Pittsburgh, PALawsuits have been filed against CertainTeed Corporation, alleging the company manufactured and sold defective roofing shingles. The lawsuits allege CertainTeed is guilty of breach of warranty, negligence, breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation because the shingles are deteriorating much sooner than they should be.
The shingles in question are all deteriorating in similar patterns including cracking, curling, cracking, pitting, leaking, blistering, balding and degranulation. Cracking occurs when the shingles crack down the middle, making a home vulnerable to water damage. Curling occurs when shingles curl around the edges, which can also lead to water damage. Degranulation occurs when the tiny pebbles on the shingles fall off the shingles and into the house's gutters. All problems noted in the lawsuits can result in damage to a person's home.
Although CertainTeed's shingles are covered by a 25-year warranty, in many cases homeowners may have lost their papers or homes have been sold and paperwork not transferred. Furthermore, the warranty likely only covers a portion of the cost of new shingles because most roofing warranties are prorated and do not cover the cost of labor. Customers with defective shingles could be out a lot of money if their shingles fail after ten years or more. In such cases, the warranty might only cover a few hundred dollars for a job that could easily cost thousands of dollars.
Plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit can recover not only the full price of new shingles but also any associated labor costs plus any damages caused by defective shingles.
Lawsuits filed against CertainTeed, allege that the company "maliciously concealed or suppressed the facts" about its shingles, with the intention of defrauding customers. Furthermore, the lawsuits argue that homes in similar areas that have the same brand of shingle are all experiencing the same problems. Plaintiffs allege that CertainTeed failed to properly test its shingles before selling them. They also claim that the company was aware of premature deterioration of the shingles but continued to sell them and neither recalled the shingles nor informed the public of their problems.
The defective shingles have resulted in damage to roofs, wallboard, walls and ceilings, plaster and underlying felt. The shingles have been sold under a number of brand names including Horizon, Hallmark, CertainTeed, and Independence.
CertainTeed shingles come with a 25-year warranty; however, many homeowners say their shingles are falling apart after only 12 years. The Horizon Shangle, one of the defective shingles, is an "organic" shingle made with cardboard covered by asphalt. Newer shingles now use a fiberglass core.
One company, Pacific Coast Building Products, which formerly manufactured CertainTeed shingles, agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the Washington state attorney general by reimbursing customers who bought Horizon Shangles. Complainants in that case noted that the shingles cracked and curled but the company did not fix the problem.
Roofs can be very expensive and when people roof their homes, they do not expect to have to redo the job in the near future. Although defective shingles are likely covered by a warranty, that warranty will only cover a fraction of the cost of replacing the shingles. A lawsuit may be the only way to recover the cost of the defective shingles and the full cost of installing the new shingles.
If you are a homeowner, commercial building owner or represent a homeowner's or town home association and have suffered damages in this defective shingle case, please contact a lawyer involved in a possible [CertainTeed Lawsuit] who will review your case at no cost or obligation.
I worked for both CertainTeed and GAF and just to let you know all roofing manufactures will do their best to weasel out of the claim. I remember having claims rejected for obviously defective shingles saying they were not nailed on the nail line. One of the companies had a class action law suit against them and the territory manager had to testify under oath how claims were handles. He told the truth and they soon after that fired him.
Posted by Eric Roh
on
Sh*tty Schaper Roofing installed CertainTeed shingles this year and low and behold, the granules are coming off fast and furious.
This is aside from all the leaks we have had because of shoddy workmanship.
Posted by Lesley Pugh
on
Has anyone out there been denied new shingles under the CertainTeed warranty because of their "SureStart Period"? I am curious to know if there is another class action lawsuit against them? They made a faulty product that had a 25 year warranty, so in my mind they should stand behind their 25 year warranty no matter what! If anyone know of yet another class action lawsuit against CertainTeed because of the "SureStart Period" please let me know.
Posted by Randy Hellenbrand
on
Three of my neighbors have this problem. The shingles on the south of each house lost their stones and curled. I live in south central WI. and looked at 2 of the houses. The contractors all applied the shingles exactly per the installation instructions on the back of the bundle wrappers. FYI, I roofed for 30 years. I am curious which lumber yards sold these shingles as well. I have no doubt that some of the larger chains, like Menards up here, would have heard about the problem as well.
Posted by Carolyn
on
Had CertainTeed Landmark*30 M Moire Black shingles installed on our house in December 2008. Granules have all come off and fiberglass is showing through the shingles all over my roof. We thought it was hail damage, but ins adjuster said it was manufacturers defect. Initiated claim through in August 2015 with CertainTeed. Although our shingles are 30 year shingles and were only 7 years old when the problem was noticed, they are only offering to cover a small percentage of the shingle replacement cost. Nothing towards other materials and/or labor are being covered. Will never purchase CertainTeed again. They are very abrupt over the phone, as well. Don't seem to care for their customers. I am wondering if my shingles are part of any class action suit that CertainTeed is not telling me about?
