Roofing for Albany’s older housing

Albany has some of the oldest housing stock in the Capital Region, and its roofs reflect that. In Center Square, Hudson/Park, the Mansion District and the South End, brick rowhouses from the 1800s often have flat or low-slope roofs hidden behind parapet walls. They drain toward the back of the building or to internal drains, and when they leak it is usually at a parapet, a chimney or a clogged drain, not in the middle of the roof.

Further west, Pine Hills, Helderberg, Buckingham Pond and Whitehall are mostly early and mid 20th century colonials, Tudors and foursquares with steeper roofs, dormers, and sometimes original slate. Those roofs need careful flashing work at dormers and chimneys and a roofer who won’t crack good slate to fix a bad one.

What we do most in Albany

• Flat roof repair and replacement on rowhouses and mixed-use buildings, with EPDM or TPO
• Chimney and parapet flashing, the most common leak point on older city roofs
• Full roof replacements on single-family homes, with ice and water shield and proper ventilation
• Commercial roofs on storefronts, offices and multifamily buildings downtown and along Central Avenue
• Storm and ice dam repairs after winter

Historic districts and permits

Much of central Albany sits in local historic districts. Exterior work there, including roofing material changes and some color choices, can need approval from the city’s Historic Resources Commission, and most full replacements need a building permit. We check your address before we quote, so the estimate reflects what the city will allow and the schedule accounts for any review.

Albany winters and your roof

Albany roofs take a beating from heavy snow, ice storms and long freeze-thaw stretches. On pitched roofs that means ice dams at the eaves; on flat roofs it means ponding water that freezes and stresses the seams. We install ice and water shield where ice dams form, keep attic ventilation balanced so snow melts evenly, and make sure flat roofs drain.

Multifamily and rental properties

Two-family houses and small apartment buildings make up a big share of Albany’s housing. We work with landlords and property managers on repairs and replacements, coordinate access with tenants and keep the building watertight at the end of each workday.

Also serving Menands

We work in the village of Menands, just north of the city line, on the same terms as Albany. Many Menands homes are early 20th century houses similar to those in north Albany neighborhoods.

Getting an estimate in Albany

Parking and access matter on city jobs. On narrow streets and rowhouse blocks we plan where the dumpster or trailer goes, whether a street permit is needed, and how materials get to the roof without blocking neighbors. It’s part of the estimate, so the schedule you get is one that works on your block.

Neighborhoods we cover

• Center Square
• Hudson/Park
• Pine Hills
• Helderberg
• Buckingham Pond
• Whitehall
• Park South
• Mansion District
• South End
• Arbor Hill
• West Hill
• Melrose
• New Scotland Avenue
• Menands