Warranty

The finest raw materials, centuries of craftsmanship and excellence in manufacturing allow Ludowici to offer some of the finest architectural terra cotta products in the world. Ludowici products have a proven track-record of durability in all climates, from cold arctic conditions to the heat of the tropics. Ludowici fires our tile at over 2100 degrees Fahrenheit, vitrifying the glaze colors into the terra cotta tile producing a color-permanent product that will never chalk, fade or effloresce. This blend of old world craftsmanship and modern production technology allows Ludowici to stand behind our products with the best warranty in the construction products industry.

Ludowici offers two types of warranties for the terra cotta tiles produced our New Lexington, Ohio facility:

 

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75-YEAR LIMITED MATERIAL WARRANTY

This warranty is offered on new tile for completed projects produced and sold from the Ludowici factory in New Lexington, Ohio; provided that such tile is not being installed and blended with existing terra cotta tiles. The 75-year limited material warranty is provided with the purchase of each piece of new terra cotta tile and is not purchased separately.

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SHIELD WARRANTY

Ludowici’s Premium Service Program Limited Warranty (the “Shield Warranty”) covers the watertightness of the roof installation using new terra cotta tiles from Ludowici. The Shield Warranty is offered in a 10-year or 20-year time period. The Premium Service Program Limited Warranty or Shield Warranty, unlike the 75-year limited warranty, is a premium warranty that can be purchased for a fee in addition to the purchase price of the terra cotta tiles. The Shield Warranty has a very strict set of requirements that must be adhered to precisely in order for the warranty to be issued once the project is complete. The requirements, terms and conditions of the Shield Warranty are outlined in the terms and conditions. The Shield Warranty is only offered for commercial and institutional projects. In order for a project to qualify for the Shield Warranty, the Ludowici terra cotta tile must be installed by a factory trained and certified Ludowici Crown Roofer. Under the Shield Warranty, the certified installation contractor will be responsible for the entire watertightness performance of the installed roof for the first 5-years of the 10-year or 20-year warranty duration. For potential claims within the first 5-years customers must contact the installation contractor for all watertightness performance issues. If the customer contacts Ludowici, Ludowici will direct the customer to contact the installation contractor during this initial 5-year period.

LUDOWICI 75-YEAR LIMITED MATERIAL WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

WHAT’S COVERED AND FOR HOW LONG

Ludowici Roof Tile, Inc. (“Ludowici”), subject to the conditions and limitations set forth herein, warrants its standard grade clay tile (“Clay Tile”) to be free from manufacturing defects during the 75-year period following the initial installation of the tile. This warranty is made only to the original purchaser and any subsequent owner of the property where the tile was initially installed. This warranty will not apply to any tile that has been removed from the building on which it was originally installed.

 

WHAT LUDOWICI WILL DO

If any tile proves to be defective during the warranty period, Ludowici will replace the defective tile or refund the original purchase price for the defective tile, at Ludowici’s option. The “original purchase price” of the tile for purposes of this warranty is the wholesale price paid to Ludowici by the distributor, contractor, or other customer who contracted for the tile directly with Ludowici. This warranty does not cover, and Ludowici will not be responsible for, any labor costs, tear-off costs, disposal costs, equipment costs, or other costs incurred in removing defective tile or installing replacement tile. If Ludowici replaces any defective tile, the warranty period for the replacement tile will be the remaining warranty period for the original, replaced tile. For example, if Ludowici replaces defective Clay Tile 15 years after the sale of the tile to the original purchaser, the warranty period for the replacement tile will be 60 years.

Tile will not be considered defective with respect to color, shade or hue so long as the color, shade or hue at the time of claim does not vary by more than two Hunter E units from the original tile sample. If the face of any tile (other than textured tile) does not have a smooth, even surface, the tile will not be deemed to be defective unless the facial imperfection is clearly visible from a distance of more than 40 feet.

In consideration of this warranty, you authorize Ludowici and its agents or contractors to photograph the project where the tile is, or will be, installed and to enter the project location for that purpose. Ludowici may use all photographs of the project (whether taken by Ludowici, the contractor, or the project owner) for promotional, training, and other lawful purposes. In connection with its use of the photographs, Ludowici will use reasonable efforts to prevent disclosure of the project owner’s identity or the specific location of the project.

