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PLY GEM tile fading issue (June 15, 2021)
An ad hoc committee comprised of Bill Waltrip, Peter McCarthy, Tom Gessner, Tim Carmody, and Mike Griner has been formed to look at ths issue. Using a colorometer installed tiles were compared to uninstalled tiles to determine the degree of fading as measured in Humter units. The files below show the results which confirms the visual inspection.
PLY GEM tile fading issue (June 15, 2021)
An ad hoc committee comprised of Bill Waltrip, Peter McCarthy, Tom Gessner, Tim Carmody, and Mike Griner has been formed to look at ths issue. Using a colorometer installed tiles were compared to uninstalled tiles to determine the degree of fading as measured in Humter units. The files below show the results which confirms the visual inspection.
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Update Note to Owners May 24, 2021 by Mike Griner
On May 24 the following note was sent to all 28 homeowners who have Ply Gem roofing tiles installed:
With the knowledge of the Bridge-Way Villas HOA board of directors and as an individual homeowner I am sending this note to the 28 current owners in Bridge-Way Villas whose homes have Ply Gem synthetic roofing tiles installed. I am facilitating a course of action to address the color fading of some roof tiles which exceeds the limit (4 Hunter units) specified in the Ply Gem warranty (attached). You may have already observed this condition on your own or your neighbors' roofs. The initial evaluation is that a small percentage (20% or less) of Ply Gem tiles exceed the limit and those that do are easily discernible from a street view . There is no current evidence of material failure or any reason to presume any problem with your roof integrity. Material integrity will be periodically monitored along with the color fading.
The warranty regarding color fading only covers the original cost of the tiles, which for a full roof replacement would only be about 40% or less of the cost of materials and labor for a total roof replacement. Reimbursement for just individual defective tiles would only be about $5 dollars per tile. You may recall that Ply Gem merged with Cornerstone Building Brands in 2019 and Cornerstone subsequently issued a letter (attached) indicating that the warranty would remain in effect. I have contacted Cornerstone to acquire the detailed process for submitting a warranty claim and to determine if their initial response is consistent with the stated warranty. I have not yet received any response and will advise you once I do..
Roof replacements and maintenance are the responsibility of each homeowner and individual owners could pursue a warranty claim individually. In my opinion any homeowner acting individually is not likely to get a settlement that would be satisfactory. Another approach would be for the affected owners to act collaboratively to seek a negotiated settlement. If initial negotiations are unsatisfactory (the desired settlement being 100% of a total roof replacement) the final step would be to initiate a class action lawsuit. Note that a class action lawsuit can be filed by a single individual on behalf of the affected class subject to approval by the judge as to the definition of the class members. You would automatically be included unless you choose to opt out. There would be no cost to a class member as the legal fees would be negotiated separately and paid out of the settlement.
I am currently not asking anyone to commit to any specific action but I am interested in getting a response that indicates whether you would wish to be part of a collaborative effort in negotiating with Cornerstone. This would not commit you to accepting any settlement that may be offered. Also, if anyone wishes to have an active role in the negotiation or potential legal process please let me know.
Mike Griner
On May 24 the following note was sent to all 28 homeowners who have Ply Gem roofing tiles installed:
With the knowledge of the Bridge-Way Villas HOA board of directors and as an individual homeowner I am sending this note to the 28 current owners in Bridge-Way Villas whose homes have Ply Gem synthetic roofing tiles installed. I am facilitating a course of action to address the color fading of some roof tiles which exceeds the limit (4 Hunter units) specified in the Ply Gem warranty (attached). You may have already observed this condition on your own or your neighbors' roofs. The initial evaluation is that a small percentage (20% or less) of Ply Gem tiles exceed the limit and those that do are easily discernible from a street view . There is no current evidence of material failure or any reason to presume any problem with your roof integrity. Material integrity will be periodically monitored along with the color fading.
The warranty regarding color fading only covers the original cost of the tiles, which for a full roof replacement would only be about 40% or less of the cost of materials and labor for a total roof replacement. Reimbursement for just individual defective tiles would only be about $5 dollars per tile. You may recall that Ply Gem merged with Cornerstone Building Brands in 2019 and Cornerstone subsequently issued a letter (attached) indicating that the warranty would remain in effect. I have contacted Cornerstone to acquire the detailed process for submitting a warranty claim and to determine if their initial response is consistent with the stated warranty. I have not yet received any response and will advise you once I do..
Roof replacements and maintenance are the responsibility of each homeowner and individual owners could pursue a warranty claim individually. In my opinion any homeowner acting individually is not likely to get a settlement that would be satisfactory. Another approach would be for the affected owners to act collaboratively to seek a negotiated settlement. If initial negotiations are unsatisfactory (the desired settlement being 100% of a total roof replacement) the final step would be to initiate a class action lawsuit. Note that a class action lawsuit can be filed by a single individual on behalf of the affected class subject to approval by the judge as to the definition of the class members. You would automatically be included unless you choose to opt out. There would be no cost to a class member as the legal fees would be negotiated separately and paid out of the settlement.
