Is the CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty Worth It?

Most homeowners assume a new roof automatically comes with full protection, but that assumption can get expensive fast. When it comes to CertainTeed, not all roofing warranties are created equal, and the difference between tiers can mean thousands in unexpected costs. 

So, is the CertainTeed 5 star warranty worth it? This top-tier coverage isn’t standard; it’s unlocked, and understanding how it works is what separates a protected investment from a risky one.

This guide breaks down exactly what the 5-star warranty includes, what it doesn’t, and whether it makes sense for your specific situation.

What the CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty Actually Is (And What It Isn't)

Most homeowners assume the CertainTeed warranty comes automatically with the shingles. It does not, and the gap between what they think they have and what they actually have can cost thousands.

The SureStart PLUS 5-Star Warranty is an upgraded, contractor-unlocked warranty tier that bundles both labor and material coverage into a single protection package. Within the CertainTeed system, the 5-Star tier is unlocked by hiring a SELECT ShingleMaster-certified contractor. The 5-Star Protection warranty goes further by including the cost of labor to remove and replace defective materials, which is often the larger expense in any roofing claim.

To access this tier, your roof must be installed by a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster-certified contractor—not just any licensed roofer, nor even a basic ShingleMaster. The SELECT ShingleMaster designation sits at the top of CertainTeed's contractor certification ladder and is required specifically to unlock 5-Star coverage.

Understanding this hierarchy matters because, according to Rooflink's updated 2024 data, asphalt shingles account for approximately 73% of the U.S. residential roofing market. That market dominance means millions of homeowners are receiving a CertainTeed warranty without knowing which tier they have, and most assume they have more coverage than they do.

The base SureStart warranty provides meaningful protection, but it is time-limited on labor and does not carry the same non-prorated coverage window. The 5-Star Protection warranty is the premium tier, and its value depends entirely on how it is obtained and installed.

What the CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty Covers — And What Can Void It

So, what does the 5-Star warranty CertainTeed offers cover? Long story short, it covers non-prorated material costs for 50 years and workmanship (labor) for 25 years of the SureStart PLUS 5-Star Protection window. Wind resistance coverage and algae resistance coverage are also bundled into the 5-Star Protection warranty when applicable products are installed as part of a complete CertainTeed system.

What the warranty does not cover is where most homeowners get caught off guard. Several circumstances can void coverage entirely. Working with a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster contractor is what makes the full 5-Star system enforceable, and understanding that certification is essential before you sign anything.

• Non-certified contractor installation: If your roofer is not a SELECT ShingleMaster, the 5-Star tier is simply not available, regardless of what they tell you. This is not a technicality; it is the core reason contractor certification exists.

• Mixed-brand systems: Using non-CertainTeed underlayment, ventilation, or accessory products can disqualify the warranty.

• Improper ventilation: Inadequate attic ventilation accelerates shingle failure and is a recognized void trigger.

• Incorrect installation sequence: Components must be installed in the proper order and combination.

• Failure to register: The warranty must be formally registered after installation to be enforceable.

Questions to Ask Your Contractor Before Signing

Protect yourself by asking these questions directly before any contract is signed:

• Are you a CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certified contractor?

• Will you register my warranty with CertainTeed after installation is complete?

• Are you installing a full CertainTeed system, or mixing brands on underlayment or accessories?

• What happens to my warranty coverage if your company closes or changes ownership?

• How do I file a claim if a problem arises, and who is my point of contact?

• Can you provide written confirmation of which warranty tier my installation qualifies for?

These are buyer protection questions, not confrontational ones. Any reputable contractor will answer them without hesitation.

RELATED: What to Ask a Roofing Contractor: 7 Questions

CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty Cost vs. What You Actually Get

The CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty is not a line item you add to an invoice. The cost is embedded in the installation itself, specifically in hiring a SELECT ShingleMaster contractor, who typically commands a higher labor rate than uncertified or lower-tier roofers. The real cost comparison is between a standard installation and a SELECT ShingleMaster installation that unlocks 5-Star coverage.

