The Best Roofers in Birmingham AL Are the Ones Proven Safe To Hire

The state of Alabama requires roofing contractors in Birmingham AL to be licensed by the state, which requires passing a general trade exam, but one not specific to roofing.  Alabama also allows roofing companies not licensed by Alabama to do roofing in Birmingham AL if they hold a license in a neighboring state, which might have different standards such as not including any test for knowledge or competency.

But even the Alabama state license for roofing companies is no guarantee that any particular roofer in Birmingham AL is even competent, is doing business ethically, providing real value, or satisfying customers.

This makes it all the more significant that all contractors for roofing in Birmingham AL who bear The Prime Buyer's Report-TOP 10 symbol have been cleared by our research staff as passing all the requirements for Prime Buyer's Report-TOP 10 status such as survey phone calls to previous customers to verify high satisfaction, good complaint record, verified state license, only employees legal to work in the U.S., and more.

Roofing Contractors in Birmingham AL Perform Numerous Services

Roofing contractors install new roofs, but their experience with certain tasks and materials can vary. for instance, pitched roofs require a greater level of skill to install or repair. Most roofing companies in Birmingham AL also perform regular roof maintenance or roof repairs, including foam recoats and shake roof conversions. Some roofing contractors in Birmingham AL do emergency roofing repairs in the event of a roof leak, often with 24 hour availability.

In addition to installation and roof repair for roof coatings and coverings, some roofers install downspouts and gutters (even seamless gutters). Some of the best roofing contractors in Birmingham use manufacturer certified technicians to install, repair or refurbish your roof, so you can expect a greater level of workmanship and better manufacturer warranties on their work.

In addition to new roofing, roofing companies can fix a leaky roof, replace roof shingles, or repair broken slate roofs.

The Best Roofing Contractors in Birmingham AL Offer Multiple Roofing Materials

There is such a wide variety of roofing materials and styles and each roofing material has its own benefits. Choices include shake roofs or imitation shake roofs, wood shingle roofs, cedar shingle roofs, clay tile roofs, slate roofs or even concrete tile roofs.

There are roofing companies in Birmingham AL who specialize in metal roofs. They can fix or recoat steel roofing, steel roof shingles, stone coated steel roofing, aluminum roofing, insulated aluminum roofing, corrugated metal roofing, copper roofing, or zinc roofing.

Some local roofing contractors can  rejuvenate an aging roof and take preventative measures to avoid future roof problems. They might use adhesive methods or modified bitumen to lay down new fire resistant roofing, or may apply elastomeric coatings or polyurethane foam for protection against the elements. In addition to basic roof coverings, some roofing contractors apply hot tar, tar and gravel, or install custom roof edging.

There are also some new products available for the eco-minded homeowner. Instead of wooden roof shingles, roofers might substitute composite roofing or energy efficient roofing. Some roofers in Birmingham AL even have access to ventilation products to insert into your preexisting roof.

ROOF TYPES

There are three main roof types based on their slope or pitch: High Slope, Low Slope, and Flat.

High Slope Roof: Over five inches of vertical rise for every 12 horizontal inches
Low Slope Roof: Two inches to five inches of vertical rise for every 12 horizontal inches
Flat Roof: Less than two inches vertical rise for every 12 horizontal inches

ROOF COMPONENTS

The components of a roofing system are: Structural Support, Roof Sheathing, Underlayment, Flashing, and Roofing Material.

Structural Support: Rafters, trusses or joists that support the roofing system.

Roof Sheathing: What immediately covers the structural support. This is most commonly plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board).

Underlayment: A moisture barrier immediately on top of the roof sheathing. Sometimes called roof felt.

Flashing: Where the roof surface meets vertical surfaces (like a chimney) or at valleys created where adjoining roof sections of different angles meet, a metallic flashing is installed.

Roofing Material: The topmost layer of the roof which you can see, such as shingles, tile, etc.

ROOFING MATERIALS

Asphalt Shingles, or alternatively, Fiberglass Shingles

Rolled Roofing / Built Up Roofing: Used for flat roofs or very low slope roofs.

Foam Roofing / Polyurethane Roofing: Used for flat roofs as an alternative to Rolled Roofing or Built Up Roofing

Metal Roofing

Wood Shakes

Tar & Gravel

Reflective Lightweight Rocks

Clay Tile / Concrete Tile

Ice and Water Shields for Roofing
A roofing ice and water shield looks very similar to the traditional felt paper used to line roofs but is higher performance.  Felt paper stops most leaks where water gets under the tiles or shingles but sometimes still lets leaks form by letting water through where one sheet of felt paper overlaps another or where nails have created holes in the felt paper.

The ice and water shield roofing material is made of a rubberized asphalt with a sticky backing that seals overlaps unlike felt paper, and forms a seal around nails when it is penetrated.  Roofers in Birmingham AL can cover your entire roof with the ice and water shield, or apply it only where leaks frequently happen.  The roofing contractors can also bend the ice and water shield to create a leak-proof barrier around anything that penetrates a roof, such as vents, chimneys, and skylights, then use standard roof flashings to cover the ice and water shield sub-flashing.

Some Roofers in Birmingham Are Safer To Spend With Than Others
The Prime Buyer's Report lists these roofing contractors in Birmingham AL: . Other roofing contractors in Birmingham AL who might still be in business include: Bear Roofs Birmingham AL.