Your siding warranty, in plain English
What’s covered, for how long, and what keeps it valid.
A siding warranty is only as strong as your understanding of it. CertainTeed backs its vinyl siding with some of the best coverage in the industry, but the details change depending on who owns the home, what kind of property it is and how the siding is cared for.
Thrush & Son has installed siding across the Miami Valley since 1960, and homeowners ask us the same questions every week. This guide answers them, so you know exactly what your coverage does before you need it.
- Lifetime limited
- Transferable
- Fade protection
- Hail coverage
How long CertainTeed coverage lasts
Coverage depends on who owns the home and what kind of property it is. Here’s how most CertainTeed vinyl siding lines work. Some premium lines differ, so we always hand you the exact document for the siding on your house.
- Full coverage
- Lifetime limited
- Prorated coverage
What the siding warranty does and doesn’t cover
Most denied siding claims come down to the right-hand column.
Typically covered
- Manufacturing defectsPanels and accessories that fail because of how they were made.
- Installation labor, early onOn many CertainTeed lines, the original owner’s non-prorated period includes labor to replace defective siding.
- Excess fadingColor change beyond normal weathering, measured against a set standard, for a set number of years.
- Hail, with a catchYour homeowner’s insurance pays first. The manufacturer can cover the difference, minus your deductible and labor.
Typically not covered
- Painting or refinishingCoating over the factory finish without approval.
- Heat distortionWarping from outside heat, like a grill, or sunlight reflected off nearby windows.
- Harsh cleaningDamage from aggressive power washing or harsh chemicals.
- Improper installationNails driven too tight, missing expansion gaps or skipped steps.
- Neglect and acts of natureNormal weathering, neglect, air pollution and events like fire or flood.
Why it matters when you sell: buyers and inspectors ask about exterior warranties. A registered, transferable warranty with clean paperwork tells them the siding was installed right and is still protected. It’s a small detail that can make your home easier to sell and help you defend your asking price.
Five habits that protect your coverage
Simple upkeep that keeps a claim from being denied.
- Wash gentlyUse a soft brush or a garden hose with mild soap. If you power wash, keep it on low and spray straight on, never upward under the laps.
- Keep heat awayMove grills, fire pits and heaters well away from the wall. Watch for warping caused by sunlight bouncing off a neighbor’s windows.
- Don’t paint itVinyl siding is designed to keep its factory color. Painting over it without approval can void coverage.
- Clear the baseKeep mulch, soil and shrubs a few inches below the bottom course so moisture and pests stay out.
- Check after stormsWalk the house after high wind or hail. Small damage caught early is easier to document and replace.
Hail and your siding warranty
Spring and summer storms roll through the Miami Valley every year, and hail is hard on vinyl. Follow these steps in order to get the most help, as fast as possible.
- Document the damageTake photos of dented, cracked or punctured panels before anything is moved or replaced.
- File with your insurance firstHail claims go to your homeowner’s policy before the manufacturer.
- Request the differenceIf insurance falls short of the replacement cost, the warranty may cover the gap, minus your deductible and labor.
- Call a certified installerWe inspect, document and match your siding, so the new panels keep the coverage intact. See our storm damage services.
Register, transfer or file a claim
Everything CertainTeed needs, one click away.
Keep three things together in one folder: your contract, your final invoice and your registration confirmation. If you ever file a claim or sell the house, those are the first documents anyone will ask for.
- Register your warrantyLock in your coverage right after installation. Keep the confirmation with your contract.Register with CertainTeed →
- Transfer to a new ownerSelling your home? Transferred coverage is a selling point for buyers.Start a transfer →
- Read the full warrantyEvery CertainTeed siding line has its own document. Find yours and file claims online.CertainTeed warranty information →
Questions homeowners ask us most
Short answers. For your exact coverage, check the warranty for your siding line.
How long is a CertainTeed siding warranty?
Most CertainTeed vinyl siding carries a lifetime limited warranty for the original homeowner of a single-family home. Other owners and property types get a prorated 50-year warranty measured from the installation date.
Is a CertainTeed siding warranty transferable?
Yes. It transfers automatically to the next owner, but it becomes a prorated 50-year warranty from the original installation date. Subsequent owners typically get full coverage only for the first five years after installation.
Does the siding warranty cover hail damage?
Partly. You file with your homeowner's insurance first. CertainTeed may then cover the difference between the replacement cost and what insurance paid, not including your deductible or labor.
What voids a siding warranty?
Common causes are painting over the factory finish without approval, heat distortion from grills or reflected sunlight, aggressive power washing, improper installation and neglect.
Do I need to register my siding warranty?
Registration is the best way to protect your coverage. We can register it for you, or you can register online with CertainTeed and keep the confirmation with your contract.
Comparing roofing coverage too? See all of our warranties, or read the CertainTeed siding FAQs.