Homeowner Situation	Standard Warranty Path	5-Star Warranty Path	Verdict
Staying 10+ years	Material coverage only; labor costs out of pocket	Non-prorated labor + material coverage	Strong case for 5-Star
Selling within 2-3 years	May be sufficient	Transferability is the key factor	Evaluate resale value impact
Budget-constrained	SureStart PLUS still offers solid protection	Higher upfront cost, greater long-term value	Honest tradeoff
Complex or steep roof	High labor costs if problems arise	Labor coverage offsets significant out-of-pocket risk	Strong case for 5-Star

For homeowners asking whether the CertainTeed 5-Star warranty is worth it, the answer hinges on time horizon. Long-term homeowners benefit most from non-prorated labor coverage. For those approaching a sale, the warranty's transferability can be a meaningful selling point, given local market conditions and buyer expectations.

The Requirements Contractors Must Meet to Offer It

Earning SELECT ShingleMaster certification is not a simple registration process. To meet the CertainTeed 5-star warranty requirements, contractors must demonstrate installation volume thresholds, complete required product training, and install complete CertainTeed systems with full product compliance — learn more about CertainTeed shingle quality and why full-system compliance matters.

This structure benefits homeowners directly. The certification process functions as a quality filter before a single shingle is ever installed on your roof. Basic ShingleMaster status exists as an intermediate tier, but only SELECT ShingleMaster certification unlocks the 5-Star Protection warranty tier. For homeowners comparing CertainTeed product options, understanding that distinction determines which warranty path is even available to them.

Restoration Roofing Co. holds the CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster certification — the top tier of CertainTeed's contractor program — which allows them to offer exclusive 25-year labor warranties to homeowners. That access is not incidental; it is the direct result of meeting CertainTeed's most rigorous contractor standards. For a homeowner choosing between contractors, verifying this status before signing is one of the clearest protection steps available.

The certification requirement is itself a warranty protection mechanism. When a contractor qualifies for SELECT ShingleMaster status, they have already demonstrated the training and installation standards that make the warranty coverage meaningful. Choosing a contractor who cannot offer 5-Star coverage is not just a warranty downgrade; it is a signal of overall installation quality standards.

So, Is CertainTeed 5-Star Warranty Worth It?

Whether the CertainTeed 5-Star shingle warranty is worth it depends on four factors: your roof's complexity, your climate, your timeline, and your contractor.

• Long-term homeowner in a harsh climate: This is the strongest case for CertainTeed 5-Star Protection. Non-prorated labor and material coverage over a decade or more directly offsets the real cost of weather-driven failures in regions with high wind, heavy snow, or sustained heat cycles.

• Homeowner planning to sell within five years: The 5-Star warranty is transferable, which can be a tangible selling point. Whether the added installation cost is recouped through resale value depends on your market, but warranty documentation signals quality to buyers. Evaluating whether the CertainTeed 5-Star warranty is worth it here means weighing the transferability benefit against the SELECT ShingleMaster labor premium.

• Budget-constrained homeowner: The standard SureStart PLUS coverage still provides meaningful protection. If the SELECT ShingleMaster labor premium is not feasible, prioritizing quality installation over artificially reaching the 5-Star tier is the more honest path.

• Complex or steep roof: Greater installation complexity leads to higher labor costs for any future repair. Without labor warranty coverage, a single significant claim can be a major expense, making this one of the strongest arguments for the full 5-Star coverage path.

Restoration Roofing Co. is family-owned and brings deep Maryland roots to every project, including detailed knowledge of local weather patterns that affect long-term shingle performance. That regional expertise is part of what makes the CertainTeed 5-Star warranty worth it in practice — it is not just a certificate on the wall, it is a contractor who understands exactly what your roof will face year after year.

If you're looking for a roofing contractor in Maryland and want to know whether your roof qualifies for CertainTeed 5-Star Protection, contact us for a free, no-pressure roof quote from a certified SELECT ShingleMaster contractor.