Asphalt Shingle Roofing in New Gloucester, Maine

Census estimates put New Gloucester at about 2,260 housing units with a median year built of 1991. About 11 percent of homes predate 1940 and roughly one in five predates 1960, but the largest share, about 31 percent, has been built in 2000 or later. Only about 15 percent date from 1960 to 1979, a much thinner mid-century layer than in neighboring Gray. Around 70 percent of units are single-family detached houses, and about 83 percent of occupied homes are owner-occupied. Seasonal homes are rare, about two dozen by the survey's count, so nearly every house here is lived in year-round. The oldest houses are notable: the village holds many wood-frame houses built before 1810 in Georgian and Federal styles, and Intervale Farm's circa-1811 brick farmhouse is joined to its barn by a string of wood-frame additions.

New Gloucester is inland farm country, with the town center at roughly 364 feet and no salt exposure. The nearest long-term record is next door: NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for the Gray station list about 84 inches of snow a year, and January there averages near 22 degrees. The town's own code enforcement handout gives the figures it builds to, a total snow load of 70 pounds per square foot and a 100 mph wind speed. Open fields along the Intervale and around the farms let wind drive snow and rain against the long walls of connected farmhouses, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles work into any joint that holds water.

New Gloucester's Code Enforcement Officer, who also serves as plumbing inspector and health officer, issues building permits. Under Article 6.1.1 of the zoning ordinance, no structure may be erected, moved, added to or structurally altered without one. The office's handout says regular maintenance such as roofing, siding and window replacement needs no permit when it does not alter the structure. Decks do: the permit checklist asks for a foundation plan, framing cross sections and a signed plot plan with setbacks. The town's FAQ notes that work within 100 feet of a water body may need Maine DEP approval.

Architectural (dimensional) asphalt shingles are the most common roof in Maine for good reason: they are affordable, they come in many colors and textures, and a good system handles snow, ice and wind well. Several projects on this site used CertainTeed Landmark shingles. What separates a long-lived shingle roof from a short-lived one is mostly underneath: ice and water protection at the eaves, correct nailing, and balanced ventilation.

• Tear-off to the deck and sheathing repair where needed.
• Ice and water shield at eaves, valleys and around penetrations; underlayment over the rest.
• Starter strip and drip edge at the edges, then shingles nailed in the manufacturer's nail zone.
• Step flashing at walls, new pipe boots, and chimney flashing as needed.
• Hip and ridge caps over a ridge vent, balanced with intake at the soffits.

• Granules washing into the gutters and bald patches on the shingles
• Shingles that curl, cup, or lift in wind
• Leaks around chimneys, vents or skylights
• Moss or dark streaking on shaded slopes

• Roof area and pitch
• Shingle line and color
• Layers to tear off and deck repairs
• Flashing and ventilation work
• Number of valleys, dormers and penetrations

Every job is priced from a free on-site visit. Typical ranges for the trade are on our roofing page, and the details of this service are on the architectural asphalt shingle roofing overview.

For a deeper walkthrough of materials, code details and photos, see our full Asphalt Shingle Roofing: Underlayment, Shingle Types, and What Voids a Warranty guide.

Back to the New Gloucester exterior services overview, or see every town on our service areas page.