 

LIMITATIONS

Ludowici shall not be liable for, and this warranty does not apply to, any failure, defect, or damage (including but not limited to crumbling, chipping, cracking, breakup, or change in color) resulting from or connected with misuse, abuse, neglect, or improper handling or storage; improper installation or installation not in strict adherence with building codes, trade practices, or Ludowici’s written instructions; damage caused by the application of clay tile in alpine conditions (climatic areas that experience frequent heavy winter snowfall intermittent with strong solar radiation, common to high altitude geography) unless otherwise expressly pre-approved in writing by Ludowici; impact of foreign objects, fire, earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane, hail, tornado, or other violent storm or casualty, or other acts of God; defects in, failure of, or damage caused by materials used as a roofing base over which the tile is installed, or by movement, distortion, cracking, or settling of walls or the foundation of the building; exposure to harmful chemicals; or any other cause not involving inherent manufacturing defects in the tile supplied by Ludowici. Ludowici will not have any liability under this warranty for changes in color, shade or hue caused by stains or contamination of any sort arising from outside sources (such as, but not limited to, algae, mildew, fungus, moss, lichens, or other vegetation). This warranty does not apply to tile which has been painted, varnished, or similarly coated over the manufacturer’s original finish. This warranty does not apply to nails, screws, or other fasteners used in connection with the tile (whether or not supplied by Ludowici), or to any cracking, leakage, or other problems caused by any fasteners (whether or not supplied by Ludowici).Ludowici reserves the right to discontinue or modify any of its products, including the color thereof, without notice to the customer and shall not be liable to the customer as a result of such discontinuance or modification, nor shall Ludowici be liable if replacement material varies in color intensity and/or hue and/or shade in comparison to the original product. If Ludowici replaces any material under this warranty, it may substitute products designated by Ludowici to be of comparable quality if the product initially installed has been discontinued or modified.

This warranty will be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict of laws and principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of this warranty must be brought and maintained exclusively in a state or federal court located in the State of Ohio.

 

WHAT THE CUSTOMER MUST DO

To obtain performance under this warranty, the customer shall notify Ludowici in writing of any claimed manufacturing defect within thirty (30) days following its discovery, and shall submit with such notification proof of date of purchase and tile installation, in order to provide Ludowici an opportunity to investigate the claim and examine the material claimed to be defective. All warranty claims must be made during the warranty period and shall be provided to: Ludowici Roof Tile, Inc., 4757 Tile Plant Road, P.O. Box 69, New Lexington, Ohio 43764, Attn: Warranty Claims. Ludowici shall then promptly investigate the claim. Within a reasonable time after approval of the warranty claim, Ludowici will perform its obligations under this warranty. Any warranty claim not made within thirty (30) days after the defect is or should have been discovered will be barred. This warranty supersedes any warranty or guarantee previously made by Ludowici.

 

OTHER CONDITIONS

THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER ORAL OR WRITTEN WARRANTIES, LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS OF LUDOWICI. IN NO EVENT SHALL LUDOWICI BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, ITS CONTENTS, OR ANY PERSONS THEREIN, RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN. NO EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF LUDOWICI OR ANY DISTRIBUTOR OR DEALER IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY CHANGE OR MODIFICATION TO THIS WARRANTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

 

PREMIUM SERVICE PROGRAM LIMITED WARRANTY LUDOWICI SHIELD WARRANTY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

 

   

 

Ludowici, subject to the terms, conditions and limitations set forth herein, warrants to the purchaser of its Premium Service Program: (1) Ludowici’s standard grade clay tile (“Clay Tile”) to be free from manufacturing defects during the 75-year period following the initial installation of the tile; (2) the Ludowici Roof Tile supplied underlayment (“Underlayment”) installed on your roofing system to be weathertight during the 10-year or 20-year period (as defined on the purchase contract documents) following the certified completion date of the roofing system; and (3) the installation of said Clay Tile and Underlayment (the “Roofing and Underlayment System”) to be free from defects in workmanship during the 10-year or 20-year period (as defined on the purchase contract documents) following the certified completion date of the Roofing and Underlayment System. This warranty is made only to the original purchaser and any subsequent owner of the property where the Roofing and Underlayment System was initially installed. This warranty will not apply to any tile or underlayment that has been removed from the building on which it was originally installed. This warranty does not apply to the purchase or installation of any clay tile or underlayment for which the purchaser is not eligible for the Premium Service Program Warranty, has not purchased the Premium Service Program Warranty, and/or has not made full payment for the Premium Service Program Warranty as acknowledged in writing by Ludowici Roof Tile. Under this Premium Service Program Limited Warranty/Shield Warranty, the certified installation contractor (a Ludowici Crown Roofer) will be responsible for the entire watertightness performance of the installed roof for the first 5-years of the 10-year or 20-year warranty duration. For potential claims within the first 5-years customers must contact the installation contractor for all watertightness performance issues. If the customer contacts Ludowici, Ludowici will direct the customer to contact the installation contractor during this initial 5-year period.

