Montgomery County seat
Roof repair and replacement in Norristown, PA
Nearly half of Norristown's homes are rowhouses or twins, a third predate 1940, and two historic districts have written rules for what replaces slate. Here is what that means for yours.
- 5.0 on Google
- PA HIC #201201
- NJ HIC #13VH14078100
Roofing in Norristown
Norristown’s houses and their roofs.
The county seat sits on hilly ground above the Schuylkill River, cut into thirds by Stony Creek and Saw Mill Run. Its housing is attached more than anything else: Census figures count about 6,500 single-family attached homes, close to half of the municipality's 13,900 units, against fewer than 1,900 detached houses. One in three homes was built before 1940.
Much of that older stock sits inside two National Register districts, Central Norristown and West Norristown, listed in 1984. The West Norristown district alone holds about 1,700 buildings, mostly rowhouses and twins developed between 1885 and 1925. Norristown's own code makes both districts local historic districts too, with a review board, the HARB, whose guidelines speak directly to roofs.
For a homeowner, that means a re-roof on a street-facing slope can involve more than a permit. We read the rule with you before any shingle is ordered.
Know the house
Roofs you’ll find around Norristown.
Rowhouses and twins in West Norristown
Developed mostly between 1885 and 1925. Where a pitched front roof drains onto a low-slope rear section, leaks tend to start at the joint between the two and at the party-wall flashing shared with the house next door.
Downtown and Central district houses
Greek Revival and Italianate buildings with cornices, chimneys and in places slate. The HARB treats those details as character-defining, so repairs keep the trim and the roof shape intact.
Postwar houses
About 6,000 of Norristown's homes went up between 1950 and 1979. Those roofs are past their first covering by now, and an attic check usually tells us whether the decking survived the earlier ones.
Hills, two creeks and the river below
Hilltop rows catch wind that sheltered streets don't, and older pitched roofs drain onto low-slope rear sections that hold water after a hard rain. When the remnants of Hurricane Ida came through on September 1, 2021, the Schuylkill at Norristown crested at a record 26.85 feet, double its flood stage. River water is not a roof problem, but a rain like that finds every cracked boot and tired flashing seam above it.
After a heavy storm, the cheapest fix is the one made before the ceiling stains. A free inspection includes the attic, where water shows first.
Services in Norristown
What we do for Norristown homes.
Roof Repair in Norristown
Flashing where a rowhouse's main roof meets its rear section, party-wall seams and chimneys, repaired with a written warranty on the area and before-and-after photos.
Roof Replacement in Norristown
In the HARB zone, the code asks that shingles replacing slate look similar in shape, size and profile, and that fascia and trim not be capped. We plan the job around that before you sign.
Free Roof Inspection in Norristown
Every penetration, the low-slope rear roof and the attic checked, with a photo report that says whether you need a repair, a partial or a full roof.
Storm Damage & Insurance Claims in Norristown
When wind lifts shingles, we document the damage, attend the adjuster meeting at no charge and submit supplements for hidden damage.
Also available in Norristown: Siding · Commercial Roofing
Google reviews · 5.0★
From our Google reviews
“David and his staff were incredible! They were very helpful throughout the claims process and extremely efficient with the roof repair. They went above and beyond. I would highly recommend them”
Norristown questions
Roofing in Norristown, answered.
Something else? Call or text (484) 647-7466, or read the full questions & answers.
Is my Norristown house in a historic district?
Norristown's code names two, West Norristown and Central Norristown, matching the National Register districts, and the strictest review applies inside the HARB zone on the municipal map. Check your address with the municipality, or ask us to look before we quote.
Can I replace my slate with asphalt shingles in the HARB zone?
The code allows for it with conditions: the replacement shingle should look similar in shape, size and profile to the slate, and roof fascia and trim may not be capped unless they were already capped. The certificate of appropriateness comes from Municipal Council on HARB's advice.
Does work on a back roof need HARB review?
The ordinance reviews work on any part of a building visible from the public way, and it excludes alleys. A rear roof seen only from the alley may fall outside review, but confirm it with the municipality first.
My neighbor's roof is newer than mine. Is that a problem?
Not by itself. The seam between two attached roofs just has to be flashed properly, and we show you in photos how we tied into the neighbor's side.
Near Norristown
See every town we serve.
Roofing guides
Hiring a roofer · 3 min read
Hire the right roofer: 4 ways to choose one you can trust
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 Norristown 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