Glen Ridge, New Jersey
Roofing in Glen Ridge, NJ: Eight in Ten Homes Date to 1939 or Earlier
Glen Ridge is a small borough, a little over a square mile, and most of it sits inside a local historic district. That shapes roof work: material changes go to a commission before work starts. A roof replacement plan starts with that review. Dial (973) 358-8198 and describe the roof and the street.
The houses
In the Census Bureau's 2024 five-year file, an estimated 2,083 of Glen Ridge's 2,569 housing units (give or take 189 on that count) were built in 1939 or earlier, about 81 percent. Only 55 homes date to the 1940s. The median year built is reported as 1938 and flagged as 1939 or earlier. With so few postwar houses, nearly every roof here sits on prewar framing, and slate, copper and built-in gutters turn up more than they do in newer towns.
2,569homes inside about a square mile
Census Bureau estimates for Glen Ridge borough, 2024 five-year file: 2,569 housing units, give or take 157, on 1.3 square miles. By decade built: 2,083 in 1939 or earlier, 55 in the 1940s, 72 in the 1950s, 53 in the 1960s, 94 in the 1970s, 83 in the 1980s and 129 since 1990.
Of 2,490 occupied homes, 2,268 are owner-occupied and 222 are rented, about 9 percent, give or take 4 points. The commission's page says the historic district covers over 80 percent of the borough, which matches the housing numbers: most of the town is old houses, and they are close together.
Township office
Borough Hall is at 825 Bloomfield Avenue, main number 973-748-8400. The borough directory lists the Construction Official at extension 232 and the Building Department at extension 233, with no hours posted. The Historic Preservation Commission's page gives 973-748-8444 for the Building Department.
The commission's page says exterior changes visible from any street need its approval before a building permit is issued. It reviews new roofing when the material differs from what is there now. Matching material and color are not reviewed. Applicants appear in person at monthly meetings, usually the first Wednesday, and the commission asks for a sample of the new roofing. The consultant's line is 973-748-8400, extension 238.
Roof covering on a one- or two-family house that stands alone is on the state's ordinary-maintenance list; the borough's guidelines advise confirming with the Building Department first.
Short answers
- Is a new roof in Glen Ridge reviewed by the commission?
When the new material differs from the old one, yes. The Historic Preservation Commission's page lists new roofing in a different material as reviewable, and says a matching material or color is not. The 2021 design guidelines accept asphalt shingles to replace non-historic roofing, in dark gray, brown or black.
- What does the commission ask an applicant to bring?
A sample of the new roofing, per the application form, along with product sheets. The owner or an agent has to be present at the meeting, and the commission meets monthly, usually on the first Wednesday at Borough Hall. Ask the Construction Official's office for the next date.
- Who makes the call from Glen Ridge?
Owners and landlords can dial (973) 358-8198 and describe the roof. A tenant's first step is a note to the owner with the date, the room and a photo. Slate, copper or built-in gutters are worth naming up front, since they change who is sent.
Other towns on the line
Sources U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25034, housing units by year built (Glen Ridge borough) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25035, median year structure built (Glen Ridge borough) U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, Table B25003, tenure (Glen Ridge borough) U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer, New Jersey county subdivisions Borough of Glen Ridge, Municipal directory Borough of Glen Ridge, Historic Preservation Commission Borough of Glen Ridge, Historic Preservation Commission application (Feb 2023) Borough of Glen Ridge Historic Preservation Commission, Historic Design Guidelines (2021), roof section NJ Department of Community Affairs, Significant changes to minor work and ordinary maintenance (5 Mar 2018) Sustainable Jersey for Schools, School Districts 100% Served by PSE&G
Dial from Glen Ridge.
Before you call (973) 358-8198, find the street address, note which room shows water and jot down roughly how old the roof is. Tenants: the owner arranges roof work, so the landlord hears about it first. Towns: Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, West Orange, Cedar Grove, Clifton, Little Falls.