Founded in 1928, Pickard Roofing is one of Durham's longest-operating roofing companies and a member of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). The firm handles residential, commercial, and institutional work and is notably strong in restoration of older roofs including copper, slate, tile, sheet metal, and built-up systems. Pickard fabricates its own sheet metal and custom gutters and carries an A+ rating with the BBB.
The residential arm of a company family-owned since 1915 and now 100% employee-owned, Baker Home Exteriors carries CertainTeed ShingleMaster Premier status and employs HAAG-certified inspectors for storm and insurance work. It installs asphalt, metal, slate, and cedar roofing and is also EPA Lead-Safe and James Hardie Alliance Elite certified. The company holds an A+ accredited BBB rating and is licensed in both North and South Carolina.
Roof ReplacementRoof RepairStorm Damage RepairRoof InspectionMulti-Family RoofingMetal RoofingGuttersSiding & Windows
A BBB-accredited contractor with an A+ rating and roots dating to 1973, Faircloth Roofing specializes in commercial low-slope systems including TPO, EPDM, PVC membrane, built-up roofing, and modified bitumen, alongside standing-seam metal. The company is both CertainTeed and Owens Corning certified and is also a USFCR-verified federal vendor. It serves Durham, Raleigh, and surrounding Wake County communities for residential and commercial roofs.
A second-generation, family-owned company operating since 1973, Cole Roofing & Construction is a CertainTeed-certified ShingleMaster company licensed in North Carolina (License #77295). It installs shingle, flat, and metal roofs and handles re-roofs, tear-offs, storm and leak repairs, plus related exterior work like siding, gutters, and rotten-wood replacement. The company runs offices in Durham and Raleigh and offers emergency service across the Triangle.
Operating under the same name and management since 1961, The Aluminum Company of North Carolina is a Raleigh-Durham installer of metal roofing through its McElroy Metal partnership, plus asphalt and fiberglass shingle roofs from Owens Corning and CertainTeed. Based at a Durham showroom, the contractor primarily serves residential customers and also offers windows, siding, doors, and gutters. It is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
Metal RoofingAsphalt Shingle RoofingComposite RoofingRoof ReplacementGuttersWindows & SidingDoors
Established in 1988, Feazel is a GAF Master Elite contractor, GAF's highest residential roofing certification, serving Durham and surrounding Triangle communities. The company handles roof replacement, repair, and storm restoration for hail, wind, and ice, and has expanded into solar shingles and panel installation. Feazel also offers windows, siding, gutters, and gutter guards, operates across several states including North Carolina, and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
Serving North Carolina since 2003, Skywalker Roofing holds an unusually broad set of credentials: GAF partner, CertainTeed ShingleMaster, and Owens Corning Platinum Contractor. The company installs and services standing-seam metal as well as shingle roofs, offers FORTIFIED storm-resistant roofing, and lists Durham among its North Carolina service areas. It also provides commercial roofing plus siding, windows, gutters, and insulation.
Roof ReplacementRoof RepairStanding Seam Metal RoofingFORTIFIED RoofingCommercial RoofingRoof InspectionGuttersSiding & Windows
With more than 40 years in business and headquarters in nearby Cary, Legacy Construction & Roofing positions itself as one of the Triangle's largest residential roofing contractors. It has earned CertainTeed's highest credential, Select ShingleMaster, and carries an A+ accredited BBB rating. The company specializes in storm and hail damage repair with insurance-claim handling, and also installs new roofs, gutters, and light commercial systems across central North Carolina.
Durham-based WJM Roofing has been in business since 1995 and BBB-accredited with an A+ rating since 2016. The company takes a 'no job too small' approach, handling roof inspections, installations, upgrades, replacements, and ongoing repair work, plus gutters and insurance-claim assistance. Its focus is residential homeowners in the Durham area.
A family-owned company with about a decade of experience and offices in Winston-Salem, Big Anchor Roofing & Gutters serves Durham along with Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and the broader North Carolina Piedmont. It installs asphalt shingle, metal, tile, slate, and flat roofs using CertainTeed materials, and pairs roofing with a strong gutter and gutter-guard line plus emergency repair and insurance-claim support. The company is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating.
Verify North Carolina licensing for the project size
In North Carolina, any contractor performing construction valued at $40,000 or more must hold a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) — a threshold raised from $30,000 effective October 1, 2023. A roofer can hold a Specialty Contractor 'S(Roofing)' classification for roofing and decking work. Many full Durham roof replacements approach or clear the $40,000 threshold, so confirm your contractor's license at nclbgc.org before signing.
Confirm the Durham permit will be pulled
Roof replacements in Durham typically require a building permit submitted through the city's Dplans online portal, with fees calculated from the project's construction value (check the City-County Inspections fee schedule for current amounts). A reputable Durham roofer pulls the permit in their name and schedules the required inspection after tear-off and at completion. Be wary of any contractor who asks you to pull the permit yourself.
Prioritize manufacturer certifications
Look for credentials like GAF Master Elite, CertainTeed ShingleMaster/Select ShingleMaster, or Owens Corning Platinum. These designations require proof of licensing, insurance, and a track record, and they unlock enhanced manufacturer warranties. Several top Durham contractors hold one or more of these, which matters for both quality assurance and long-term coverage.
