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Roofers in Portsmouth, NH
Historic house that needs a careful re-roof, or a leak you need found and fixed? Call (978) 577-5300 or send the form for a free estimate on Portsmouth roof repair or replacement. We'll review your request and help you with the next step.
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- South End to Atlantic Heights
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Roofing services in Portsmouth
Need roofing work in Portsmouth?
Whether you've found a leak, noticed worn or missing shingles, or think it's time for a new roof, start with the service that matches your situation.
Roof Replacement
Tear-off, deck repair, ice and water barrier and a new roof, done to code.
Roof Repair & Leaks
Flashing, vent boots, missing shingles and leak tracing, plus inspections.
Flat & Rubber Roofs
EPDM, TPO and modified bitumen on low-slope roofs, porches and additions.
Ice Dams
Safe removal, plus the insulation and ventilation fixes that stop them.
Storm Damage
Tarping and repairs after wind, falling limbs, hail and heavy snow.
Portsmouth roofs, neighborhood by neighborhood
What's on the roofs in Portsmouth
Portsmouth grew up as a colonial port on the Piscataqua River, and its housing shows it. Census estimates put about a third of its homes before 1940 and about half before 1960. The city's local Historic District covers roughly 1,200 buildings in its urban core, with 17th-century, Georgian, Federal, Italianate and later Victorian architecture. About half the homes are single-family houses, about a third are in buildings with five or more units, and roughly half are owner-occupied. Portsmouth has about 22,000 residents.
South End
A tightly built neighborhood of wooden houses along the Piscataqua River, and part of the local Historic District.
Downtown
The commercial core was rebuilt in the 19th century in local red brick, with Federal-era and later buildings.
North End and Christian Shore
Another component of the Historic District, north of downtown.
West End
Added to the Historic District in 2010, along with the Haymarket Square and Middle Street area closer to downtown.
Atlantic Heights
Built in 1918 and 1919 for workers at the Atlantic Corporation shipyard, about a mile north of downtown. More than 120 houses in seven designs, listed on the National Register in 2006.
Portsmouth houses
Roofing Portsmouth's historic houses and newer homes
Wood shingle and slate. These are the traditional roofing materials in the Historic District, and the Commission strongly discourages removing them for good. Slate can often be repaired one piece at a time; get a slate-experienced opinion before a tear-off.
Asphalt on older houses. Where asphalt is already on the roof, the Commission's guidelines recommend matching the color, shape and texture when repairing or replacing it, or weathered-wood-colored architectural shingles where wood isn't practical.
Chimneys, gutters and snow guards. Old houses here have big chimneys, original gutters and snow guards. Flashing should last as long as the roof, and the guidelines ask owners to keep original gutter and snow guard systems where they can.
Shipyard-era and newer homes. Atlantic Heights' single and two-family houses and the city's post-war neighborhoods are simpler roofs, and the likeliest to have two layers already, which means a tear-off.
Repair or replace? See roof repair, roof replacement and ice dams.
Permits and historic review
Roofing permits in Portsmouth
Building permit. Portsmouth's Inspection Department, at City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue, requires a building permit for residential roofing. Repairing roofing material is treated as an ordinary repair only up to $3,000 in total cost. The city uses the Viewpoint online permitting system.
Historic District Commission. In the Historic District, most exterior changes need a Certificate of Approval before work starts. The Commission's roofing guidelines exempt re-roofing that keeps the roof plane and material, regardless of color. Skylights and solar panels should be kept out of public view where possible. A Commission application adds at least a month, so plan ahead.
Hiring. New Hampshire has no state roofing license. Get written, itemized estimates and proof of insurance before you choose. We verify the credentials a job requires before we send a contractor any calls.
Roofing Service Pros is a referral service. We don't pull permits or do roofing work. The roofing contractor who does the job handles the permit.
FAQ
Portsmouth roofing questions
Does Portsmouth require a permit for a new roof?
Yes. The city's Inspection Department says residential roofing needs a building permit. Its list of ordinary repairs that don't need an application includes repairing roofing material, but only when the total cost is $3,000 or less. The department is at City Hall, 1 Junkins Avenue.
My house is in the Historic District. Do I need approval to re-roof?
Not always. The Historic District Commission's 2016 roofing guidelines say re-roofing that keeps the same roof plane and the same material doesn't need a Certificate of Approval, whatever the color. Changing materials, such as wood shingle or slate to asphalt, changing the roof shape or adding dormers generally does need review.
How much time does Historic District review add?
The Inspection Department warns that a Historic District application adds at least an extra month to the review process, so plan ahead if your project needs one. The application needs drawings or photos and manufacturer cut sheets.
We live in Atlantic Heights. What should we know about the roof?
Atlantic Heights was built in 1918 and 1919 for shipyard workers, with more than 120 houses in seven designs, all of them single-family or two-family today. It's on the National Register, which doesn't add a permit review on its own. On a two-family, coordinate the job with the other owner or unit, since the roof is shared.
Do homeowners pay to use Roofing Service Pros?
No. The call and the referral are free. Your price and contract are between you and the roofing contractor.
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