What we replace
While most Brooklyn buildings have flat roofs, the borough also has a substantial pitched-roof inventory: detached single-family homes in Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay, Marine Park, and parts of Bensonhurst; row houses with pitched front and back sections; and Victorian-era homes in pockets of Crown Heights and East New York.
If your building has slate, asphalt shingles, metal, or wood shingles, you're in pitched-roof territory. The systems and the spec are different from flat roof work.
The materials we install
Architectural Asphalt Shingle
The default for most Brooklyn pitched roofs. GAF Timberline, CertainTeed Landmark, Owens Corning Duration. 30-50 year material warranties. Cost-effective and low-maintenance.
Natural Slate
For historic homes where authenticity matters. 75-100+ year lifespan. Vermont, Pennsylvania, or Spanish quarry. Premium pricing reflects premium longevity. Requires copper or stainless flashings.
Synthetic Slate
DaVinci Roofscapes and similar — the slate look without the structural load or cost. 50-year warranties. Good fit for Crown Heights and Park Slope homes where landmark approval permits it.
Standing Seam Metal
Long-life premium choice. 50+ year lifespan, fully recyclable, qualifies for cool-roof rebates. Higher upfront cost but lowest lifetime cost-per-year of any roofing material.
Cedar / Wood Shake
Rare in Brooklyn but applicable to a few Victorian-era homes. 25-30 year lifespan with maintenance. Subject to fire-treatment requirements per NYC code.
Tile (Concrete or Clay)
Limited Brooklyn application but installable. 50+ year lifespan. Heavy — structural assessment is mandatory before installation.
What goes into a complete replacement
A roof replacement isn't just stripping shingles and laying new ones. The full assembly determines longevity:
- Tear-off vs. overlay. Code allows up to 2 layers of asphalt shingle in most cases. We almost always recommend tear-off — an overlay hides deck rot, voids most warranties, and adds significant weight.
- Deck inspection & repair. Once the old roof is off, we walk every inch of the deck looking for soft spots, rot, and improper sheathing. Replacement plywood is 5/8" CDX, fastened to spec.
- Ice and water shield. Self-adhered membrane at all eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. NYC code minimum is 36" up from the eave; we install 6 feet on most jobs.
- Synthetic underlayment. We use synthetic in place of felt — lasts longer, doesn't tear in wind, walks better in rain.
- Drip edge, valley flashing, step flashing. Where most leaks start. Aluminum or copper. Painted-aluminum flashing is standard; copper is upgrade.
- Ventilation. Ridge vent + soffit vent or attic fans. Inadequate ventilation kills shingles — cooks them from below in summer, traps moisture in winter.
- Shingles & ridge caps. Architectural shingles with manufacturer-matched ridge caps for the warranty.
Need it handled now?
Free estimates within 48 hours. Emergency response in 4–8 hours, depending on your location and how busy we are.
Pitched roof replacement cost in Brooklyn
| Material | Typical home (1,500-2,500 sq ft) | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingle (3-tab) | $8,000 – $14,000 | 20-25 yrs |
| Architectural asphalt shingle (premium) | $11,000 – $18,000 | 30-50 yrs |
| Synthetic slate | $22,000 – $38,000 | 50 yrs |
| Natural slate | $35,000 – $75,000+ | 75-100 yrs |
| Standing seam metal | $24,000 – $42,000 | 50+ yrs |
Pricing varies with pitch, complexity (dormers, valleys, hips), access, and whether scaffolding is required.