UHDZ, AS II, and qualifying Designer shingles. |
| Golden Pledge | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | Lifetime limited workmanship. The non-prorated workmanship period is 25 years for Timberline HDZ and HDZ RS, or 30 years for Timberline UHDZ, AS II, and qualifying Designer shingles. Benefits reduce afterward. |
Non-prorated describes the initial period before covered benefits reduce for use. Golden Pledge benefits reduce after its 25- or 30-year non-prorated workmanship period. This is not unlimited full repair reimbursement for life. Eligible products, installation, registration, payment, exclusions, and the issued warranty apply.
Golden Pledge requires a GAF Master Elite installer. Silver Pledge is available through eligible Certified Plus and Master Elite contractors. System Plus adds no GAF workmanship coverage. A separate contractor guarantee must be identified separately in your written agreement.
GAF's President's Club Limited Warranty requires a current 3-Star President's Club Award Winning Master Elite contractor. A general award does not prove that qualification. Confirm current eligibility rather than assuming that this separate tier is available.
WindProven is a separate conditional wind limited warranty, not a workmanship tier or a promise against every storm.
Read the current GAF warranty guide and legal samples. Your existing roof remains subject to its issued warranty.

The GAF Golden Pledge isn't just about shingles — it requires a complete roofing system installation. Every component must be a qualifying GAF product, correctly installed under the applicable warranty requirements. That means shingles, starter strips, leak barrier, underlayment, ridge cap, and proper ventilation.
This requirement isn't bureaucratic — it protects you. A complete system installation with a GAF-approved inspection confirms everything is correct from day one. Partial installs or missing components void the warranty before it starts.
From shingle replacement to commercial drone footage, watch Ridgeline crews at work. Every project we complete is backed by the manufacturer and workmanship warranties described on this page.
Every roof we install qualifies for the strongest available warranty tier — because we hold GAF President's Club, CertainTeed ShingleMaster, and James Hardie Preferred Contractor certifications. See more in our project gallery.
Ridgeline holds certifications with multiple manufacturers, giving customers access to their strongest warranty programs.
Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Wind coverage: 110 mph standard (4-nail); 130 mph with 6-nail application + OC starter shingles. Duration STORM shingles achieve 130 mph with just 4 nails via SureNail + WeatherGuard technology.
5-Star Warranty System

CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certification is required for the 5-Star SureStart PLUS warranty. Ridgeline holds this certification.
Fiber Cement Siding

James Hardie warranties transfer to the first subsequent buyer at no cost — a meaningful selling point documented in the home sale. Ridgeline is a James Hardie Preferred Contractor, recommended by James Hardie for full warranty compliance and proper installation per their guidelines. Learn more about our siding installation services.
Contractor Certification Program

Key difference: IKO does not provide workmanship coverage at any tier — all workmanship protection comes from the installing contractor. GAF, Owens Corning, and CertainTeed offer manufacturer-backed workmanship under different product-specific terms; compare each legal sample. Wind coverage: 110 mph standard; 130 mph with 6-nail on Cambridge, 130 mph standard on Dynasty.
| Warranty | Manufacturing-defect coverage | GAF workmanship coverage |
|---|---|---|
| System Plus | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | No added GAF workmanship coverage. |
| Silver Pledge | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | 10 years for Timberline NS, HDZ, and HDZ RS. 15 years for Timberline UHDZ, AS II, and qualifying Designer shingles. |
| Golden Pledge | Lifetime limited, including 50 non-prorated years for qualifying individual-owned detached homes. | Lifetime limited workmanship. The non-prorated workmanship period is 25 years for Timberline HDZ and HDZ RS, or 30 years for Timberline UHDZ, AS II, and qualifying Designer shingles. Benefits reduce afterward. |
These separate manufacturer options retain their own eligibility and issued terms. Confirm current coverage in your estimate.