Choose materials suited to Durham's humid subtropical climate
Durham summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, so ask how a contractor handles attic ventilation and moisture control to prevent shingle aging, mold, and wood rot. Algae-resistant architectural shingles and properly vented ridge/soffit systems perform well locally. For exposed or premium homes, metal roofing stands up to heat and heavy rain over a long lifespan.
Check insurance, BBB standing, and storm-claim experience
Because the Triangle sees outer-band tropical rain and severe summer storms, confirm general liability and workers' compensation coverage, and verify BBB status directly on bbb.org rather than trusting a badge on a website. If you're filing a wind or hail claim, favor contractors with documented insurance-claim and HAAG-certified inspection experience.
Get detailed written estimates from local Triangle companies
Collect itemized written quotes that spell out tear-off, decking repair, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, cleanup, and warranty terms. Favor established contractors with a physical presence in Durham or the Triangle and local references, since they understand area neighborhoods, HOA rules, and the local inspection process, and will still be around to honor workmanship warranties.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a typical Durham home, an asphalt-shingle roof replacement generally runs about $7,000 to $14,000, with most homeowners landing near $7,000-$9,000 for a mid-sized roof. Pricing depends on roof size, pitch, decking condition, and material; a small 1,000 sq. ft. roof may fall around $4,500-$7,500, while larger homes or premium materials like metal cost more. Local costs run slightly below the national average.
Durham's humid subtropical climate brings heat, high humidity, and heavy summer thunderstorms, so algae-resistant architectural asphalt shingles with good attic ventilation are the most common and cost-effective choice. Metal roofing is increasingly popular for its heat resistance, durability, and long lifespan. Whatever the material, proper ridge-and-soffit ventilation and quality underlayment are essential to fight moisture and prolong roof life here.
Yes on both counts for most full replacements. North Carolina requires a license from the NC Licensing Board for General Contractors for construction work valued at $40,000 or more (a threshold raised from $30,000 on October 1, 2023), and roofers can hold an S(Roofing) specialty classification. Separately, the City or County of Durham requires a building permit (submitted via the Dplans portal) with inspections after tear-off and at completion. Your contractor should pull the permit.
In Durham's heat-and-humidity climate, a standard architectural asphalt-shingle roof typically lasts about 20-30 years, though intense summer sun, moisture, and storm exposure can shorten that without proper ventilation and maintenance. Metal roofs commonly last 40-70 years, and slate or tile can last even longer. Annual inspections and prompt repairs after major storms help you reach the upper end of the range.
Confirm an active NC general or specialty roofing license (nclbgc.org), proof of liability and workers' comp insurance, and verifiable BBB standing. Favor companies with manufacturer certifications such as GAF Master Elite or CertainTeed ShingleMaster, a real local Durham or Triangle presence, and experience handling Durham permits and storm-related insurance claims. Always get an itemized written estimate and clear warranty terms before signing.
Durham sits well inland, so it rarely takes a direct hurricane hit, but it regularly catches the outer bands of tropical systems plus frequent severe summer thunderstorms that deliver heavy rain, hail, and damaging wind. Sustained rainfall can cause leaks, wood rot, and flashing failures, so it's wise to inspect your roof after major storms and choose a contractor experienced with wind/hail claims and insurance documentation.
Roofing in Durham
Durham sits in North Carolina's Piedmont and has a humid subtropical climate that puts real stress on roofs. Summers are hot and sticky, with July and August highs around the upper 80s to low 90s and humidity that makes it feel hotter, while the city averages roughly 46-48 inches of rain a year. Frequent afternoon thunderstorms can drop three to five inches in a single month, and projections show extreme-heat days climbing in the decades ahead. That combination of UV intensity, heat cycling, and moisture accelerates shingle aging, encourages algae and mold growth, and makes attic ventilation and flashing quality just as important as the roof covering itself.
The most common roofing material across Durham's neighborhoods, from older homes near downtown and Trinity Park to newer subdivisions in South Durham and Bahama, is asphalt shingle, especially algae-resistant architectural shingles suited to the humid climate. Metal roofing has grown popular for its heat resistance and long lifespan, and you'll also find slate, tile, and copper on historic and higher-end properties, plus low-slope membrane systems (TPO, EPDM, PVC) and built-up roofs on Durham's commercial buildings. Proper ridge-and-soffit ventilation is a recurring theme among quality local installs because it directly affects how long any of these materials last.
On the regulatory side, North Carolina requires a license from the North Carolina Licensing Board for General Contractors (NCLBGC) for any construction work valued at $40,000 or more — a threshold raised from $30,000 effective October 1, 2023; roofers may hold a dedicated 'S(Roofing)' specialty classification for roofing and decking work. Smaller residential jobs valued under $40,000 on properties of 20 or fewer units can be exempt from the license requirement but must still meet local building codes. Locally, the City and County of Durham require a building permit for roof replacements, submitted through the Dplans online portal, with inspections after tear-off and at completion.
Because Durham's weather and permitting process both reward local know-how, choosing an experienced local contractor matters here. Established Triangle roofers understand how the area's heat and humidity affect ventilation choices, how to document wind and hail damage for insurance after the outer bands of tropical storms roll through, and how to navigate Durham's permit and inspection workflow. Several of the companies below have served Durham for decades and hold the strongest manufacturer certifications in the industry, meaning they can offer enhanced warranties and the kind of local accountability that an out-of-town storm-chaser simply cannot.
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