Katonah, first called Whitlockville, moved south in 1897 when the original village was flooded for the Muscoot Reservoir, part of the New Croton Dam project. More than 50 buildings were rolled on logs, pulled by horses, to New Katonah, whose street plan was laid out by the Olmsted Brothers. The hamlet had about 1,600 residents in 2020, and the moved buildings and Olmsted streets still define its center.
Katonah sits around 235 feet up, between the Muscoot and Cross River reservoirs, in wooded northern Westchester. It is home to the Katonah Museum of Art and Caramoor, with the John Jay Homestead nearby. For a roofer, the defining feature is the historic core, with its steep, decorative Victorian roofs. Those roofs need more flashing work, more care with materials and, inside the district, review before the work begins.
Queen Anne roofs on Olmsted streets
The Katonah Village Historic District, listed in 1983, has 38 contributing buildings in Queen Anne and Late Victorian styles, built between 1895 and 1928. Expect turrets, wraparound porch roofs, steep gables and multiple dormers.
Some of the oldest buildings were part of the 1897 move, and houses from that era generally have board sheathing and framing that should be checked closely once the old roof comes off. Around the center, newer homes sit on larger wooded lots near the reservoirs.
What to plan for on a Katonah roof
Flashing on turrets and dormers
Queen Anne roofs have conical turrets, porch roofs tying into walls and dormers on several planes. Each joint needs its own flashing. Jersey Roofing's crew replaces step flashing at walls, rebuilds dormer and porch-roof transitions, and uses metal or copper valleys. On turrets, the crew cuts and fits shingles by hand, or we recommend metal where the curve is too tight for shingles to lie flat.
Century-old decking
Katonah homes from 1895 to 1928 usually have board decking, and gaps or rot often show up only after tear-off. We plan for board replacement, and where needed Jersey Roofing's crew adds a layer of plywood over sound boards to create a flat nailing base. That base is what lets a new shingle system qualify for full manufacturer warranty coverage.
Shade and snow by the reservoirs
Wooded lots near the Muscoot and Cross River reservoirs keep roofs shaded and damp, and snow lingers. Jersey Roofing's crew installs code-required ice barrier at the eaves and in valleys, balanced soffit and ridge ventilation, and algae-resistant shingles. Steep Victorian pitches shed snow fast, so we also consider snow guards above porches and entries.
Historic districts and design review
Katonah has its own local historic-district review under the Town of Bedford, in addition to its National Register listing. Contact the review board before choosing roof material or color. Slate-look designer shingles such as GAF Camelot II or Slateline are a common way to keep a Victorian's appearance at less weight and cost than slate. We supply samples and specifications for the application.
Roof permits in Katonah
- Office
- Town of Bedford Building Department
- Phone
- (914) 666-8040
Katonah is a hamlet of the Town of Bedford, so permits go to the Town Building Department at 425 Cherry Street in Bedford Hills; Jersey Roofing files for you.
The roof systems installed in Katonah
Jersey Roofing installs complete GAF and Owens Corning systems: ice and water barrier at the eaves and valleys, synthetic underlayment, starter strips, architectural or designer shingles, matched ridge cap and balanced ventilation. On a qualifying GAF system it can register the Golden Pledge® warranty, and on an Owens Corning system, Platinum Protection. Both include lifetime workmanship coverage. Compare the warranties.
Neighborhoods we serve in and around Katonah
- Katonah Village Historic District
- Bedford Road
- Jay Street