Posted by Patti Faulkner
on
We had roof installed in July 2005 and was told by roofer that they were Certainteed Landmark shingles. We have lost most of the granulars off the roof so I sent in a claim. Shipped two shingles us pictures. They called and said they were not their shingles because there was no identifying tape on back saying Certainteed. My roofer said all he used were Certainteed. Does anyone know if they used identifying tape back in 2004-2005? I have researched and cannot find any info about when they started identifying the backside of there shingles. Appreciate any help! Thanks
Posted by Sherrie Johnson
on
I got a new roof on my house in 2008 with Horizon shingles and now my roof is leaking in several spots because the shingles have curled. I am highly disappointed with these Horizon shingles. Theses shingles were suppose to be 30 year roofing shingles and they have only lasted 8 years.
Posted by joe
on
i need two gaf weather wood shingles to send in to gaf for the class action claim. i had to have my roof replaced because of the cracking and the contractor did not save any of my shingles, gaf wants me to send them two shingles, can anyone help me out? thanks Joe.
Posted by Gaile Hileman
on
America! Our homes are our most important and valuable purchases in our lifetime. It is offensive that companies like Certainteed provide worthless warranties they know they will not honor.
Not only do shingles deteriorate but chemicals that are used as algae inhibitors damage aluminum gutters but also leach into our soil and contaminate our plants. This becomes an environmental issue. This has got to STOP! It can only be stopped by people who are willing to do something about it by affecting LEGISLATION to make companies take responsibility.
Posted by Renee Peugh
on
OH, WHERE TO BEGIN WITH CERTAINTEED (WHICH PROVIDE LESS THAN CERTAINLY GOOD PRODUCTS)? I LIVE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT WAS BUILT DURRING THE BIG HOUSING BOOM IN THE MID 2000'S. EVERY HOME IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IS GETTING A BRAND NEW ROOF. REPLACED BY CERTAINTEED EXCEPT MINE. I AM THE 3RD OWNER OF THE HOME. CERTAINTEED'S WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE THIRD HOME OWNER. SO EVEN THOUGH THIS COMPANY HAS CONSISTENTLY PRODUCED DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS (SEE THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FOR BOTH SIDING, FIBERGLASS AND ORGANIC PRODUCTS). I AM HIGH AND DRY. I AM INTERESTED IN FILING A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT TO REQUIRE THIS MAKER OF DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS COVER ANY HOMEOWNER (1ST, 2ND OR 10TH) WITH IN THE WARRANTY PERIOD. FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND OWNER OF MY HOME, THE WARRANTY WAS 30 YEARS. I HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OTHER OPTIONS AND APPEALS.
Posted by Colby Wilson
on
Our roof was put on in 2007 roofing material CertainTeed Landmark color Mountain Timber. We were told in January 2016 the roof was bad and it needed to be replaced, it is only 9 years old. Most of the granules are gone. We started a claim with CertainTeed. The paperwork for the claim was never mailed to us. We started another claim online and contacted the CertainTeed sales Rep. Still waiting. CertainTeed Landmark should back the 30 Year warranty they guarantee on their product. I think they just ignore their customers.
Posted by Cincinnati Ohio
on
A beautiful roof outside after 15 years, however, take a close look. The wood under the shingle is soft and sinking from loss of gravel down to the tar paper around most the edges. I always wondered why there was so much gravel in the gutters.
Until we had an engineer look at the roof and tell us our water issues were not from a hail storm, they were actually from the dimensional shingle, I would never have believed it. We even purchased $7k - new gutters thinking our issues were from 4" gutters... not!
After the engineer left and I called the manufacturer for help, I was told to take pieces of the roof and send them to CertainTeed. A roofer charged me $75 for services call and said the entire roof needs to be removed and new wood needs to be installed. We paid $4k just for the Shingles 15 years ago which did not include the labor.
Posted by DAVE JAENICKE
on
WARNING!!!DEFECTIVE CERTAINTEED ARCHITECTURAL FIBERGLASS ROOFING SHINGLES WARNING!!! Installed CertainTeed Landmark shingles on our new home 9/2008. Defective shingles started failing early with MASSIVE GRANULAR LOSS. Now less than 6 years this roof has to be replaced!! White fiberglass patches showing from the shingle base throughout the roof.
