Top 10 Roofers in Charles City, VA
Frequently asked questions about roofers
In most cases, you can install metal roofing over shingles. There are some exceptions to this, largely depending on how damaged the roof is. Your roofer will ensure that your home can handle a metal roof structurally and that any issues present won’t be exacerbated. Metal is very strong, but also very light compared to other roofing options, such as asphalt. It can be installed directly overtop the existing shingles, meaning you’re going to save a lot of money leaving them in place. Because metal is light, it won’t significantly increase the load for your home to bear. These roofs last a long time, they reflect heat rather than absorb it, and can withstand whatever the weather throws at them.
When it comes to installation, a quick “roofers near me” search can find you a professional. The basic idea is that you are screwing the metal over top of your existing shingles. Begin with getting a precise measurement of the surface you’re covering. Valleys, dormers, and chimneys will affect how much metal you need. You’ll start with laying roofing felt over the entire roof. You want your felt to be straight and square. Some people use wood strips to assist them. Any seams where water can get into will require flashing. From here, put the panels in place. Keep them straight and symmetrical, and apply this to the screws as well. You’re going to have to cut the valleys by hand, so be precise in your measurements.
Use rubber or foam closure strips for any overlaps. Get some that match the shape and color of your roof. These prevent water damage. You also have the option of attaching rubber strips for plumbing vents. Once finished, attach the ridge cap. This gives the roof closure and prevents leaking. You can also use a mesh to create a ridge vent that allows airflow.
There are a number of options you can use when it comes to roof installation.
Shingles (asphalt, fiberglass, and composite) – Asphalt is the most common roofing you’ll see on modern homes. It’s relatively cheap compared to other options and can last up to 30 years. They come in a variety of color options, which are prone to fading over years of sun exposure. You can opt for architectural shingles, which are thicker and more weather resistant. You can also do three-tab shingles, which are quicker to install but are prone to wind damage.
Metal – This style of roofing has been around for longer than most people realize, and is gaining popularity. Zinc and aluminum are cheap, beautiful, and require very little maintenance. Metal roofing is highly durable and will last a long time. Improper installation will cause problems, and you may need soundproofing for the noise it can generate in a storm.
Wood – Wooden roofing can make for a cozy-looking home, and it lasts longer than shingles. While wood is beautiful, it comes with a higher maintenance cost, especially in areas prone to fire (where you’d need to specially treat the roof). Wood is best used in dry climates, as water, mildew, and mold are a problem for wood.
Clay – Clay may last for an entire lifetime and is extremely fire and wind-resistant. It’s been used for over 5000 years around the world and is still being used today. Clay doesn’t have many color options, and it can be heavy. It also may require specialized labor to install. It's great at regulating the temperature within a home.
Slate – Slate is a material that will last. It may not need replacing for nearly 200 years, is completely fireproof, and withstands winds and temperature extremes. Slate is expensive and heavy, much like clay, and may require extra structural support. Unlike clay, it has a wider variety of color options.
TPO stands for Thermoplastic Polyolefin. It’s a mostly recycled rubber material sold in rolls, which are held together by seams that stick due to the heat. TPO comes in rolls but is priced like any other roofing material. It is best suited for flat surfaces, which it was designed for. Homes with pitched roofs will want to avoid TPO. It's not designed to be attractive and must be installed in dry conditions, which is why it’s generally seen among commercial buildings. The quality of material in TPO can vary greatly between manufacturers, which leads to wide variations in pricing.
TPO has many good qualities as well. It’s a reflective material, which means you’ll save money on cooling and energy usage. It’s very simple to install, lightweight, and requires little maintenance. Since it’s made from recycled materials, this roofing also lowers your eco-footprint. This doesn’t quite paint the whole picture, as the materials needed to install TPO can add up fast. You’ll need insulation between your home and the TPO, which helps regulate heat. Depending on the thickness, this cost can be as much as the TPO itself. You’ll also need to add flashing to the seams and corners. Flashing prevents water leakage, and ranges wildly depending on your roof, such as whether you have peaks, dormers, or a chimney.
To attach TPO to your roof, you have three main options available to you. You can use glue to fasten the rubber to the underlayment, which is known as an attached roof. A fastened roof uses screws to hold itself down, and a ballasted roof uses rocks or pavers.
On average, your roof will cost roughly $8,600 to replace. The price varies based on the size of the home and what materials you want to use. When you receive a quote for a roof, you may be quoted based on square foot, or by square. They are different, with a square making up 100 square feet. Either way, the cost for labor is, on average, between $1.50 to $3.00 per square foot, or $150 to $300 per square.
Another factor that can raise the cost of a roof replacement is whether there is damage. If the roof is rotting, it’s not safe for a roofer to stand on it. Roofing companies will need to bring in equipment and fix the rotting, which will increase your costs. If you’re requiring the roof to be replaced under extreme weather conditions, this may alter your cost. If you have multiple layers of shingles, it may take more time (and therefore money) to remove them.
Material can account for 40% of the roofing cost. Asphalt can be as high as $5.50 per square foot. Metal, on the high side, can be $14, and clay or slate can go as high as $20 per square foot. Wood can go as high as $7 per square foot, but requires a lot of maintenance. Most people tend to go with asphalt, as it tends to last up to 30 years, and has a variety of colors to choose from.
If you’re going to replace the roof, and it's not an emergency, fall is the best season for the job. Autumn is a relatively dry season, and the weather is cooler.
There are benefits and disadvantages to any type of roofing. Asphalt is a common roofing material that comes in shingles. They’re an inexpensive option and straightforward to install. Metal comes in long sheets. It can be expensive to make and to install, but its seamless design is among the best available for roofing options. Metal is currently gaining in popularity, but that trend may not last. Rather, consider how it holds up in comparison.
