What Your Window and Roofing Warranty Actually Covers (and What It Doesn’t)
, licensed contractor (CGC1531370 · CRC1331693 · CCC1333168 · SCC131153098) and founder of Bigfoot Windows & Roofing. 786-886-2088
Last updated: July 2026 by the Bigfoot Windows & Roofing editorial team.
Key Takeaways
- Every window and roofing project has two separate warranties: one from the manufacturer (covers the product) and one from the contractor (covers the installation work).
- Most homeowner claims are denied because of exclusions they never read — improper maintenance, unauthorized repairs, or acts of nature top the list.
- In South Florida’s HVHZ, the Florida Building Code sets minimum installation standards; a warranty tied to a compliant install is worth more than a warranty on a shortcut job.
- Warranty transfer policies vary widely — some transfer automatically, others require written notice within 30 days of sale.
- A contractor holding a Certified General Contractor license can handle structural scope (hurricane straps, header modifications) under one warranty umbrella — reducing the finger-pointing that voids claims.
The Real Problem
Why Most Homeowners Never Know What Their Warranty Covers Until It’s Too Late
You only discover the gaps when you need to make a claim.
A South Florida homeowner installs new impact windows. Two years later, a seal fails — condensation forms between the panes. She calls the contractor. He says it’s a manufacturer defect. She calls the manufacturer. They say the contractor’s crew broke the seal during installation. She ends up with nothing covered and a $600 repair bill she pays out of pocket.
This is not unusual. It is, in fact, the most common warranty failure pattern in the home improvement industry. Two parties each point at the other, and the homeowner — who never read the fine print — is left holding the tab.
Understanding what your warranty actually covers before you sign a contract is not paperwork busywork. It is how you protect your investment.
South Florida Context
Why Warranties Matter More in Miami-Dade and Broward Than Almost Anywhere Else
The High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — which covers Miami-Dade and Broward counties — operates under the strictest residential building code in the United States. Products installed here must carry a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance (NOA) or Florida Product Approval. If a contractor installs a product that lacks that approval, your manufacturer warranty is void before the permit is even closed.
Salt air, UV radiation, and 95-degree summer heat degrade materials faster in South Florida than in most of the country. That matters for warranty language around “normal wear and tear” — what counts as wear in Phoenix does not look the same as what happens in Hialeah after two hurricane seasons.
Florida Building Code also requires that roofing tear-offs, re-roofs, and window replacements be permitted and inspected. A warranty issued on unpermitted work is not enforceable in most cases and will trigger denial if you file a claim. Always verify your contractor pulled permits before work began.
How It Works
Manufacturer Warranty vs. Workmanship Warranty — Two Separate Protections
Conflating these two is the single most expensive mistake homeowners make.
Every home improvement project produces at least two warranties. They cover completely different things and are backed by completely different parties.
| Warranty Type | Who Backs It | What It Covers | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer Warranty | The product maker (e.g., Mr. Glass, GAF) | Defects in the product itself — glass seal failure, frame delamination, shingle manufacturing defect | 10–50 years depending on product and tier |
| Workmanship Warranty | Your installing contractor | Installation errors — improper flashing, incorrect fastener pattern, missed anchor points | 1–10 years; varies widely by contractor |
| System Warranty (Enhanced) | Manufacturer + certified installer together | Both product AND labor; requires contractor to hold a specific certification tier | Up to 50 years non-prorated (e.g., GAF System Plus) |
For impact windows installed in Miami-Dade, Bigfoot Windows & Roofing provides a 10-year workmanship warranty on all window and door installations. Mr. Glass — our primary window line — carries a 10-year product warranty on all series (effective October 2025). Those are two separate documents that work together.
For roofing, GAF’s System Plus warranty provides 50-year non-prorated coverage on shingles, labor, tear-off, and accessories — but only when an installer meets GAF’s certification requirements. Bigfoot holds GAF Silver Plus certification, which makes System Plus available to our customers. We do not currently hold Master Elite status, and we do not offer the Golden Pledge warranty — if a contractor claims Golden Pledge without documented Master Elite standing, ask for proof.