Posted by Hobi Lambert
on
Started new build in June 2012 moved in Feb 2013 used the cement board siding. So in Feb 2015 noticed cracks (could have had cracks before but hadn't noticed) in the siding also used a customer paint and of course the paint was guaranteed 50 years. The paint is peeling at the ends of the siding. We had contractor remove and replace the cracked siding. Then a few months go by and more cracks and it is starting to slip down. What a joke! Can't understand that the reps and supplier don't tell you up front that the siding you have chosen has a law suit-and that its been going on for years. We would never have chosen this crap! So spread the word about Certainteed how there products are not what they are cracked up to be.
Posted by Jeff Jones
on
I got 12 years out of my 50yr presidential before it failed.. their opening comment to me was too bad you didn't find this 2 yrs. ago.. we would have covered it 100%.. everyone from their Rep to to the roof tech to the gal in the claims dept. are the worst at returning calls that i have ever dealt with.. i had to get an attorney to call them... Hmmm a 50 yr. roof with a 10 year warranty .. now there's confidence in your product!!
Posted by Frances Nash
on
I bought my new home less than 8 years ago and my CertainTeed Shingles are defective. My insurance company and a roofing company came out and gave us the bad news. We have compelted a claim form and sent them shingles and pictures. I really hope they stand by their product and replace our roof. Our roof is not the only roof on our street that is defective. We live outside the Oklahoma City Area.
Posted by truline Roofing
on
At truline Roofing we have helped a number of our clients who have had the Certainteed shingle installed. If you're in the S.E. and more specifically the Carolinas we can help you with your Certainteed issues.
this is not surprising. If you installed there vinyl siding products that will be you next issue. Don't hold up if your house is in the sun and there warranty department personal thinks a j-channel is the same as were boats travel to port.
They do not stand by there warranty.
Posted by Maureen Amato
on
I live in Quincy,MA. Anyone in the Northeast having issues with these shingles also??
I had a roof put on 2006-I'm still paying a loan for it via the city who has a lien on my house for this loan.
2 yrs ago a whole side of my roof came off -now the other side is losing shingles, I had to pay out of pocket for the roof to be resided in 2013 I paid a guy to repair again this year and need more repairs.
I've contacted the original roofer,the BBB &Certainteed,no financial help. The city of Quincy won't waive the balance on my loan so I need a lawyer pro bono-any suggestions from anyone? Please we need to get CertainTeed for this.
Please email me if you want to
Posted by Genny
on
I forgot to mention the problem with the fiberglass shingles is that they curl and wave.
Posted by Genny
on
Does any one have fiberglass shingles from Certainteed? I do & a couple of years later they were leaking and my ceiling is all spotted from the water damage.I was told by Certainteed there was nothing wrong with the shingles. I send in pictures, paper work, and 3 shingles that were put on a computer by certainteed and received a letter stating they were fine and they expand and contract with the weather. Does any one know if these shingles are also in the law suit, and how to get help for the fiberglass shingles. I am from Ohio.
Posted by David Zupan
on
I have dealt with Certainteed more that I care to admit. If anyone is still having roofing problems and in the Commonwealth of VA, please feel free to contact me. I can refer you to someone who has help me!
BTW, GAF is definitely the way to go! And, no, I do not work for them.
david.zupan@gmail.com
Posted by Deb Ennis
on
We were told by our insurance company that our leaking roof is from defective shingles. We have water damage on the inside because of it..don't know what to do
Posted by Ed Hanley
on
Same here (John Pesch), we live in Minnesota and also have defective Certainteed roof shingles.
Here is the web site I found to submit a claim...
http://www.certainteedshinglesettlement.com/index.cfm
But it looks like the deadline has passed.
I was just told about this CertainTeed defect today when I had a roofing friend of mine look at my roof. My friend said I have the issue noted in this class action law suit.
Posted by Ed Hanley
on
Same here (John Pesch), we live in Minnesota and also have defective Certainteed roof shingles. I would also like to join any active class action lawsuit.
Posted by David Richter
on
Recently had a certain teed shingle installed. The color was Colonial Slate. After installation, we found brown stain spots on the shingles. When washing the roof to see if stains came off the water running off the roof was a light color brown! The roofer has washed the roof several times trying to get rid of the stains. One stain was coffee which is almost impossible to get off. They have used a push broom to wash the roof. Will this effect the life of the shingle?
Has this been a problem with your shingles and how can it be resolved? Thank you.
Posted by Carol & John Pesch
on
We live in Minnesota and also have defective Certainteed roof shingles. Is there an active class action lawsuit we can join?
Posted by Theresa Marousek
on
Is anyone having a problem with Certainteed fiber cement siding?
