Manufacturer Warranties vs. Workmanship Warranties: What's the Difference?
Every Tulsa homeowner who signs a roofing contract is handed two very different documents, and confusing them is the most common — and most expensive — mistake in the industry. A manufacturer warranty (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, Atlas) covers the material itself: premature granule loss, manufacturing defects, algae staining, and in many cases wind-speed ratings up to 130 mph or more. These typically run 25–50 years for architectural shingles and are registered to the original homeowner. A workmanship warranty, by contrast, covers the labor: leaks caused by improper nailing, bad flashing, skipped underlayment, or ventilation mistakes. It is the contractor's promise that the installation was done right.
Here is the part most Tulsa homeowners never hear: Oklahoma law only requires contractors to warrant their workmanship for 1 year. That means a roof can leak at month 14, and the contractor is legally off the hook. Proof Construction writes a 3-year workmanship warranty — three times the state minimum — into every contract, in writing, at no cost. When you combine it with the manufacturer's material warranty, you get two independent layers of protection: one for the product, one for the installation.
What Tulsa Roof Warranties Cover — and the Gaps to Watch For
Coverage sounds simple until you read the exclusions. Manufacturer warranties typically cover material defects but do not cover: storm damage (that is an insurance claim, not a warranty claim), improper installation by a non-certified contractor, lack of maintenance, attic ventilation failures, and modifications made after installation. Workmanship warranties cover installation errors but do not cover: hail and wind damage, aging, or damage caused by trees, animals, or foot traffic. Understanding these boundaries matters because Tulsa's hailstorms are the number one reason roofs fail before their warranty term — which is why we document damage forensically and help homeowners file insurance claims when the cause is weather, not materials.
There are two coverage features worth asking for in Tulsa's climate. First, wind-speed ratings: Oklahoma wind and hail events routinely exceed 90 mph, so a shingle rated for 110–130 mph wind is dramatically more likely to survive — and to keep your warranty valid after a storm. Second, labor-and-material (L&M) coverage: premium manufacturer warranties cover both the replacement shingles and the labor to install them. Proof Construction installs Owens Corning systems that qualify for these upgraded warranties, and we register every warranty with the manufacturer before we leave the job.
Transferability, the Proof Warranty Stack, and How Claims Work
Transferability when you sell. Most manufacturer warranties transfer once to a new homeowner, usually within 30–90 days of closing, sometimes for a small fee and with proof of registration. A transferable warranty is a genuine selling point — Tulsa real estate agents routinely use it in listing disclosures. Proof Construction's workmanship warranty transfers to the new owner too: call (918) 734-4444 with the original paperwork and we'll process the transfer so the buyer keeps the same 3-year protection.
How the stack works. On a Proof Construction roof you carry two warranties that never overlap-cover the same loss twice: the manufacturer backs the shingles (25–50 years, registered in your name), and we back the installation (3 years, in writing). If a leak is caused by a nail that missed the deck, that's ours. If a shingle loses granules at year 8, that's the manufacturer's. One roof, two responsible parties, zero finger-pointing.
Filing a claim is simple. Call (918) 734-4444 or use our contact form with your estimate and warranty paperwork. We schedule a free inspection, photograph and document the issue, determine which warranty applies, and — when it's a material defect — file the manufacturer claim on your behalf and manage the adjuster process. Most Tulsa-area warranty inspections are completed within a week, and we back every repair or replacement we make under warranty with the same written 3-year workmanship guarantee.
Roof Warranty Questions? Call (918) 734-4444
Buying a new roof, transferring a warranty, or unsure whether a repair is covered? Get the straight answer before you sign anything — we'll review your warranty paperwork for free.
- 3-year workmanship warranty — 3x the Oklahoma minimum, in writing, on every install
- Manufacturer warranties registered — Owens Corning Preferred Contractor, CIB #80004070
- Transferable coverage — we process ownership transfers for buyers and sellers
- We file manufacturer claims for you — documented, photographed, and managed end-to-end
Roof Warranty FAQ — Tulsa
Quick Answers
Manufacturer vs. workmanship: Manufacturer covers materials for 25–50 years; workmanship covers installation. Oklahoma's minimum is 1 year — Proof gives 3.
Transferable? Yes — most manufacturer warranties and Proof's workmanship warranty transfer once to a new owner.
Need to file a claim? Call (918) 734-4444 — free inspection, we file manufacturer claims on your behalf. Request a warranty review →
A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the roofing materials themselves — shingle granule loss, premature aging, or manufacturing failure — and is backed by companies like GAF or Owens Corning for 25–50 years. A workmanship warranty covers the installation labor: leaks caused by improper nailing, flashing, or installation errors. Oklahoma only requires contractors to warrant workmanship for 1 year; Proof Construction provides a 3-year workmanship warranty in writing on every roof we install.
Proof Construction's 3-year workmanship warranty covers installation-related defects on roofs we install or repair — including nail pops, improper flashing, seam failures, and leaks traced to our installation work. It is 3x Oklahoma's 1-year statutory minimum, it is provided in writing at no cost, and it stacks with the manufacturer's material warranty so you have both layers of protection.
Most manufacturer warranties (GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed) are transferable to a new owner once, usually within 30–90 days of the home sale, and may require a small fee plus proof of registration. Proof Construction's workmanship warranty can also be transferred to the new homeowner — contact us at (918) 734-4444 with your original paperwork and we will process the transfer so the buyer gets the same coverage.
Common warranty voids include unapproved modifications or additions to the roof, installation by a non-certified contractor, lack of required maintenance (such as cleaning gutters or replacing worn flashing), and unrepaired damage that worsens over time. Proof Construction documents our work and provides maintenance guidance so your GAF or Owens Corning manufacturer warranty stays valid for its full term.
Call (918) 734-4444 or use the contact form with your original estimate and warranty paperwork. We schedule a free inspection, photograph and document the issue, determine whether it falls under the manufacturer warranty or our workmanship warranty, and file the claim with the manufacturer on your behalf. Most Tulsa-area warranty inspections are completed within a week.