 

WHAT LUDOWICI WILL DO

CLAY TILE:  If any Clay Tile proves to be defective during the warranty period, Ludowici will replace the defective tile or refund the original purchase price for the defective tile, at Ludowici’s option, during the applicable warranty period stated above. The “original purchase price” of the tile for purposes of this warranty is the wholesale price paid to Ludowici by the distributor, contractor, or other customer who contracted for the tile directly with Ludowici.

 

If Ludowici replaces any defective tile, the warranty period for the replacement tile will be the remaining warranty period for the original, replaced tile. For example, if Ludowici replaces defective Clay Tile 15 years after the sale of the tile to the original purchaser, the warranty period for the replacement tile will be 60 years.

 

Tile will not be considered defective with respect to color, shade or hue so long as the color, shade or hue at the time of claim does not vary by more than two Hunter E units from the original tile sample. If the face of any tile (other than textured tile) does not have a smooth, even surface, the tile will not be deemed to be defective unless the facial imperfection is clearly visible from a distance of more than 40 feet.

 

 

UNDERLAYMENT

If the Underlayment installed on your roofing system allows intrusion of water from the exterior of the roofing system into the building envelope due solely to manufacturing defects when exposed to ordinary weather conditions and ordinary wear and usage, Ludowici will replace the defective underlayment or refund the original purchase price for the defective underlayment, at Ludowici’s option, during the applicable warranty term stated above. This warranty does not apply if the Underlayment has been installed and left uncovered and without roof cladding for more than six months or, if any part of the Underlayment is exposed to ultra violet rays after roof cladding installation. This warranty does not cover leaks or damage caused by unusually severe rainy weather conditions and water ingress due to unusually severe natural weather conditions prior to the installation of the roof cladding.

 

 

INSTALLATION OF ROOFING AND UNDERLAYMENT SYSTEM

Under the Premium Service Program Warranty (or Shield Warranty), Ludowici will provide a minimum of three Ludowici-approved and designated factory-trained, experienced clay tile roofing contractors to provide consultation, installation and inspection services regarding your Roofing and Underlayment System. If the Roofing and Underlayment System allows intrusion of water from the exterior of the roofing system into the building envelope when exposed to ordinary weather conditions and ordinary wear and usage, due solely to manufacturing defects or defects in workmanship attributable to the installation services provided under the Premium Service Program, Ludowici will provide additional approved and factory-trained, experienced clay tile roofing contractors to remedy the defects in the Roofing and Underlayment System, during the applicable warranty term stated above.

 

As a condition of this warranty, you agree to permit Ludowici-approved installation contractor(s) to install, inspect and otherwise be present at all times during the installation of your Roofing and Underlayment System. Ludowici shall have no obligation for, and this warranty shall not apply to, the installation of a Roofing and Underlayment System by any person or entity not approved by Ludowici, or undertaken during times when an approved installation contractor was not present. You shall permit Ludowici, by and through its approved installation contractors, to perform any required interim job inspections and all warranty work undertaken pursuant to the terms of this warranty.

 

 

CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS

This warranty is not effective, and Ludowici shall have no obligations hereunder, unless the original purchaser: (1) requests and obtains prior written approval from Ludowici, at the time the Premium Service Program Warranty is purchased, confirming that the purchaser’s Roofing and Underlayment System is eligible for coverage under the terms of this warranty; and (2) requests and obtains written approval from Ludowici, upon completion of the installation of the Roofing and Underlayment System, confirming that the purchaser’s Roofing and Underlayment System is authorized for coverage under the terms of this warranty.This warranty shall not apply to roofing having a slope of less than 3 on 12 [14 degrees].

 

Ludowici shall have the sole and exclusive right and obligation to perform all warranty work described herein, and any unauthorized repairs, modifications or other work undertaken with respect to your defective Roofing and Underlayment System will VOID THIS WARRANTY.

 

Ludowici shall not be liable for, and this warranty does not apply to, any failure, defect or damage (including but not limited to crumbling, chipping, cracking, breakup or change in color) resulting from or connected with misuse, abuse, neglect or improper handling or storage; improper installation or installation not in strict adherence with building codes, trade practices or Ludowici’s written instructions; damage caused by the application of clay tile in alpine conditions (climatic areas that experience frequent heavy winter snowfall intermittent with strong solar radiation, common to high altitude geography) unless otherwise expressly pre-approved in writing by Ludowici; impact of foreign objects; fire; natural forces such as earthquake, flood, lightning, hurricane, hail, tornado or other violent storm or casualty, or other acts of God; defects in, failure of, or damage caused by materials used as a roofing base over which the tile is installed, or by movement, distortion, cracking, or settling of walls or the foundation of the building; exposure to harmful chemicals; or any other cause not involving inherent manufacturing or workmanship defects in the products supplied and installed by Ludowici or its approved installation contractors, or any other cause beyond the control of Ludowici. Ludowici will not have any liability under this warranty for changes in color, shade or hue caused by stains or contamination of any sort arising from outside sources (such as, but not limited to, algae, mildew, fungus, moss, lichens or other vegetation). This warranty does not apply to tile which has been painted, varnished, or similarly coated over the manufacturer’s original finish. This warranty does not apply to nails, screws or other fasteners used in connection with the Roofing and Underlayment System (whether or not supplied by Ludowici), or to any cracking, leakage or other problems caused by any fasteners (whether or not supplied by Ludowici). This warranty does not cover leaks or damage caused by any penetrations (including penetrations by fasteners), or by animals, vandalism, accidents, abusive conditions, inadequate or faulty structural design, structural defects, building alterations or cracks in the structural base exceeding 1/16 inch in width at any point.

