The Best Roofers in Ann Arbor MI Are the Ones Proven Safe To Hire

The state of Michigan requires that residential roofers in Ann Arbor MI be licensed by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Commercial roofing companies are not required to be licensed at all.  Those licensed after June 1 2008 had to complete 60 hours of prelicensure education and pass an exam. The license allows them only to perform the specific craft designated by the license and each roofing contractor has a pocket card that contains the letter code "M" representing that he is allowed to perform roofing.

But even the Michigan state license for residential roofing is no guarantee that any particular roofing company in Ann Arbor MI is doing business ethically, delivering value, or satisfying customers.

This makes it all the more significant that all contractors for roofing in Ann Arbor MI 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.

Hire Roofing Contractors in Ann Arbor MI That Give You Details In Writing And Are Thorough

There's a very wide scope of roofing materials from the type of plywood, to the type of underlayment, to the type of shingles that last different lengths of time, are rated for different windspeeds, and so have widely varying costs.  For example with underlayment, quality synthetic underlayments such as those by Owens Corning, GAF, or CertainTeed are designed to let the shingles breathe, but without holding moisture that would warp or rot the plywood underneath. These might cost the contractor as much as $120 a roll. In contrast, a roll of mere tar paper might cost the contractor only $20 a roll.

Similarly, better brands of roofing shingles are rated to windspeeds of 130mph, while cheaper brands are rated to only 90mph leading to blow offs in storms that will require spending more money to hire a roofing contractor to go up and replace.

Beware any roofing contractor that gives you an estimate which is not fully detailed as to the types of each of those materials, the amounts, and the brands.  Ones who do that do it to appear cheaper in order to win your business, but they've kept from you that the materials are cheaper and won't perform as well or last as long.

Also beware roofing contractors who give a cost estimate without first going up on your roof to inspect it and and take measurements.

Roofing Contractors in Ann Arbor MI 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 Ann Arbor MI also perform regular roof maintenance or roof repairs, including foam recoats and shake roof conversions. Some roofing contractors in Ann Arbor MI 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 Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor MI 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 Ann Arbor MI 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 Ann Arbor MI 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, Fiberlass 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 Ann Arbor MI 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 Ann Arbor MI Are Safer To Spend With Than Others
The Prime Buyer's Report lists these roofing contractors in Ann Arbor MI: . Other roofing contractors in Ann Arbor MI who might still be in business include: .