Choosing the right building cladding products is crucial to ensure you have a high-quality protective layer on the external surface of your building or construction project.
This is why, when it comes to cladding, builders, architects and construction professionals typically consider multiple factors, including:
- the degree of thermal insulation
- weather resistance
- overall appearance
However, one thing you must never overlook is a cladding product’s warranty.
Cladding warranties give you the confidence that you’re getting the best value for your budget, while also providing you with peace of mind that the cladding products will stand the test of time.
Since cladding is a long-term decision for any property, it’s necessary to select cladding products that are guaranteed to deliver excellent results – today and long into the future.
In this article, let’s discuss the 6 questions you should ask (or perhaps insist on!) in relation to warranties on cladding products.
The importance of warranties on cladding products
Cladding products are offered with warranties to reassure customers like you that they are free from defects and will continue to be resilient for years to come.
Warranties on cladding products also safeguard you from the hassle and costs that can come with managing cladding repairs and maintenance.
Just keep in mind, though that not all cladding product warranties are the same.
For instance, Network Architectural offers our clients the Mitsubishi ALPOLIC NC/A1 cladding panel product, which is a fire-safe, fully compliant, aluminium composite cladding that comes with a 20-year FULL manufacturer’s replacement warranty that covers material, labour and rectification costs for faulty materials.
Some cladding products, however, may have warranties that are limited in scope, timeframe or benefits.
So, what should you take into account when it comes to assessing cladding product warranties? We’ve listed 6 key questions to guide you.
6 questions to ask about cladding product warranties
1. Who is providing my warranty?
Many cladding products on the market have warranties that are provided by local agents or distributors.
This may seem fine but what if they go out of business tomorrow, next week, next month or next year? Or what if they change their business name or discontinue stocking cladding lines? You don’t want any of these situations to prevent you from making a valid claim.
So, what you should do is check whether your cladding product’s warranty is backed by the right manufacturers that you can pursue if any problem occurs.
For instance, ALPOLIC NC/A1 is known for its industry-leading, 20-year full replacement manufacturer warranty that Mitsubishi themselves provide.
2. Where does my warranty come from?
All manufacturers have problems from time to time – but you want to deal with the ones who stand behind their products, stand behind their agents and distributors, and ultimately, stand beside you if there is ever a problem.
So, ask yourself this question: “Am I confident that the manufacturer of my cladding products will stand beside me to resolve any possible issue I may have in the future?”
Mitsubishi’s ALPOLIC brand has been around for over 50 years and has been proven in Australian conditions for over 30 years.
This reflects Mitsubishi’s credible reputation and lasting commitment as a cladding manufacturer to provide the highest standards of quality and service when it comes to their products.
3. What does my warranty include and exclude?
While it may seem daunting, take the time to completely read cladding warranties so you’re aware of all their inclusions and limitations.
In fact, it’s much better if your manufacturer warranty does not include a number of exemption clauses that can put you at a disadvantage.
Unfortunately, while some cladding warranties will cover the panel, they won’t cover the labour to remove and replace them. This puts you at a potential loss.
At Network Architectural, we take pride in offering Mitsubishi ALPOLIC NC/A1 because of its warranty’s full coverage, which includes material, labour and rectification costs for faulty materials.
Mitsubishi, through providers and suppliers like us, ensures that, if you have to make a warranty claim, you have the assistance you need to take existing panels off and effectively put new ones on – all at no cost to you.
4. Do I need to keep records of cleaning and maintenance of panels to maintain my warranty?
Most cladding product warranties will insist on keeping records of your cleaning and maintenance procedures for the life of the warranty in order to remain valid. If this is not done, your cladding product warranties may become void.
Not all manufacturers will insist on this but it’s always worth the effort to check, especially if you need to comply accordingly.
With Mitsubishi ALPOLIC NC/A1, the cladding product warranty has no cleaning or ongoing maintenance clauses.
5. Do the products I am using have 100% traceability?
100% traceability can assist the cladding manufacturer in identifying any issue that may occur with their supplied products, allowing you to make a warranty claim more easily.
A good example is ALPOLIC NC/A1 – every single panel has a unique code. If, for some reason, someone files a complaint with their cladding solution, Mitsubishi can efficiently track all products produced in the same batch.
As referenced by the new Australian Standard 5344, all cladding products should have permanent identification markings (not stickers) so that they can be 100% traceable back through the production process.
Unfortunately, this is not always the case. There are many cladding products sold in the Australian market that fall short of this basic ‘good practice’ manufacturing.
6. Should I get a sample copy of the warranty before I place my order?
Absolutely! It is your right to see a copy of the ‘typical’ warranty document that will be available at the end of your project.
Furthermore, this is your opportunity to raise any questions or concerns you have – not only with the cladding product but also the warranty that comes with it.
Just make sure to get a manufacturer warranty as an agent’s or distributor’s warranty may not give you sufficient protection. Obtaining all the manufacturer’s details you need right from the start can also be helpful along the way.
Be mindful of suppliers and manufacturers who do not, or will not, provide this information.
Fortunately, you can rely on established manufacturers like Mitsubishi and suppliers like our team at Network Architectural to always offer a copy of the cladding warranty.
How to ensure you’re getting the right warranty
If you’re concerned about your cladding warranty or looking for the right cladding solution with a manufacturer warranty, then you’ve come to the right place.
As always, it’s best to seek the expertise of a trusted and well-established cladding supplier that can provide you with the highest standard of cladding products.
At Network Architectural, we provide a large range of cladding products, all backed by large and reputable companies that provide manufacturer warranties like Mitsubishi.
For further information on our cladding offers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