I am currently not asking anyone to commit to any specific action but I am interested in getting a response that indicates whether you would wish to be part of a collaborative effort in negotiating with Cornerstone. This would not commit you to accepting any settlement that may be offered. Also, if anyone wishes to have an active role in the negotiation or potential legal process please let me know.
Mike Griner
Update Note to Owners Dec 20, 2021 by Mike Griner
Several actions and investigations have been taking place since my original email to you on March 24, 2021, and an update email on July 21, 2021. The bottom line is that I am still recommending that individual owners do NOT take any action at this time. This note is to apprise you of what has taken place and what possible options may emerge. These include:
1. Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material costs
Having submitted a warranty claim for my roof tiles to Play Gem and shipping them a sample faded tile I was advised by Play Gem warranty manager Leland Harris that upon receipt of the original invoices (which I received from my roofer and forwarded to him) that I would be reimbursed for the cost of the Ply Gem roof tiles for my entire roof. This should be about $16,000. My intent is NOT to accept this compensation if it precludes any future ability to secure labor cost reimbursement as well. My warranty claim documentation and Ply Gem responses can be found on our website at http://bridgewayvillas.org/roof-replacement-information.html item 2b. This option would most likely be available to any homeowner who wishes to submit an individual warranty claim but beware it could negate your ability to seek reimbursement for labor costs associated with a partial or full roof replacement.
2. Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material AND labor (via negotiation or class action suit)
If all of us or a significant portion of the affected homeowners choose to act collectively to achieve this full compensation it will probably require that material failure be detected through a lab analysis. This has not yet been determined and may require a significant amount of time to pass (2 to 5 years?). We will be dependent upon some expert advice, scientific and legal, to determine if this is a reasonable alternative.
3. Replacement of individual faded tiles
To achieve a desirable aesthetic this Is doable using either excess Ply Gem material in our storage facility or DiVInci tiles which are nearly identical.
4. Cleaning of individual faded tiles
It has been discovered that faded tiles appear to be the result of the decomposition of a thin surface layer on the exposed portion of the tile, assumed to be due to a failure of or lack of UV protectant in the material although the Ply Gem lab test does not agree with this assumption. . The coating can be removed by a steel brush or the application certain citrus paint strippers and removers in a few minutes and does restore the tile to its original appearance. It is suspected, however, that the fading would reoccur in the future (1 to 2 years?). This will be tested with the assistance of Tim Carmody.
5. Applying a protective UV coating after cleaning
Tim Carmody has procured a clear UV material which he will apply to a faded tile after the cleaning process which will then be put on a roof and examined periodically for fading. If this should prove a successful preventive to fading it could be used along with the cleaning option to maintain tile appearance.
Several actions and investigations have been taking place since my original email to you on March 24, 2021, and an update email on July 21, 2021. The bottom line is that I am still recommending that individual owners do NOT take any action at this time. This note is to apprise you of what has taken place and what possible options may emerge. These include:
- Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material costs only (per warranty)
- Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material and labor (via concerted negotiation or class action suit)
- Replacement of individual faded tiles
- Cleaning of individual faded tiles
- Applying a protective UV coating after cleaning faded tiles
1. Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material costs
Having submitted a warranty claim for my roof tiles to Play Gem and shipping them a sample faded tile I was advised by Play Gem warranty manager Leland Harris that upon receipt of the original invoices (which I received from my roofer and forwarded to him) that I would be reimbursed for the cost of the Ply Gem roof tiles for my entire roof. This should be about $16,000. My intent is NOT to accept this compensation if it precludes any future ability to secure labor cost reimbursement as well. My warranty claim documentation and Ply Gem responses can be found on our website at http://bridgewayvillas.org/roof-replacement-information.html item 2b. This option would most likely be available to any homeowner who wishes to submit an individual warranty claim but beware it could negate your ability to seek reimbursement for labor costs associated with a partial or full roof replacement.
2. Reimbursement from Ply Gem for material AND labor (via negotiation or class action suit)
If all of us or a significant portion of the affected homeowners choose to act collectively to achieve this full compensation it will probably require that material failure be detected through a lab analysis. This has not yet been determined and may require a significant amount of time to pass (2 to 5 years?). We will be dependent upon some expert advice, scientific and legal, to determine if this is a reasonable alternative.
3. Replacement of individual faded tiles
To achieve a desirable aesthetic this Is doable using either excess Ply Gem material in our storage facility or DiVInci tiles which are nearly identical.
4. Cleaning of individual faded tiles
It has been discovered that faded tiles appear to be the result of the decomposition of a thin surface layer on the exposed portion of the tile, assumed to be due to a failure of or lack of UV protectant in the material although the Ply Gem lab test does not agree with this assumption. . The coating can be removed by a steel brush or the application certain citrus paint strippers and removers in a few minutes and does restore the tile to its original appearance. It is suspected, however, that the fading would reoccur in the future (1 to 2 years?). This will be tested with the assistance of Tim Carmody.
5. Applying a protective UV coating after cleaning
Tim Carmody has procured a clear UV material which he will apply to a faded tile after the cleaning process which will then be put on a roof and examined periodically for fading. If this should prove a successful preventive to fading it could be used along with the cleaning option to maintain tile appearance.