Metal roofing is durable, and can withstand heat, water, wind, and hail. Once installed, it’s also quite easy to maintain. Because of its reflective nature, you can save energy costs in the summer, as metal will repel heat. Metal costs more to create and install, plus it’s heavier. If your home needs stability improvements to handle it, that won’t be cheap.
Asphalt is cheap to make, cheap to buy, and cheap to install. It’s relatively durable, though its longevity is only 50 years compared to metal’s 70 years or more. Asphalt has low snow retention, and extreme weather can harm it. It offers nothing in terms of energy savings.
If shingles need replacing, it’s a relatively straightforward job. You slide a new shingle in place and nail it down. Of course, anything on the roof is a safety hazard, so don’t take the job lightly. Metal roofs don’t need a lot of maintenance, but when they do, it’s a pain. If you use improper materials, it can cause the metal to corrode and create a bigger problem.
Both materials make for solid roofs. Asphalt has a few drawbacks, but is also the best for a tight budget. Metal costs more, but you gain durability, savings, and longer replacement costs. If you have the budget, you can decide if it's worth it.
Metal roofing is sold in squares, which are comprised of 100 square feet, and may also be called metal sheets. There are a variety of different metals you can choose from.
- Steel roofs can come in two different types. The difference between the two types is what metal the steel is coated with. Galvanized is zinc, whereas galvalume is aluminum. Galvalume is cheaper and can go as high as $200 per sheet, whereas galvanized can go as high as $350.
- Stainless steel is more durable and has a beautiful sheen to it. It’s considered a premium metal and is not a cheap option. It can run anywhere between $400 to $1,200 per sheet.
- Tin roofs are a bit of a misnomer, as the actual material that comprises these roofs is called terne. This is steel coated with tin and can cost between $300 to $1,500 per square.
- Aluminum is a cheaper option and can be recycled after you replace it. Compared to other options, it is a cheaper option at $600 per sheet on the high end.
- Copper fades to a soft green over time and is highly durable. It can cost between $800 to $1,500 per sheet. It’s highly rust resistant and will have a long life.
- Zinc is an attractive option that is available in both shingle style or standing steam to suit your aesthetic. Zinc usually runs between $600 to $1,000.
To install, metal roofing costs $3000 on average, though style, pitch, and coating can increase those costs. As always, size can play a factor as well. All the best roofing companies can break down your options for you and help you decide what the best option is for your specific circumstances.
Recent reviews for Charles City Roofing Contractors
They cut and tore down my cat enclosure and left it all on the ground in a tangled mess. I was almost done ... Just had to fix the door but they destroyed it.
Not stable or reliable, forgets jobs, cant keep employees, hostile towards employees. Childish. Not professional.
Curtis Painting is not located at 1512 Point of Rocks Road.
Please stay away from this company. They whole experience from the start until now has not been right. They came out and put on the wrong shingles. The owner didn't come out until most of the roof was done. Unfortunately, I agreed to keep it. They prom...
This contractor took $1000 of my money and did not finish the work. He said that the turnaround for the work that needed to be done would take a day, and it's been well over a month. I've been texting him and he refuses to answer me or my husband's text m...
Excellent to keep appointment. Excellent value. Excellent responsiveness in communication.
Bubbas Handyman did a very professional job on the work performed. Guys and staff were very friendly and helpful, clean and polite.
Excellent responsiveness in communication. Excellent to keep appointment. Excellent value.
The communication with them was great and easy. Great people to work with.
Very good to keep appointment. Very responsive in communication.
Very good way to keep track of satisfaction of customers.
Excellent responsiveness in communication. Excellent work quality. Excellent to keep appointment.
Bubbas Handyman did a variety of work for us, cleaned gutters, drywall repair, painting, Hung Shelving and various misc. items, installed exterior handrails for us. We were very pleased with the service, professionalism and prices. Everyone was friendly a...
Everything You Need to Know About Charles City Roofers
My Roofing Services project in Charles City is really small. How much should I expect to spend?
The lowest price we could find for roofing services work in Charles City is about $0.00. You should expect to pay at least this much depending on the scope of your project.
Roofing Contractor work at this level can sometimes involve several steps or phases. Cost for every project will differ depending on the quality of Roofing Contractor you hire, the type of materials required and the timeframe that you want to finish within.
How do I know that I found the right Roofing Contractor in Charles City for my roofing services project?
Finding the right roofing contractor for your project can be stressful.... when you don't search with Porch. We've pulled together everything you need to know about Roofing Services in Charles City so you can have some peace of mind before starting your project.
Here’s what you need to know to choose the right roofing contractor in Charles City:
- Are they properly licensed? Charles City has 4 licensed Roofers Pros.
- Are they BBB accredited? 16 pros in Charles City are.
- Check if they are they BBB rated: 23 are A-rated in Charles City.
- Is the quality worth the price? Make sure to find the roofing contractor that can deliver the quality you're looking for, without going way over your budget. Don't forget that every job is going to be different.
- Speak with them over the phone: Contact multiple roofers pros to see if you’re on the same page when it comes to your project.
What should I check for once my Roofing Contractor in Charles City has finished working?
Every roofing services project is going to have different results, but here are a few things to check for once any roofing services company has told you they've finished the job:
- Obviously you want to do a visual inspection. Even if you're unfamiliar with roofing services work, this gives you the opportunity to ask questions (even basic ones like, what did you do?).
- Ask the roofing contractor to describe what they did. Whether your roofing services project was a repair job or a building job, have them run you through what was done.
- Compare the description provided on your roofing services project estimate to the work completed. Did the professional do what was promised?
- Request that the roofing contractor do a follow-up visit to check on the work. Most professionals are willing to do this, especially if you ask them.
