When we picked CertainTeed shingles for our house, the salesperson kept saying the roof came with a “lifetime warranty.” That’s true, as far as it goes. But once we read the fine print, we learned the CertainTeed warranty has more layers than the headline suggests.
Here’s what we found, in plain terms.
Standard SureStart Has a Time Limit
Every CertainTeed shingle comes with standard SureStart protection. During that window, CertainTeed covers materials and labor if a shingle has a manufacturing defect. For homeowners with most of its lifetime shingles, that window is 10 years.
After SureStart ends, coverage drops to shingles only, and it shrinks as the roof ages. Standard SureStart also doesn’t cover workmanship. If the install itself was done poorly, that’s on the roofer, not CertainTeed.
SureStart PLUS Is the Upgrade
CertainTeed offers extended coverage called SureStart PLUS. To get it, you need a full CertainTeed Integrity Roof System put on by a CertainTeed credentialed contractor. That system pairs the shingles with matching underlayment, starter, ridge cap, and ventilation.
SureStart PLUS comes in 3-Star, 4-Star, and 5-Star levels. On a single-family home, all three extend non-prorated coverage to 50 years for most shingles and add tear-off and disposal. The big difference is workmanship. 3-Star doesn’t include it. 4-Star covers it for 15 years, and 5-Star covers it for 30 years.
Which level you can get depends on the roofer’s credential. So ask before you sign, not after.
Why Workmanship Coverage Matters
Workmanship covers mistakes in how the roof was put on, like bad nailing or poor flashing. Without it, you’re relying on the roofer’s own promise. That promise is only as good as the company behind it.
If you might sell your home someday, ask about transfers too. CertainTeed says SureStart PLUS can transfer for 15 years at 3-Star and 20 years at 4-Star or 5-Star.
We found a helpful local overview from STX Roofing in Huffman that explains how the Integrity Roof System and SureStart PLUS fit together. It showed us which questions to ask.
The Attic Clause Surprised Us
This is the part most homeowners miss. The CertainTeed warranty treats shingles on an inadequately ventilated roof deck differently. In that case, coverage drops to 10 years, with no SureStart period at all.
That’s a big deal here. Houston attics get extremely hot in the summer. If your attic doesn’t breathe, your roof warranty may not be what you think it is. Ask your roofer to check the intake and exhaust vents before the new roof goes on.
The Wind Upgrade Has Rules Too
Many CertainTeed shingles can carry a higher wind rating. CertainTeed’s warranty page lists the conditions. The old shingles must come off, since roof-overs aren’t allowed. The roofer also has to use CertainTeed’s matching starter shingles and hip and ridge caps.
With our storm seasons, that upgrade felt worth asking about.
Our Short Checklist
Before you sign a CertainTeed contract, ask:
- Is this an Integrity Roof System, or just CertainTeed shingles?
- Which SureStart PLUS level will you register?
- Does that level include workmanship coverage?
- Will you check my attic ventilation first?
- Will I get the registered warranty in writing?
You can read CertainTeed’s own warranty breakdown for the full chart. It’s worth ten minutes before you sign anything.