| Manufacturer | Warranty Tier | Material Coverage | Workmanship | Who Backs It | Ridgeline Eligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Corning | Standard | Lifetime, 10 yr non-prorated | None | Owens Corning (materials) | ✓ Yes |
| Owens Corning | Preferred Protection | Lifetime, 50 yr non-prorated | 10 yr workmanship — OC backed | Owens Corning Corporation | ✓ Yes |
| Owens Corning | Platinum Protection | Lifetime, 50 yr non-prorated | 25 yr — OC backed | Owens Corning Corp — <1% of roofers | — Platinum Preferred required |
| CertainTeed | 1-2 Star (Base) | Lifetime, 10 yr SureStart non-prorated | None | CertainTeed (materials) | ✓ Yes |
| CertainTeed | 4 Star — SureStart PLUS | Lifetime, 50 yr non-prorated | None — contractor only | CertainTeed (materials + labor + tear-off) | ✓ Yes — ShingleMaster |
| CertainTeed | 5 Star — SureStart PLUS ★ | Lifetime, 50 yr non-prorated | 25 yr workmanship — CT backed | CertainTeed — SELECT ShingleMaster only | ✓ Yes — SELECT ShingleMaster |
| James Hardie | Substrate Warranty | 30 yr non-prorated | N/A — siding product | James Hardie Corporation | ✓ Yes — Preferred Contractor |
| James Hardie | ColorPlus Finish | 15 yr finish warranty | Labor coverage per published terms | James Hardie Corporation | ✓ Yes — Preferred Contractor |
| IKO | Iron Clad Extended | 15-25 yr non-prorated (by product) | None — contractor only | IKO (materials only) | ✓ Yes — ROOFPRO Select |
GAF warranty terms checked September 23, 2026. See the product-specific non-prorated periods, eligibility, and current legal samples. Current information does not replace a warranty already issued for an existing roof.
Most homeowners focus on the material brand. The critical variable is actually the workmanship tier — and that depends entirely on who installs it.
Manufacturing defects in shingles are rare — quality control at GAF, OC, and CertainTeed is strong. The most common roof failures trace to installation errors: missing starter strips, improper flashing, incorrect nailing patterns, inadequate ventilation. Material warranties don't cover any of that. Workmanship warranties do. A professional roof inspection can identify these issues early.
With an entry-level warranty, your workmanship protection exists only as long as the contractor does. GAF's Golden Pledge and Silver Pledge change this — GAF backs workmanship under distinct terms: Silver Pledge provides 10 or 15 years by eligible shingle; Golden Pledge provides lifetime limited workmanship for qualifying individual-owned detached homes, including 25 or 30 non-prorated years by eligible shingle. If Ridgeline ever ceased operations, GAF would still honor your warranty claim. Entry-level warranties don't work that way.
A transferable Golden Pledge or CertainTeed 5-Star warranty is a documented home asset — buyers and real estate agents recognize it. A roof with documented manufacturer-backed workmanship coverage is meaningfully different from one with no workmanship coverage. That difference can show up in a home inspection report and an offer price.
To qualify for Golden Pledge or Silver Pledge, the entire GAF roofing system must be installed correctly: shingles, starter strips, ridge cap, leak barrier, underlayment, and ventilation. This isn't paperwork — it's a complete installation standard. Confirm the required products, installation details, and registration for the specific warranty. The issued terms determine coverage.
GAF Master Elite certification is held by less than 2% of roofing contractors nationwide. It requires meeting strict standards for installation volume, customer satisfaction, and manufacturer training. Golden Pledge requires Master Elite status; Silver Pledge is also available through eligible Certified Plus contractors — regardless of what they promise. Ask for the certificate, not just the claim.
If you're in the Gulf Coast or Florida Panhandle, standard wind warranties cap at 130 mph. Category 4 and 5 hurricanes exceed that. WindProven removes the cap entirely — there is no maximum wind speed that voids coverage. For coastal homeowners, consider pairing this with a FORTIFIED roof for maximum storm protection.
Real answers about how roofing warranties work, what they cover, and how to protect your investment.
A material warranty covers defects in the shingles or siding products themselves — issued by the manufacturer. If a batch of shingles delaminated due to a factory error, the material warranty applies.