What’s Covered vs. What’s Not
Common Warranty Exclusions Homeowners Miss
| Situation | Covered? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Glass seal failure (factory defect) | ✅ Manufacturer | Defect in the insulated glass unit at the factory |
| Glass seal failure (installer broke it) | ⚠️ Workmanship only | Manufacturer excludes installer damage — your contractor must cover this |
| Frame corrosion from normal salt-air exposure | ❌ Usually excluded | “Normal wear” clause; coastal finish (2605) may be required within 2 miles of water |
| Shingle blow-off after wind event | ✅ If Wind Proven rated | GAF Wind Proven has no mph cap and is not voided by named storms in your county |
| Roof leak due to improper flashing | ✅ Workmanship | Installer error — your contractor’s workmanship warranty should cover this |
| Leak after homeowner nails satellite dish into roof | ❌ Voided | Unauthorized penetration by third party voids coverage at that location |
| Window damage from hurricane impact | ❌ Usually excluded | Impact products protect the structure — damage to the unit itself from direct impact is often excluded |
| Product installed by unauthorized contractor | ❌ Voided | Many manufacturers require their product be installed by an approved contractor |
One exclusion that catches South Florida homeowners repeatedly: the coastal finish requirement. Mr. Glass frames within approximately two miles of water must use the 2605 finish. If a contractor installs 2604 (wood grain) in a coastal zone, the 10-year product warranty is void. Ask your contractor explicitly which finish is specified on your order.
Why Contractor Credentials Matter for Warranty Claims
License Scope Determines Who Can Back What
A licensed contractor, not a lead aggregator — this distinction matters when you file a claim.
Here is why license breadth matters for warranty purposes: when a window replacement requires a structural header modification — widening an opening, adding a structural beam, or reinforcing hurricane straps — that scope falls under general contracting authority. If your window contractor does not hold a Certified General Contractor license (CGC1531370), they legally cannot perform or warranty that structural work. They subcontract it. Now you have two workmanship warranties from two different parties, and if a claim arises at the intersection of window and structure, both parties have a contractual basis to point elsewhere.
Bigfoot’s Certified General Contractor license allows us to handle structural modifications, hurricane strap work, and code-driven structural scope in-house, under a single workmanship warranty. That is not a marketing badge — it is a function of what the license authorizes.
“The most common warranty dispute I see is not about the product — it’s about who owns the installation. When one contractor touches the window and another touches the structure, you have a seam. That seam is where claims go to die.”
What We Install and Warrant
Products We Stand Behind — and the Warranties Behind Them
Bigfoot installs impact windows and doors primarily through the Mr. Glass line. Aluminum frames are our standard recommendation for South Florida — aluminum is more time-tested than vinyl in HVHZ heat, humidity, UV exposure, and hurricane-wind conditions. For projects requiring enhanced thermal performance, we specify thermally broken aluminum frames.
Mr. Glass product warranty: 10 years (effective October 2025) on all series. Our workmanship warranty: 10 years on all window and door installations. Key product notes that affect warranty validity:
- Series 350 is residential-only. We do not install it in condos, high-rise buildings, or commercial applications — doing so would void the product warranty.
- Coastal installations (within ~2 miles of water) require the 2605 aluminum finish. We specify this on every coastal job automatically.
- Miami-Dade NOA is available on the Mr. Glass Series 2500T impact door. All other Mr. Glass lines carry Florida Product Approval — required for HVHZ installation and permit compliance.
For roofing, GAF shingles carry the Wind Proven rating — no maximum mph limit, valid for 15 years, and not voided by a named storm making landfall in your county. Competitor warranties are often capped at 130 mph or include named-storm exclusions. Ask to see the warranty document before you sign any roofing contract.
Financing options for window and roofing projects, including PACE financing paid through your property tax bill, are explained on our financing page. For qualifying property owners, there may be tax benefits available — please consult your CPA.
How Warranty Claims Work
What to Do If You Need to File a Warranty Claim
A warranty is only as useful as the process for activating it. Here is what a clean claim process looks like — and where most homeowners get tripped up.
- Locate your warranty documents. You should receive a manufacturer warranty card or digital registration confirmation and a separate workmanship warranty letter from your contractor. If you do not have both, request them in writing before the project closes out.
- Identify which warranty applies. Product defect (seal, frame, shingle material) → manufacturer. Installation error (leak at flashing, window not level, anchor failure) → contractor. At the intersection → both, ideally.
- Document the issue with photos and dates. Warranty departments require evidence. A phone photo with a timestamp is better than a verbal description.
- Contact your contractor first. For workmanship claims, the contractor is your first point of contact. For product claims, many contractors will manage the manufacturer claim on your behalf — ask upfront whether they provide this service.
