Montgomery County · 19012 · 19027
Roof repair and replacement in Cheltenham, PA
Schist-stone houses from the 1890s to the 1930s, postwar neighborhoods built where estates once stood, and two historic districts with their own review board. Cheltenham roofs come in more varieties than most.
- 5.0 on Google
- PA HIC #201201
- NJ HIC #13VH14078100
Roofing in Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s houses and their roofs.
Philadelphia's railroad and department-store fortunes built country estates here in the late 1800s, and when the Gilded Age ended, many were broken up for houses. The township's comprehensive plan says Elkins Park was mostly built between the 1890s and the 1930s, in styles from Queen Anne to Colonial Revival, and that local Wissahickon schist stonework ties the neighborhoods together. Cedarbrook, by contrast, is largely postwar.
Census estimates count about 15,400 homes in the township. Twenty-nine percent were built before 1940 and another 23 percent in the 1950s; in Wyncote, the older share is closer to 38 percent. The plan's housing count was about half detached houses, with apartments, twins and rows making up the rest.
Wyncote's National Register district has 178 contributing buildings, nearly all built between 1865 and 1934, and La Mott was certified as a historic district in 1975. Both fall under the township's Board of Historical Architectural Review, which can weigh in on roofs.
Know the house
Roofs you’ll find around Cheltenham.
Stone houses in Elkins Park, Wyncote and Chelten Hills
Steep, cut-up roofs with dormers, turrets and big chimneys set into schist walls. The flashing where roof meets stone is the weak spot, and it is usually the first thing to fix, ahead of the field shingles.
Slate and mansard roofs
Some older houses still carry slate, including mansards. We don't repair or install slate, but a free inspection tells you honestly whether yours is failing before anyone quotes a tear-off.
Postwar Cedarbrook and Chelten Hills
Tri-levels and Colonials from after World War II, with roofs at several heights. Step flashing and the low-slope sections over additions are where these leak.
Twins and small lots in La Mott and Cheltenham Village
Narrow lots, shared walls and roofs that meet a neighbor's. A re-roof on one side needs a clean, sealed transition at the party line.
A township known for its tree canopy
The township's plan says it plainly: Cheltenham is known for its tree canopy. Mature street trees and wooded creek valleys along the Tookany and Rock Creek drop leaves and seed pods into valleys and gutters, and shaded north slopes stay wet long after a storm.
Old stone houses add a second problem. Winter freeze-thaw works water into the mortar joints where counterflashing is set, and a chimney that looks fine from the street can be letting water in behind the flashing. That is why our inspections start in the attic, where the stains show first.
Services in Cheltenham
What we do for Cheltenham homes.
Free Roof Inspection in Cheltenham
A free, photo-documented inspection that tells you whether an older roof needs replacing or just its flashing, written up so you can decide with real information.
Roof Repair in Cheltenham
Chimney and wall flashing on stone houses, dormer leaks and storm-blown shingles, with a written workmanship warranty on the repaired area.
Roof Replacement in Cheltenham
For postwar houses and older roofs past saving: full tear-off, ice and water shield at valleys and wall joints, and in-kind materials documented if you're in a historic district.
Commercial Roofing in Cheltenham
Churches, institutional buildings and apartment buildings, including their flat and low-slope sections.
Also available in Cheltenham: Storm Damage & Insurance Claims · Siding
Google reviews · 5.0★
From our Google reviews
“Not only did Dave go around to 5 stores trying to find an exact color match but matched the shingles perfectly. Kind, reasonable price and efficient and stands behind his work. Thank you Dave”
“Dave and his team at Mission Roof were wonderful to work with. First, Dave’s insight and knowledge was invaluable (from picking the shingle type, to explaining ice shield and drip edge, to sharing some concerns about our chimneys stability). Although we had a small existing leak already, he gave us a really detailed summary and view of the current condition of the whole roof to help us decide what we wanted to do next. He also outlined all the various ways to improve our current roof configuration (e.g removing an old attic fan that was too small to adequately cool the attic - in exchange for a ridge vent system that is already much better at cooling the space, adding bathroom fan vents where they were missing, replacing old sheeting, and more). His team was respectful, efficient, and diligent. They kept trash contained, used magnets to find dropped nails, and left the place better than they found it. We are so happy with the result - both in appearance and function.”
Cheltenham questions
Roofing in Cheltenham, answered.
Something else? Call or text (484) 647-7466, or read the full questions & answers.
My house is in the Wyncote or La Mott historic district. Do I need approval to replace my roof?
Not if the new roof is genuinely in kind, meaning the same material, size, profile, color and method of installation. You still file a certificate of appropriateness application with photos so the Director of Planning and Zoning can confirm it's in kind; anything different goes to the review board.
Does the historic review apply to all of Elkins Park?
No. The township's review covers only the La Mott and Wyncote historic districts. Elsewhere in the township, a roof replacement goes through the normal permit process, which we handle.
Should I replace my old slate?
Not automatically. Slate often leaks because of failed flashing or nails, not worn-out stone. We don't work on slate ourselves, but our inspection looks at both and tells you honestly whether yours is worth keeping or due for a shingle replacement.
How do you protect plantings and stone walkways during a tear-off?
Tarps go over landscaping, air conditioners and patios before the first shingle comes off, and we run a magnetic sweep for nails every day and again at the end.
Near Cheltenham
See every town we serve.
Roofing guides
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Not all roofing contractors are equal. Choosing the wrong one can mean poor workmanship, surprise costs and problems that show up long after the job is "finished." Here are four ways to protect your home.
Roof inspections · 2 min read
What to expect from an honest roof inspection
Saw a ceiling stain or a few shingles in the yard? Here is what a real inspection looks like and what you should get at the end of one.
Insurance claims · 2 min read
Insurance roof claims without the headache
A roof claim is stressful even when it goes well. Here is what should happen before the adjuster arrives, during the claim and before the job starts, so there is no surprise bill on install day.
Free roof inspection
Let’s take a look at your roof.
Anywhere in Cheltenham and the towns around it. Pick a time online, call, or send us the basics here and we’ll get back to you to set it up. No pressure, and the quote is good for 30 days.
(484) 647-7466That’s (484) MISSION · team@mission-roof.org
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 8 am – 4 pm
- Office
- 41 University Dr, Suite 400
Newtown, PA 18940