When I built my garage in 2006, I chose Certain Teed fiber cement siding over vinyl siding because I had read that it was super-strong, fireproof, never needed painting and virtually maintenance free. At the time, the cost was $1,600. above the cost of vinyl, which I judged to be worth while.
A few years later, the cement boards on one side of the garage began to crack. I went to the builder, who sent me to the supplier, who sent me to the manufacturer, Certain Teed. As stated in its warranty, Certain Teed sent replacement boards, but did not cover the labor costs to replace the boards. It cost an additional $800 to have the boards replaced on the one side of the garage.
This fall, I noticed that boards on two other sides were cracking, and now the boards that I paid $800 to be replaced also are cracking. In other words, the Certain Ted fiber cement product has been
Even if Certain Teed agrees to replace all the boards on all four sides of my garage, it will cost me another $3,200. for the labor and I have absolutely no guarantee—and no faith—that the new boards will not also crack in a few years and I will be back to square 1 and out more money.
Posted by Duane K
on
Stories sound eerily familiar. We had an adjuster come out last summer to check to see if we had hail damage as other neighbors in area were replacing their shingles. He informed me I do not have hail damage but I have defective Certainteed shingles. 2 months later I get a letter from the ins company that I need to replace my roof or lose my homeowner's coverage. My roof is ten years old, I have no signs of leakage or water intrusion but now because of Certainteed I either look to replace or try to find other alternatives. Unbelievable.
Posted by Albert Hurrell
on
I found out that our roof needs to be replaced. The roof was only 17 years old but it was supposed to last for 25 years. One of the roofer who put a bid on the roof told me that there was a recall on the shingles. The shingles were cracking and curling up. I do not have any receipt on the shingles.
Posted by Eleanor McMahon
on
I called the insurance company to tell them I had hail damage to my roof. The inspector came and informed me I have CertainTeed organic shingles and they are falling apart; literally dissintegrating and no hail damage reported. Anderson Roofing of Eau Claire Wisconsin told me these are commercial shingles and have a lifetime warranty. Well, the shingles were put on in 1999 but we live in a shady area and that is what took longer for the sun to break the shingles down the inspector told me. He also gave me this website to go to. What can I do now?
Posted by Denise Bauer
on
We were told that the company does not need to contact any homeowner on these shingles. Because its not considered a recall like a defect in a automobile. I think this is wrong, and I believe all us homeowners should file lawsuits against them. Are house is 13 years old and these shingles were suppose to last 40-50'years. We don't have 5000 to fix our roof, who does these days. And now the company is out there trying to get business places to sell there singles. They have made money off of all of us and we are treated this poorly and offered a 800 dollar settlement because that is what the courts decided. Well is the courts going to pay for the remainder of the cost for each and ever one of us. This is our home not a doghouse. I am just fearing the day our house starts to leak. So let's get them to pay the whole cost of replacing there so called lifetime shingles.
Thanks,Denise
Posted by Christine McLerran
on
I am a senior widow and I purchased this house October 2011. I hired a builder to repair some missing shingles and he told me the shingles are defective and cannot be sold any more. The shingles are Certainteed Horizon. So what do I do now?
Posted by tom
on
sided my house and the siding meltsd any body else have this problem
Posted by Debbie DiLorenzo
on
I am a real estate agent, and my clients purchasing the house found that at 12 years old the roof is showing major wear. Our home inspector commented that its probably a Certain Teed Shingle. How can I get someone out to possible give us a credit for repair or replacement.
Posted by bob smith
on
Our shingles are 2 years old and the cinders are falling off leaving the raw fibers exposed. We sent in all requested information to Certainteed along with damaged shingles. They determined it was not there problem, could be hail damage, foot traffic or caused by external force. I guess we have aliens walking on our roof since our roof is not used as a recreation area. Our insurance co. said it is not hail but may be a manufacturing problem.
Typical large company, they know to sue them would cost more than replacing the roof. I will never use a Certainteed product and hope others will do there homework before buying roofing products also dumping that no good Hartford Ins. Co. (went through AARP and they gave us Hartford)
Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by Kelli Chvala
on
I am just hearing about the recall and found out the dead line was Oct. 2011 :( What can i do ...shouldn't the company be responsible for sending us a recall noticed. Through my divorce i got the house and im a single mom hardly making payments. I in no way can afford a new roof. The roof is really bad :( Can anyone help me ..............
