Jersey City, NJ
NJ Roofing · Roof Replacement & Repair
Jersey City roofing is dominated by two property types: pre-1920 rowhouses (Hamilton Park, Paulus Hook, Van Vorst, Heights) with low-slope roofs, and the wave of 1990s-2020s mid-rise residential along the Hudson waterfront. Both have rooftop access challenges that drive scheduling and equipment selection.
Most of our JC residential work is modified-bitumen or EPDM replacement on the rowhouses — these are 800-1500 sq ft flat roofs that the homeowner thinks they have to live with. We can also re-coat them with silicone or convert to TPO for a 20-year service life upgrade. Commercial side runs mid-rise and high-rise that require certified-rigger schedule + crane access.
What We Work On in Jersey City
Hamilton Park / Paulus Hook / Van Vorst: 1850s-1900s brick rowhouses with low-slope (1/4:12) tar-and-gravel or modified-bitumen roofs. Heights: 1880s-1920s wood-frame three-deckers with steep architectural-shingle. Downtown / Newport / Exchange Place: 1990s-2020s mid-rise and high-rise residential with mixed flat-roof systems. Journal Square: 1920s-1960s mid-rise commercial.
Common Jersey City Jobs
- Brownstone modified-bitumen replacement (full tear-off)
- Silicone coating to extend life of sound EPDM
- EPDM-to-TPO conversion on apartment complexes
- High-rise mid-rise commercial single-ply replacement
- Coordinated crane-access scheduling for high-density installs
- Storm-damage response (wind off the Hudson)
Most JC residential rowhouse work requires permit from the JC Construction Code Office (Hub at 1 Journal Square). Permits take 7-14 days. Historic Preservation Commission review for visible exterior changes in Van Vorst, Paulus Hook, and Hamilton Park districts.
Jersey City takes the brunt of Hudson-channel wind in nor'easters — waterfront mid-rise membranes fail at perimeter fastening more than any other JC roof type, and brownstone parapets in Hamilton Park and Van Vorst leak at the cap-stone joints during driving rain. Salt-air corrosion is real on the waterfront (Newport, Exchange Place, Newport Tower): standard galvanized flashings show pinhole rust at 8 years; we spec stainless or copper on every waterfront install. Summer humidity also accelerates rooftop-deck moss on north-facing brownstone roofs in the Heights.
- Address
- Jersey City Construction Code Office, 1 Journal Square Plaza, 3rd floor
- Phone
- (201) 547-5000
- Typical roof-permit turnaround
- 7–14 business days; 21–35 days with HPC review (Van Vorst, Paulus Hook, Hamilton Park)
We pull the permit directly under NJHIC #13VH13970900 — homeowner does not file or pay the township separately.
Neighborhoods we serve in Jersey City
ZIP codes: 07302, 07303, 07304, 07305, 07306, 07307, 07310, 07311
Services
Jersey City Roofing FAQ
My Hamilton Park brownstone has a 30-year-old tar-and-gravel roof — what are my options?
Three paths. (1) Recoat with silicone if the existing membrane is sound but aging — adds 8–12 years for $6–10/sq ft. (2) Tear off and install new modified-bitumen — historically correct, $14–18/sq ft installed. (3) Tear off and install 60-mil EPDM or 80-mil TPO — longest service life (25+ years), $16–22/sq ft. We bid all three so you can compare. HPC review only matters if the existing surface is visible from the street — which it isn't on most Hamilton Park rowhouses.
Can you do rooftop deck waterproofing in Paulus Hook?
Yes — rooftop deck waterproofing is a JC-specific service we run regularly. Standard scope: tear off existing membrane, install 80-mil TPO or EPDM as the primary waterproofing layer, pedestal-mount a separate deck-board system above so the membrane is fully protected and accessible for future repair. Pedestal decks add $25–40/sq ft on top of base waterproofing cost but they're the only way to do a deck that won't trap a leak underneath.
What HPC restrictions apply to Van Vorst Park brownstones?
Van Vorst HPC reviews visible exterior changes including front-facing roof material, cornice, dormer, and skylight changes. Standard roof replacements that are below the parapet (not visible from the street) generally don't require HPC review — we confirm in writing with the city before every job. If the front cornice or dormer is involved, expect 21–35 days for HPC sign-off.
Do you carry the additional insured for our condo board?
Yes — we add the condo association, management company, and any lender as additional insured on our $2M GL policy on request. COI is issued within 24 hours of award. We also carry full NJ WC, automobile liability, and an umbrella policy for the higher-limit asks that some JC waterfront high-rise boards require.