What warranty should I expect on a new roof in New Brunswick?

A new asphalt shingle roof in New Brunswick should come with two separate warranties: a manufacturer's material warranty of 25 to 50 years (depending on the shingle line) and a contractor's workmanship warranty of at least 5 years — with reputable NB roofers often offering 10 years on their labour. Understanding the difference between these two warranties, and the conditions that can void each, is essential before you sign any contract.

The manufacturer's shingle warranty covers defects in the shingle product itself — delamination, granule loss beyond normal wear, cracking from manufacturing defects. The 25-year warranty is the entry-level on architectural (dimensional) shingles; impact-resistant and premium product lines carry 30, 40, or 50-year warranties. Here is the critical catch: these warranties are heavily prorated after the first 10–15 years, meaning the replacement value you would receive on a claim in year 20 is a fraction of the original cost. Read the fine print before choosing a shingle based on warranty length alone.

Manufacturer warranties are also voided by installation errors, and this is where NB homeowners need to pay attention. Common voiding conditions include: installing over more than one existing shingle layer, improper nail placement or inadequate fastener count, inadequate attic ventilation (below the 1:150 ratio the manufacturer specifies), and failure to use compatible accessories — underlayment, ice-and-water shield, ridge cap — from the same manufacturer's system. Owens Corning, GAF, IKO, and BP all have preferred contractor programs that allow installers to offer enhanced warranty coverage (often called TotalProtection, System Plus, or similar) only when the full system is installed correctly. These enhanced warranties extend to 25+ years non-prorated coverage and are significantly more valuable than the base warranty.

The workmanship warranty from your contractor is in many ways more practically important than the manufacturer's warranty, because most post-installation problems — leaks at flashings, improper ice-and-water shield placement, ridge vent issues — are installation errors, not material defects. A 2-year workmanship warranty is the minimum you should accept; 5 years is standard for reputable NB roofers; 10 years signals a contractor who stands behind their work. Ask explicitly what the warranty covers and how warranty claims are handled — some contractors have gone out of business by the time you need them, so longevity and reputation in the local NB market matters alongside the warranty term.

NB's climate creates specific warranty considerations. Ice damming damage is often a point of contention — manufacturers may claim the damage resulted from ventilation inadequacy (your problem) rather than a shingle defect. Having documentation of your attic ventilation — photos taken during installation, the contractor's ventilation assessment — protects you in any warranty dispute. Similarly, hail damage in NB (the province sees periodic severe weather events, particularly in the greater Moncton and Fredericton areas) is a manufacturer warranty exclusion unless you purchased an impact-resistant Class 4 shingle product.

What to get in writing before the job starts: the specific shingle product, line, and warranty term; the manufacturer's warranty registration process (most require online registration within 30–60 days of installation — your contractor should handle this or confirm you do it); the contractor's workmanship warranty term and what it covers; the process for warranty claims including who to contact and expected response time.

Metal roofing — which is increasingly popular in NB given its superior performance through freeze-thaw cycles — carries substantially different warranty terms. Standing seam metal roofs typically carry 30–50 year paint warranties from the steel manufacturer and 10–25 year contractor workmanship warranties, reflecting the longer product lifespan. The upfront cost of $15,000–$35,000 for metal versus $8,000–$18,000 for asphalt on a typical NB home makes the per-year cost more comparable than the sticker price suggests.

Always confirm your roofing contractor carries liability insurance and WorkSafeNB coverage before signing anything — these protect you from liability during the job, independent of any post-completion warranty consideration. Get 3+ quotes, compare warranty terms as carefully as pricing, and do not hesitate to ask prospective roofers for references from jobs they completed 5+ years ago.

---

Looking for experienced contractors? The New Brunswick Construction Network connects homeowners with qualified professionals:

• Thirty Four Renovations
• Gionetterenovations