Siding Warranties, what are they and why should I care?
30 years, 50 years, lifetime warranties……very small print…..
We all know warranties are important but they can also be confusing.
Understanding them is crucial when investing in new siding. A warranty can protect you from unexpected repair or replacement costs, but only if you know what’s covered, for how long, and under what conditions.
Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the different parts of a siding warranty:
Understanding Siding Warranties in Canada
When you invest in siding—whether vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, or engineered wood—it often comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty gives you some peace of mind that your siding will perform as promised for a set period.
What kinds of warranties you’ll see
There are generally two types of warranties involved with siding:
TYPE ONE: Manufacturer / Product Warranty
Usually issued by: The siding product maker (vinyl, fiber-cement, wood, metal, etc.)
What it Covers: Defects in material or workmanship (cracking, warping, rotting, colour fading, etc.); sometimes resistance to hail or termites (for certain products)
Typical Duration: Can range widely — 20-50 years, “limited lifetime,” or “25 years” is common, depending on material.
TYPE TWO: Workmanship / Installation Warranty
Usually issued by: The contractor who installs the siding
What it Covers: Problems caused by how the siding was installed: loose panels, improper fastening, leaks caused by poor sealing, etc.
Typical Duration: Shorter than material warranties: often 1-5 years. Many contractors offer warranties of 5 years; some go longer.
What is and isn’t covered?
These are very common terms and exclusions that affect whether a claim will be accepted.
What you will often get:
Covers manufacturing defects (like defective boards, poor factory finish) under normal use.
Guarantees against “excessive” colour fading for some initial years.
Sometimes offers protection against hail or pest damage (depending on the product).
What’s commonly not covered or has big limitations:
Labour costs: even when the material is replaced, many warranties don’t cover labour or only cover it for a short period. For example, the James Hardie warranty covers materials but explicitly excludes labour or accessory material costs.
Improper installation or failure to follow manufacturer’s instructions (fastening, flashing, spacing, climate considerations, etc.). If you don’t use certified installers, or ignore the specs, the warranty may be voided.
Environmental damage (acts of nature, severe storms, hail, wind over certain speeds), impact damage, UV or chemical damage in some cases.
Neglect and poor maintenance: failures to keep gutters cleaned, allow water drainage, repaint/finish/etc., letting small damage propagate. Usually you must maintain the product.
Warranty transfer issues: many product warranties are non-transferable or only partly transferable, or the terms change when ownership changes.
Some examples from popular siding manufacturers
Gentek offers a Lifetime Limited Transferable Warranty on many of its vinyl siding products. Gentek Canada
Mitten offers a Lifetime Transferable Warranty for their vinyl siding products. Mitten Vinyl Siding
Maibec offers a A 25-year limited warranty against structural failures of the substrate (i.e. the engineered panel / core) — things like peeling, separating, chipping, etc. Maibec Engineered Siding
What to check / insist on, to protect yourself
When choosing siding and an installer, and before you sign anything or accept the job, make sure to:
Get the warranty in writing — both the product warranty and the installer’s workmanship warranty. Inspect exactly what they cover, what they don’t, how long, and how claims are made.
Check the fine print — installation requirements, maintenance requirements, what kind of damage or conditions are excluded, whether labour is included, whether the warranty is prorated (i.e. value declining with time) or non-prorated.
Ask about transferability — if you expect to sell the house, how will the warranty transfer, if at all.
Keep records — invoices, proof of installation (who did it, that they followed specifications), maintenance records, photos. These can be essential in making a successful claim.
Final Thought
A warranty is a helpful safety net but shouldn’t be the only factor in siding selection. Quality materials, proper installation, and regular maintenance matter just as much—especially in our Nova Scotia climate.
When a homeowner hires a siding contractor, they’re counting on the company’s expertise to help them choose the right siding product for the job. That’s why we believe that a siding contractor’s warranty for homeowners should cover both sides: quality of the workmanship AND performance of the material. After all, if a siding contractor can’t stand behind their products, should they really be selling them to clients in the first place? We don’t think so.
Before you hire any siding contractor, make sure to take a close look at their written warranty. If you’d like to take a look at ours, request a quote to set an appointment for a free consultation.