Posted by George Busony
on
We experienced corrosion of our aluminum gutters using CertainTeed Landmark Algae resistant shingles. Warranty dated 2002 makes no mention or caution about using aluminum nor does it mention that copper granules are used in the product. CertainTeed published an addendum to their Warranty dated April 1st, 2011, containing a specific caution against using aluminum gutters with the algae resistant roofing suggesting only the use of vinyl or copper gutters. Our aluminum gutters were severly corrodid in less that seven years.......CertainTeed accepts no responsibility
Posted by Bob Waltzer
on
As a company, Certainteed sucks. I had a roof put on a new home in Pueblo, CO in January 2006. Over the last six years I have had shingles blow off everytime the wind kicks up and, trust me, the wind blows out here.
The installer came back numerous times and fixed the damage at no charge.
Finally, I sent a warranty package to Certainteed and after a long wait, got a nice formal letter back telling me to..never mind, you get the picture.
I am now looking at paying for a new roof to the tune of $12,000.
Certainteed would not even offer to pay for new shingles if I paid for labor...just, sorry about your roof.
By the way the wind is blowing 25-35 MPH right now and shingles are still trying to blow off.
Posted by shawn mccauley
on
Certainteed is freaking joke.I got 430.00 back for thirty square of shingles.Now is this a fair amount?
Posted by ed doyle feb 7th 2012
on
I filed a claim February 1st. of 2012. I have had my roof shingled with certian teed landmark weather wood. I have been reading your comments, and it looks like I'll have my hands full trying to get any type of reimburstment from Certian teed. My house is only 5yrs. old and my shingles keep slinding down the roof, all the shingles have not melted down to each other. You can walk around on the roof pick up any shingle and there not melted together. I live in Tennessee and its been hot they should have glued down by now.
Posted by Anita
on
Has anyone got any money back to replace your shingles?
Posted by William F. Borer
on
I live in southeastern North Carolina. I need a new roof and I am considering GAF and CertainTeed. The roofers I have contacted for estimates handle both companies and they both speak highly of CertainTeed. I am looking for advice. Would appreciate replies from anyone.
Thank you
Posted by Joe Neveadomi
on
We have had our new roof 3 yrs to the day and were having and addition put on , when the contractoers touched the shingles they fall apart. They also said they are disc.
Posted by E. F. Zachary
on
I had hail damage to my roof and called a roofer to check the roof and estimate repairs. He climbed up, came right back down and said sorry, you have defective shingles there is nothing we can do, you have to roof the whole house. No possibility of insurance help. I bought the house 2 years ago from an old lady with Alzheimers and she CRS about the roof being replaced, Three roofers have told me the same thing, I bought a house with bad shingles and good luck. This Certainteed company should be put out of business for this rotten trick, this is your home for godssake.
Posted by Matt Ketelsen
on
may Shingles are bad they are all curling up what do i need to do to get in the law suit
Posted by David A. Brazee
on
I had submitted a claim on 02/14/2010.I made a copy of the claim form on the same day.I haven't even gotten a courtesy follow-up call or letter from the lawyers or CertainTeed as of today.I feel as if I've been ignored through this whole process.I now have to reshingle my whole roof at a cost of over $7000.00 this summer.As another reader commented that there will not be any funds left when and if they ever get to my claim.These Lawyers are making MILLIONS of dollars off hard working people, and people like me that are retired and cannot afford to do these expensive repairs to their homes. These Lawyers & CertainTeed should be ashamed of themselves and not be allowed to continue to practice in this manner.
Posted by LESLIE M. KARHOFF,SR.
on
MR. KEECH I LIVE IN ILLINOIS AND I SENT MY PICTURES AND PAPER WORK IN BETTER THAN 6 MONTHS AGO AND EVEN CALLED THREE TIMES AND ALL I GET IS WE'RE WORKING ON IT. WAS TOLD TO JUST KEEP COVERING IT UP THEY'LL GET TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY TOLD ME THERE ARE OVER 60,000 COMPLAINTS THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH, AND OUR LUCK WE'RE ON THE BOTTOM AND THEY'LL BE OUT OF MONEY.
Posted by Richard Salomone
on
We complained to Certainteed Company back in 1999 two years after we had put on our roof. We had to sumit two shingles to the company , received a letter back from the certainteen. Of course they said there wasn't a problem with the blistering. After that the shingles started cracking.They said they would keep our complaint in there files. So I guess they did, Haven't heard a thing about this lawsuit until today December 9, 2010.
Posted by Mark Sedivy
on
we've submitted all the information back in May and we havn't heard anything else about the out comeof the law suit. Could you please let us konw when we would be getting paid for our bad shingles.
Posted by John M Keech
on
We have submitted a claim and sent in all the paperwork as well as pictures and shingle. This was done over a month ago and we have heard nothing back from Certainteed and the civil law suit.
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