A workmanship warranty covers the quality of the installation. If a leak develops because the starter strips were installed incorrectly or flashing wasn't sealed properly, that's an installation issue — not covered by materials, but covered by workmanship.
The workmanship warranty is the more critical of the two for most homeowners. Manufacturer defects are rare; installation errors are the primary cause of roof failures in the field. The GAF Golden Pledge provides lifetime limited workmanship coverage for qualifying individual-owned detached homes, including 25 or 30 non-prorated years depending on the eligible shingles, backed directly by GAF Corporation — not just by the contractor. Learn more about our roofing services and installation standards.
Golden Pledge, Silver Pledge, and System Plus permit transfer subject to the applicable notification requirements and conditions. Coverage can change based on when the transfer occurs. Review the issued warranty rather than assuming unrestricted transfer.
The James Hardie substrate and ColorPlus warranties also transfer to the first subsequent buyer at no cost.
Warranty transferability is a documented home asset. Buyers and their home inspectors recognize a transferable manufacturer-backed workmanship warranty, and it can be a meaningful differentiator during a real estate transaction. We can provide a warranty certificate that documents remaining coverage for any prospective buyer.
With GAF's Golden Pledge or Silver Pledge, GAF Corporation itself backs the workmanship coverage under separate terms: Silver Pledge provides 10 or 15 years by eligible shingle. Golden Pledge provides lifetime limited workmanship for qualifying individual-owned detached homes, with 25 or 30 non-prorated years by eligible shingle and reduced benefits afterward. If Ridgeline ever ceased operations, GAF would still honor your warranty claim for workmanship issues.
This is one of the most important distinctions between the Golden Pledge and entry-level warranties. With a basic System Plus or contractor-only warranty, your workmanship protection exists only as long as the contractor does. The day that contractor closes, the workmanship coverage is gone.
We've been family-owned since 2012 with no plans to go anywhere. But the Golden Pledge ensures you have corporate-backed protection regardless of what happens in the future.
For GAF warranty claims: Contact GAF directly at 1-877-ROOF-411 or through gaf.com. Have your warranty certificate and installation date ready. GAF may schedule an inspection to assess the claim.
For Ridgeline workmanship issues: Contact us first. We prefer to address problems directly — it's faster and often resolves the issue without a formal manufacturer claim. Call your regional office and we'll schedule a site visit.
For James Hardie siding claims: Submit through jameshardie.com with your warranty documentation and contractor information. Preferred Contractor certification is required for the full warranty to be honored, which is why using a certified installer matters.
Keep a copy of your warranty certificate, the installation date, and any correspondence in a home file. This documentation is important if you sell the home or need to make a claim years down the road.
Standard manufacturer warranties cover product defects, not storm events. Storm damage is an insurance claim through your homeowner's policy — not a warranty claim. If you've experienced storm damage, see our storm damage repair services.
However, GAF's WindProven warranty provides unlimited wind speed coverage with no cap. This doesn't replace insurance, but it does mean that wind-related damage from the roof system failing during a storm event — rather than a debris impact — could potentially be a warranty issue rather than purely an insurance claim. WindProven is available through GAF Master Elite contractors and requires Timberline HDZ shingles.
For Gulf Coast and Florida Panhandle homeowners: Owens Corning Duration STORM shingles achieve a 130 mph wind warranty with just 4 nails (standard shingles require 6 nails for the same rating), which provides enhanced protection compared to the standard 110 mph warranty. We can walk through your specific situation and recommend the appropriate wind protection level for your area.
The most common warranty voids include:
Golden Pledge eligibility depends on the required products, installation, registration, payment, and warranty conditions. Review the applicable legal sample and your issued document.
Our workmanship warranty covers defects in our installation work. It does not cover:
Other exclusions include consequential damages (interior contents, personal property), vandalism, pest damage, mold from non-roof causes, and repairs performed by anyone other than Ridgeline. We're transparent about these limits so you know exactly what's covered. Contact us with any questions about specific coverage.
As a GAF Master Elite contractor, Ridgeline can offer Golden Pledge on qualifying systems. Serving 31 cities across AL & FL — get a free estimate and ask us which warranty tier is right for your home.