New Roofs, Replacements and Storm Damage

A roof installation done correctly protects your home for 25 to 30 years. Done incorrectly — wrong materials, skipped steps, poor flashing detail — it creates problems within the first few years that cost more to fix than a proper installation would have cost to begin with. Recon Reconstruction of Alabama installs residential roofing systems throughout Clanton and Central Alabama to the manufacturer specifications and installation standards that support the full material warranty and stand up to the demands of the Alabama climate.

Roof Installation Services We Provide

Whether you are replacing a storm-damaged roof, installing a roof on a new custom home, or reroofing a home that has reached the end of its service life, Recon Reconstruction manages the full scope of residential roof installation throughout Clanton and Chilton County.

New roof installation for custom homes and additions
Full roof replacement -- complete tear-off and replacement of existing roofing systems
Storm damage roof replacement with insurance claim coordination
Decking replacement -- structural roof decking repair or replacement identified during tear-off
Ventilation system installation -- ridge vents, soffit vents, and balanced attic airflow systems
Flashing installation -- chimney, valley, pipe penetration, and wall flashing for proper waterproofing
Ice and water shield installation at all vulnerable areas
Gutter system coordination where replacement is warranted as part of the roofing scope

The Full Tear-Off Process What We Do Before a Single Shingle Goes On

Every roof replacement Recon Reconstruction performs begins with full tear-off. No exceptions.

We remove all existing shingles, underlayment, and deteriorated materials down to the roof decking. This process takes more time and costs more than installing new shingles over an existing layer. It also produces a significantly better result in every measurable way.

Here is why full tear-off matters.

Installing new shingles over existing layers adds substantial weight to the roof structure — weight that was not accounted for in the original engineering of your home’s framing. It voids most manufacturer warranties on the new shingles because the installation does not meet the substrate requirements those warranties specify. It conceals the decking beneath, making it impossible to identify and replace deteriorated sections that will eventually allow water intrusion. And it shortens the effective service life of the new roofing system because the compromised substrate beneath accelerates shingle wear from below.

Full tear-off allows us to see and address the actual condition of your roof system. The shingles we install go on a clean, inspected, sound substrate — which is the foundation of a roof installation that performs for its full rated lifespan.

Roof Decking Inspection and Replacement The Step Most Contractors Skip

After tear-off, before any new materials go on, we walk every square foot of exposed decking. We are looking for soft spots, delamination, rot, water staining, and any section where the decking has lost the structural integrity required to properly hold fasteners and support the roofing system above it.

Compromised decking sections are replaced before installation continues. This is not optional and it is not an upsell. A roof installed over deteriorated decking will develop fastener pull-through, shingle lifting, and water intrusion at the compromised areas regardless of how well the visible roofing components are installed.

We document every section of decking we replace — with photographs and measurements — which also creates a record for your insurance claim if the decking damage was related to a storm or long-term water intrusion event.

Roofing Installation Services

Roofing Materials We Install
in Clanton and Chilton County

Material selection is a conversation we have with every homeowner before installation begins. Here is what we typically install and why.

Architectural Asphalt Shingles

Our standard residential roofing product for most homes in the Clanton area. Architectural shingles offer significantly better wind resistance than 3-tab shingles -- rated for winds up to 110 mph or higher depending on the product -- along with a better aesthetic profile and longer rated lifespan. For most homeowners in Chilton County, architectural shingles represent the best balance of performance, longevity, and cost.

Impact-Resistant Class 4 Shingles

For homeowners in areas that have experienced repeated hail events, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are worth serious consideration. They carry the highest impact resistance rating available in asphalt shingle products and may qualify homeowners for insurance premium discounts that offset the modest cost premium over standard architectural shingles. We discuss whether Class 4 shingles make sense for your specific home, location, and insurance situation on every project where they are a relevant option.

Underlayment Systems

We install synthetic underlayment rather than traditional felt paper on every roof we install. Synthetic underlayment offers significantly better tear resistance during installation, better performance under foot traffic, better moisture management, and longer exposure tolerance if the installation is interrupted by weather. It is a better product by every measure and it is our standard -- not an upgrade.

Ventilation Systems

Attic ventilation is a roofing component that directly affects shingle lifespan, energy performance, and moisture management in the attic assembly. Ridge vent paired with properly sized continuous soffit intake creates balanced airflow that reduces heat buildup, extends shingle life, reduces cooling costs, and prevents the moisture accumulation that leads to decking deterioration and mold growth. We assess the existing ventilation system on every reroof and address deficiencies as part of the installation scope.

Flashing Installation

Flashing is the most failure-prone component in most residential roofing systems. Chimney flashing, valley flashing, pipe penetration boots, wall flashing, and step flashing at roof-to-wall transitions are all points where water management requires precision installation. We replace all flashing as part of a complete roof replacement -- not just the sections that are visibly damaged. Leaving old flashing in place under new shingles is one of the most common sources of premature roof leaks.

Storm Damage Roof Replacement and Insurance Claims

A significant portion of the roof replacements we perform in Clanton and Chilton County are insurance claims following hail or high-wind events. The process works as follows.

We perform a thorough roof inspection that documents all storm-related damage — granule loss, shingle bruising, decking exposure, flashing damage, and any structural compromise — with photographs and written documentation to the standard your insurance adjuster requires. We communicate directly with your adjuster, present the documentation, and advocate for a scope that reflects the full extent of damage to your roofing system.

If your adjuster’s initial assessment is insufficient — which is not uncommon following significant storm events — we present our documentation and work through the scope dispute before you accept any settlement. We have managed this process with every major carrier serving the Clanton area for over 27 years.