- Check the transfer status if you recently purchased the home. Some warranties are transferable — GAF System Plus allows transfer; Mr. Glass product warranty transfer terms should be confirmed at time of purchase. Many require written notice within a specific window (often 30 days of sale).
For permitted projects in Miami-Dade or Broward, your permit record is also a public document. It confirms the permit was pulled, inspections passed, and the work was done by a licensed contractor. If you ever need to file an insurance claim tied to a covered installation, that permit record is supporting documentation.
Have questions about what your current or upcoming project warranty actually covers?
Or request a free estimate online — no obligation.
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Who We’re Not the Right Fit For
- Homeowners seeking the absolute lowest bid. Warranty-backed, permitted, HVHZ-compliant installation costs more than a cash handshake job. If price is the only filter, we are not your lowest option — and we won’t pretend otherwise.
- Projects under $5,000 in scope. Our permitting, inspection, and documentation overhead is built for larger scopes. Small single-window replacements with no structural component may be handled more cost-effectively by a specialty glazier.
- Buyers who want a brand we don’t carry. We do not install PGT, Marvin, CGI, Andersen, Owens Corning, or CertainTeed products. If your HOA or architect has specified one of those brands, we are not the right installer.
- Projects outside Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. We are licensed and operationally focused in South Florida. We do not serve Central or North Florida and won’t quote work we can’t support properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a home improvement warranty actually cover?
It depends on which warranty you mean. A manufacturer warranty covers defects in the product itself — a failed glass seal, a shingle with a manufacturing flaw, a frame that delaminates. A workmanship warranty covers installation errors — improper flashing, missed anchor points, a window installed out of plumb. Most projects produce both. Read both documents before you sign the contract, not after something goes wrong.
How long is the warranty and who backs it?
Manufacturer warranties range from 10 years (Mr. Glass product warranty) to lifetime (some stone-coated metal roofing). Workmanship warranties are contractor-dependent — Bigfoot provides a 10-year workmanship warranty on window and door installations. GAF System Plus provides 50-year non-prorated coverage on shingles, labor, tear-off, and accessories when installed by a qualifying certified contractor. Always confirm in writing who is backing each warranty — the contractor or the manufacturer.
What is NOT covered by my warranty?
Common exclusions: damage from unauthorized third-party modifications (satellite dish penetrations, DIY caulking over flashing), normal coastal wear if the wrong aluminum finish was installed, hurricane impact damage to the window unit itself (impact products protect the structure, not necessarily the unit), and any work done without a permit. In coastal South Florida, frame finish specifications and Florida Product Approval status must both be correct or the manufacturer warranty is void.
Is the warranty transferable if I sell my house?
Some are, some aren’t. GAF System Plus is transferable. Mr. Glass product warranty transfer terms should be confirmed at the time of purchase. Most transfer policies require written notice within a short window — often 30 days of the home sale. Get the transfer policy in writing from your contractor before closing on a sale. Buyers: always ask the seller for both the manufacturer warranty and the contractor workmanship warranty as part of your due-diligence document request.
What do I do if I need to make a warranty claim?
Step one: photograph and date-stamp the issue. Step two: identify whether the problem is a product defect or an installation error — that determines who you call first. Step three: contact your contractor in writing (email creates a record). For product claims, your contractor should be able to manage the manufacturer claim on your behalf — ask upfront whether they provide this service. For permitted work in Miami-Dade or Broward, pull your permit record as supporting documentation before filing anything.
What voids a warranty?
The most common voiding events: unpermitted installation, use of an unauthorized installer for a manufacturer-approved product, unauthorized penetrations or modifications after install (a third party drilling into the roof or window frame), wrong product specification for the zone (coastal finish not used within 2 miles of water), and failure to register the warranty within the manufacturer’s required window. Always register your product warranty within 30 days of installation — most manufacturers require this step and most homeowners skip it.
Sources
- Florida Building Code — High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) requirements, Miami-Dade County product approval standards.
- GAF Roofing — System Plus and Wind Proven warranty terms (publicly available at gaf.com).
- Mr. Glass — Product warranty terms effective October 2025 (manufacturer documentation).
- Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — License verification at myfloridalicense.com.
Want to know exactly what your warranty will say before you sign? We walk every customer through both documents — manufacturer and workmanship — before a contract is executed.
Or call us directly: 786-886-2088