Franklin Lakes is one of Bergen County's affluent western suburban markets — half-acre+ lots, custom-built Colonials, Tudors, and Contemporaries from the 1960s through the 2000s, plus a few high-end gated communities (Bear's Nest, Indian Trail) with HOA-managed roofing standards. We work steadily here on architectural shingle, cedar shake, and slate replacement.
Franklin Lakes' tree-canopy density (mature oak, beech, hickory) makes seasonal valley + gutter maintenance more meaningful than in lower-canopy Bergen towns. Most of our service calls between October and December are preventive cleanouts rather than emergency leaks.
What We Work On in Franklin Lakes
Predominantly 1960s–2000s Colonial, Tudor Revival, and Contemporary custom homes on half-acre+ lots throughout the borough. Bear's Nest and Indian Trail gated communities have unified architectural standards and HOA-managed exterior approvals. Older pre-1960 stock in the eastern part of the borough includes farmhouses and ranches. A few mid-century Modern pockets in the western hills.
Common Franklin Lakes Jobs
- Colonial and Tudor architectural shingle replacement (premium-grade)
- Cedar shake restoration on Colonial Revival estates
- DaVinci synthetic slate for HOA-controlled aesthetic without slate weight
- Bear's Nest and Indian Trail community-coordinated reroofs
- Skylight install or replacement on Contemporary great rooms
Bear's Nest and Indian Trail gated communities require HOA architectural review for exterior changes. We pre-package the architectural review submission as part of our bid. Borough-wide permits clear in 7–10 business days for non-HOA properties.
Franklin Lakes' western location at the foot of the Ramapo Mountains means slightly heavier snow accumulation than coastal Bergen (typical winter snow loads run 18–22 psf vs. 14–18 for inner-Bergen), and the dense oak/beech canopy along High Mountain Road and Pulis Avenue creates fall debris loading among the highest in north Bergen. Cedar roof maintenance (annual moss/algae treatment, valley clearing twice each fall) is genuinely preventive here, not cosmetic.
- Address
- Franklin Lakes Borough Hall, 480 De Korte Drive
- Phone
- (201) 891-0048
- Typical roof-permit turnaround
- 7–10 business days; HOA architectural review adds 2–4 weeks for Bear's Nest / Indian Trail properties
We pull the permit directly under NJHIC #13VH13970900 — homeowner does not file or pay the township separately.
Neighborhoods we serve in Franklin Lakes
ZIP codes: 07417
Services
Franklin Lakes Roofing FAQ
How do you handle Bear's Nest HOA architectural-review requirements?
We pre-package the architectural-review submission free as part of our bid. Standard packet: material spec (manufacturer, shingle line, color), elevation mockup showing the proposed installation, project timeline, contractor credentials (NJHIC + insurance + GAF certification), and any required color samples. Bear's Nest review board meets monthly; we typically time the submission to land 2 weeks before a scheduled meeting so you don't lose a cycle. Most in-kind replacements (matching existing material/color) clear at the first review.
I have a 1985 Colonial with original cedar shake — restore or convert to synthetic?
Depends on remaining cedar quality and ventilation underneath. If 70%+ of the cedar is intact, structure is sound, and the original 1985 underlayment can be retained, restoration with sourced-match Certi-grade R&R cedar runs $42,000–$68,000 for a typical 25-square Colonial. If less than 60% intact or the underlayment is failing, conversion to DaVinci synthetic cedar shake runs $28,000–$45,000 with a 50-year warranty and zero maintenance. Both are defensible — we'll show you the math on both at the estimate.
Do you handle ice-and-water shield retrofits on older Franklin Lakes homes?
Yes — pre-2000 Franklin Lakes homes often have insufficient ice-and-water shield (12" past the wall line was the older standard; NJ R905.1.2 now requires 24" past the wall in our climate zone). Retrofit during a full reroof is the right time to upgrade; we extend ice-and-water coverage to 36" past the wall line on every Franklin Lakes install as standard (better than code minimum). Adds about $400–$700 to a typical 22-square reroof.