Siding Warranties Compared: What's Actually Covered
Lifetime warranties that aren't, transferability, and labor coverage.
Siding warranties advertise 'lifetime' and 'limited lifetime' coverage prominently — but the fine print reveals significant exclusions, prorated coverage that drops sharply, and limited transferability that affects resale value.
What's actually covered
Material defects (manufacturer warranty): typically 30-50 years for vinyl, 30 years for fiber cement, 50 years for engineered wood. Often prorated after year 5-10.
Finish/fade warranty: separate from material warranty. 10-25 years depending on product. Often excludes dark colors and high-UV exposures.
Workmanship warranty: from the installer, typically 1-2 years. Some manufacturer 'system' warranties extend workmanship coverage to 25 years if installed by certified contractors.
Transferability
Most siding warranties transfer once with the property (to the first subsequent owner). Many require notification within 30-60 days of sale and a transfer fee ($50-$200).
Some prorate immediately on transfer — a 'lifetime' warranty might drop to 10 years remaining once it transfers. Always read the transfer terms before a sale.