 

Ludowici reserves the right to discontinue or modify any of its tile products or the underlayment it offers, including the color thereof, without notice to the customer, and shall not be liable to the customer as a result of such discontinuance or modification; nor shall Ludowici be liable if replacement material varies in color intensity and/or hue and/or shade in comparison to the original product. If Ludowici replaces any material under this warranty, it may substitute products designated by Ludowici to be of comparable quality if the product initially installed has been discontinued or modified.

 

This warranty will be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any legal action or proceeding arising out of this warranty must be brought and maintained exclusively in a state or federal court located in the State of Ohio.

 

In consideration of this warranty, you authorize Ludowici and its agents or contractors to photograph the project where the Roofing and Underlayment System is, or will be, installed and to enter the project location for that purpose. Ludowici may use all photographs of the project (whether taken by Ludowici, the project owner or any other party) for promotional, training and other lawful purposes. In connection with its use of the photographs, Ludowici will use reasonable efforts to prevent disclosure of the project owner’s identity or the specific location of the project.

 

 

WHAT THE CUSTOMER MUST DO

To obtain performance under this warranty, the customer shall notify Ludowici in writing of any claimed manufacturing or installation defect with respect to the Roofing and Underlayment System within thirty (30) days following its discovery and shall submit with such notification proof of date of purchase and tile installation, in order to provide Ludowici an opportunity to investigate the claim and examine the materials and/or workmanship claimed to be defective. All warranty claims must be made during the warranty period and shall be submitted to: Ludowici Roof Tile, Inc., 4757 Tile Plant Road, P.O. Box 69, New Lexington, Ohio 43764, Attn: Warranty Claims. Ludowici shall then promptly investigate the claim. Within a reasonable time after approval of the warranty claim, Ludowici will perform its obligations under this warranty. Any warranty claim not made within thirty (30) days after the defect is or should have been discovered, or within the warranty period applicable to the Clay Tile, Underlayment, or installation of the Roofing and Underlayment System, will be barred, and Ludowici shall have no obligation hereunder.

 

This warranty supersedes any warranty or guarantee previously made by Ludowici.

 

OTHER CONDITIONS

THIS WARRANTY IS EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER ORAL OR WRITTEN WARRANTIES, LIABILITIES OR OBLIGATIONS OF LUDOWICI. IN NO EVENT SHALL LUDOWICI BE LIABLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ANY DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, ITS CONTENTS, OR ANY PERSONS THEREIN, RESULTING FROM THE BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY SET FORTH HEREIN. NO EMPLOYEE OR REPRESENTATIVE OF LUDOWICI OR ANY DISTRIBUTOR OR DEALER IS AUTHORIZED TO MAKE ANY CHANGE OR MODIFICATION TO THIS WARRANTY. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.

 

 

To register, download the Warranty Document below and return to receive your warranty certificate:

If your project requires a Ludowici warranty, please become familiar with this entire Ludowici Warranty Program document in order to ensure your warranty is processed in a timely manner. The following outlines the steps needed to successfully complete this process:

• Please download and fill out the Warranty Request Form below. The form must be filled out accurately and in its entirety. The warranty request form should be completed and submitted to Ludowici after the installation of the Ludowici materials are complete.
• The completed Warranty Request Form must then be mailed or emailed to Ludowici. Contact information is provided on form.
• Once this information is received, the project order number(s) will be verified as part of an approval process.
• Please make sure to indicate to whom the warranty should be mailed. A complete mail to address must be provided if the warranty certificate is not going back to the purchaser.
• Once the status of the account balance is verified as paid in full, an official Ludowici warranty certificate will be created, processed, and issued via email and regular mail to the contact and address noted on the Warranty Request Form.
• Ludowici will put a copy of all warranty request information and all supplied warranty certificates in each project and master warranty files for company records and future reference.

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