“Made in the USA” Roofing: What the Label Means

What does “Made in USA” legally require?

An unqualified “Made in USA” claim must be accurate under the Federal Trade Commission's standard, which says the product has to be all or virtually all made in the United States. In practice the FTC looks at whether final assembly or processing happens in the U.S., whether all significant processing happens in the U.S., and whether all or virtually all of the components are made and sourced here. In 2021 the FTC put this standard into its Made in USA Labeling Rule, which applies to labels on products, and it continues to treat other marketing claims under the same principle. The standard is strict on purpose. A product with significant imported content generally cannot carry an unqualified claim, even if the final step happens in an American plant.

What is the difference between qualified and unqualified claims?

An unqualified claim is a plain statement like “Made in USA” or “American-made” with nothing added. A qualified claim tells you more about the mix, such as “Made in USA of U.S. and imported parts” or “Made in USA with imported steel.” The FTC allows qualified claims when they are truthful and clear about the foreign content. “Assembled in USA” is another distinct claim. It is meant for products whose last substantial transformation happened in the U.S., and it does not mean the parts were made here. For a homeowner, the takeaway is simple: read the exact words. A website banner, a truck wrap and a printed label may not say the same thing, and the qualifiers carry the real information.

Why is a roof harder to label than a single product?

A roof is harder to label because it is a system put together from many parts on your house. A metal roof typically includes the panels, the metal coil they are formed from, the paint or coating system, the underlayment, fasteners, trim, flashing, ridge pieces and sealants. Those can come from different suppliers in different countries. That means a company can be accurate when it says its panels are formed in a U.S. plant, while the coil, coating or underlayment came from elsewhere. Neither fact alone tells you much about how the roof will perform in a nor'easter or on the Maine coast. Mixed origins are normal in building products. What matters is that the claim matches what is actually being sold.

What questions should you ask about where a roof is made?

Ask specific questions and get the answers in writing. Which components does your origin claim cover: the panels only, or the coating, trim, fasteners and underlayment too? Where is the metal coil produced, and where are the panels formed and finished? Is the claim qualified in any way on the product label or documents? Then ask the questions that affect your roof day to day. Who manufactures the system, and who stands behind the material warranty? Who installs it, and are they trained on that system? Is the installer registered in your state, such as under Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 142A, with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, or with the Rhode Island Contractors' Registration and Licensing Board? A clear answer on origin is useful; a clear answer on accountability is essential.

Where is the Interlock roofing system made?

The Interlock® aluminum roofing system is manufactured by Interlock Roofing at its plant in Delta, BC. We describe it as Made in North America, and we don't make a “Made in USA” claim for it, because that would not meet the FTC standard. The installation is local. Interlock Metal Roofing (New England) Inc. has been the certified and exclusive Interlock® roofing contractor for New England since 1999, based in Walpole, Massachusetts, and our trained crews install the roofs across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont. The manufacturer stands behind the material with the Guardian Lifetime Limited Material Warranty and the 30 Year Alunar® coating warranty.

Does where a roof is made matter more than how it is installed?

For most homeowners, installation and accountability matter more to the roof's performance than the country the panels came from. A well-made panel installed with poor flashing at a chimney will leak; the same panel installed by a trained crew will not. Origin still matters to many people for personal or economic reasons, and that is a fair basis for a decision. The point is to make it on accurate information. Read the exact claim, ask which parts it covers, and weigh it alongside the material, the written warranties, the installer's registration and track record, and how long you plan to stay in the home. An honest answer on every one of those questions is a good sign about the company giving it.

Common questions