New Roof Installation for Custom Homes and Additions

When Recon Reconstruction builds a custom home or home addition, the roofing installation is fully integrated into the construction scope. We do not subcontract the roofing to a separate crew. The same licensed team that manages the structural framing manages the roofing installation above it — which means the coordination between framing tolerances, decking installation, and roofing details is handled by people who know the full construction context of the project.

For custom homes and additions, we specify roofing systems appropriate for the specific architectural design, pitch, and exposure conditions of the structure. Roof pitch, valley configurations, dormers, and penetration locations all affect the installation approach and material requirements. We address all of those details in the pre-construction planning phase so the roofing installation proceeds without delays.

Roof Installation Warranty What It Covers and What Voids It

Every roof we install carries both a manufacturer material warranty and a workmanship warranty from Recon Reconstruction. Here is what homeowners need to understand about both.

Manufacturer material warranties cover defects in the shingle product itself — delamination, premature granule loss, manufacturing defects. These warranties typically run 25 to 50 years depending on the product line. They are voided by improper installation — incorrect nailing patterns, installation over existing shingles, incorrect fastener type, improper underlayment, or installation outside the manufacturer’s specified temperature range. We install to manufacturer specifications on every job specifically to protect the warranty coverage our clients are paying for.

Workmanship warranties cover installation-related failures — flashing leaks, improper sealing, fastener issues. Our workmanship warranty covers the installation work we perform. If a failure occurs that is attributable to our installation rather than the material or an external event, we return and address it at no cost.

What voids warranties — walking on the roof after installation by non-professionals, applying coatings not approved by the manufacturer, making repairs with incompatible materials, or failing to maintain gutters and drainage systems that allow water to back up against the roofing system. We walk every homeowner through proper roof maintenance practices at project completion.

What to Expect During Your Roof Installation in Clanton

Understanding the installation process reduces stress and sets accurate expectations. Here is what a typical roof replacement looks like from first contact through completion.

Assessment and estimate — We inspect the roof, document the condition, discuss material options, and provide a written estimate. For insurance claims, we document damage at this stage.

Material ordering — Once the project is confirmed, materials are ordered. Lead times for roofing materials in the Central Alabama market are typically three to seven business days depending on product availability.

Pre-installation — We confirm the installation date, arrange dumpster delivery for tear-off debris, and notify you of any weather-related schedule considerations.

Installation day — Tear-off, decking inspection and replacement where needed, underlayment, ice and water shield, flashing, and shingle installation. For most homes this is a one to two day process.

Cleanup — We perform a thorough cleanup of the property including magnetic nail sweep of all ground areas around the home. Debris and old materials are removed from the site.

Final inspection — We walk the completed installation with you, review the warranty documentation, and answer any questions about maintenance and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Roof Installation in Clanton, AL

How long does a roof installation take in Clanton?

Most residential roof replacements in the Clanton area are completed in one to two days for standard-sized homes with straightforward roof geometry. Larger homes, complex roof designs with multiple planes and valleys, steep pitch roofs, or roofs with significant decking replacement needs may take three to four days. We confirm a realistic completion timeline before work begins and communicate immediately if weather or material conditions affect the schedule.

What is the best roofing material for Alabama weather?

For most homes in Clanton and Chilton County, we recommend architectural asphalt shingles in a Class 4 impact-resistant grade. They carry wind resistance ratings appropriate for Alabama's storm season, significantly outlast standard 3-tab shingles, and the Class 4 impact rating may qualify homeowners for insurance premium discounts. We discuss material options on every project and match the recommendation to your specific home, budget, and insurance situation rather than defaulting to whatever is easiest to install.

Should I repair or replace my roof?

The honest answer depends on the age of the roof, the extent of the damage, and the condition of the overall system. A roof under ten years old with isolated damage from a single impact event may be a repair candidate. A roof over 15 years old with widespread granule loss, multiple compromised areas, or storm damage is almost always a better candidate for replacement -- repeated repairs on an aging system cost more over time than a single replacement and leave you with an aging system between repairs. We give you a straight assessment based on the actual condition of your roof, not on what generates a larger job.

What does a roof installation cost in Clanton, AL?

Roof installation cost depends on the size of the roof, the pitch and complexity of the design, the materials specified, and the extent of decking replacement required after tear-off. We provide written estimates on every project after a thorough assessment. We do not quote prices without seeing the roof -- any contractor who gives you a firm price without an inspection is either guessing or planning to add significant costs after work begins. Call us at 205-955-0807 to schedule a free assessment and written estimate.

How do I know if my roof decking needs to be replaced?

In most cases, you cannot determine decking condition without tear-off. Signs that suggest potential decking issues include visible sagging or waviness in the roof plane, soft spots you can feel when walking the roof, persistent leaks in the same location despite shingle repairs, and significant water staining in the attic beneath the roof deck. We assess decking condition thoroughly during tear-off and document every section that requires replacement before any new materials are installed.

Does a new roof increase home value in Alabama?

Yes, consistently. Roof replacement has one of the strongest returns on investment of any home improvement project in the Alabama market. A new roof removes a major concern for buyers, eliminates the risk of inspection findings that complicate a sale, and in many cases allows sellers to command a premium over comparable homes with aging roof systems. The precise return varies by neighborhood and price point but a new roof is rarely a poor investment in the Central Alabama residential market.

Need a New Roof in Clanton or Chilton County?

Call Kyle McRae directly at 205-955-0807 for a free roofing assessment and written estimate.

We inspect the roof, discuss your options, and give you a straight answer on what your home actually needs.