For those who got some of the defective Certainteed shingles:
August 19, 2009
Dear CertainTeed Customer:
If you are receiving this letter, you are in our contact database for the CertainTeed class action lawsuit. We do not need any further information from you at this time. However, we wanted to update you on our progress.
[If you’re not in their database, it’s http://www.halunenlaw.com/ ]
We have been engaged in settlement negotiations with the CertainTeed Corporation for over one year in an attempt to obtain a fair resolution for consumers injured by the company’s defective organic shingles. We have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the company that sets forth the terms of a settlement that we believe to be in the best interests of consumers based upon an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses relating to liability against the company and damages.
We now intend to submit the matter to the Court for preliminary approval. This should happen in the month of September. Should the Court give preliminary approval to the settlement, then the parties will provide notice to consumers nationwide, to advise them of their rights under the settlement and to give them the opportunity to either participate in the settlement or not to participate and pursue their own remedies. If you decide to participate, you will be provided with information on how you would need to submit your claim in order to receive compensation under the settlement. As previously instructed, please retain any and all information about your shingles, including photographs, shingle samples, receipts from any repairs, and a signed statement from a contractor stating that the shingles are defective CertainTeed organic shingles.
Below, please find preliminary details on how the proposed settlement may affect you. Please be aware that these details are not finalized, and changes may occur. Because details are not yet finalized, our office will not be able to make individualized calculations for consumers.
1. If you have or had CertainTeed organic shingles and are covered under a valid CertainTeed warranty you would receive $74 per square—$34 per square for material costs, pro-rated based on the date of installation and $40 per square for labor costs, not pro-rated for the first ten years from installation and pro-rated thereafter.
2. If you purchased a building with CertainTeed shingles, but do not have a valid transferrable warranty you would receive $34 per square pro-rated based on the date of installation.
3. If you have resolved your warranty claim with CertainTeed since August 1, 2006 you would receive 20% of the difference between the amount you received in the warranty claim and the amount you would have received under the settlement.
We do not have more specific details available at this time, but we will let you know if this information becomes available. Because we have had literally thousands of consumers contact our offices to report their defective CertainTeed shingles, please do not make further inquiries to our office at this time. We will not have any further information for you until the Court approves the proposed settlement. If the Court does not approve the settlement, then class certification briefing will resume.
We understand that you may have many questions about how this process will work; please understand that this is all the information we are able to provide at this time. We will provide you with updated information and more details as soon as they become available. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Thank you,
HALUNEN & ASSOCIATES
Clayton Halunen
Managing Partner
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. –Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Replies
Dan
Thanks for posting this.
I have a customer that just made a claim on a roof that is 8 years old and the south side is shot.
I made a copy of the letter for him.
Rich
You used organic shingles back then?
Frammer
Yes I thought they were the best shingle on the market.
They were 250 lb, thicker than fiberglass.
I saw a lot of laminates blowing off or the surface not holding up well
The FG shingles tear very easily, and the organic shingles were tougher, harder to tear.
Most of the shingles we were tearing off were organic shingles that lasted a true 30 years.
I was leary of the FG shingles and their early history showed some problems.
Rich
Rich, 8 yrs ago the problems had mostly been worked out. In fact, i will say the eary problems had been cured by the early 90's. Just wondering why anyone would use them.
Organic shingles are still the norm here -- hold up better in this climate, from what I've heard.It's not clear when Certainteed got their problem here "fixed" -- it is known that they were still selling the bum shingles for 5-10 years after it became obvious that they had a problem.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Organic shingles are still the norm here -- hold up better in this climate, from what I've heard>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
I don't think I could even find an organic shingle around here!
Dan
I could be wrong but I don't think anybody make an organic shingle anymore.
Certainteed stopped about 3 years ago, maybe 4.
Rich
frammer
I know the early FG problems had been worked out.
But what I saw coming out of the package 8 years ago the Custom 30s were a heavier tougher shingle.
In the laminates the extra weight (still 204-250 lbs) was due to double thick in some areas and single thick in others.
I know I was slow to switch over.
8 years ago it was still about 50/ 50 3 tabs to laminates around here. Older people wanted 3 tabs.
Rich
3 tabs were fibreglass and still are. I think you may be confused on this.
Dave
Frammer
The Custom 25 and Custom 30 by Certainteed were organic.
Certainteed started making the 3 tab called Extra Tough, but the Customs were the primary 3 tab in our area in the period we are discussing.
Owens-Corning had the FG 3 tab called Supremes 25 and 30 year, but mostly just 25 year in this area. The supreme 25 was a low price point product, but I have seen some of them really last.
Rich
Got you.