Glastonbury reaches from the Connecticut River up into wooded hills, and its houses span almost every period since the late 1600s. At the river's edge, the Rocky Hill–Glastonbury ferry has crossed since 1655 and is regarded as the oldest continuously operating ferry in the country.
Three historic areas, three kinds of roof
Main Street. The Glastonbury Historic District along Main Street is known for an unusually large share of 17th- and 18th-century houses. These are timber-framed buildings, many with center chimneys, whose roofs have been replaced many times over.
South Glastonbury. The National Register nomination for the South Glastonbury Historic District counts about 80 structures around the village center, 15 of them from the 18th century. No 17th-century houses survive there, though the area was settled in the 1600s.
The ferry landing. On Tryon Street in the Glastonbury–Rocky Hill Ferry Historic District stands the c. 1700 Thomas Treat house, along with several other early 18th-century houses.
The rest of town
Most Glastonbury houses are not in a historic district. Neighborhoods built from the 1950s on range from Capes and ranches near the center to large Colonials and contemporary houses in the hills. On the bigger houses, the replacement details that matter most are:
- Valleys and dormers. Open metal valleys or woven valleys, and new step flashing at every dormer cheek.
- Skylights. A replacement is the time to replace or remove aging skylights rather than flash around them.
- Tree cover. Shaded roofs in the hills hold moisture and grow moss. Algae-resistant shingles and keeping branches trimmed back help.
- Snow shedding. Steep roofs over decks and walkways may need snow guards, especially with metal.
From a Main Street Colonial to a house in the hills, call to talk with a roofer who replaces roofs in Glastonbury.Mon–Fri 8:30 am–7 pm, Sat 9 am–4 pm (Eastern)
(844) 505-0987Glastonbury roof replacement questions
- Which parts of Glastonbury are historic districts?
- The town has several, including the Glastonbury Historic District along Main Street and the South Glastonbury Historic District around the village center. Properties inside a local historic district generally need commission approval before a change of roofing material.
- Has Glastonbury's historic district commission approved metal roofs?
- Commissions decide case by case. Glastonbury's has, for example, considered roofing on non-original roofs that would look like standing seam metal. Bring product details and photos of the house to the application.
- Do newer Glastonbury houses need anything special?
- Large newer houses often have complex roofs with many valleys, dormers and skylights, plus big attic spaces that need balanced ventilation. Those details drive how long a replacement takes.