Somers is a town of about 21,500 people (2020 Census), known as the cradle of the American circus. In the early 1800s Hachaliah Bailey toured with an elephant named Old Bet, and the Elephant Hotel built in her honor now serves as Town Hall and is a National Historic Landmark. The town includes the Amawalk Reservoir and part of New York City's reservoir system.
Because Somers is spread out, many residents have mailing addresses from neighboring post offices: Mahopac for Lincolndale, plus Goldens Bridge, Baldwin Place and Katonah. The terrain is rolling and wooded, about 380 feet up, with the Amawalk and Muscoot reservoirs and several lakes. Inland and northern, it gets a full share of Westchester snow. Whatever your mailing address says, the roof permit comes from the Town of Somers.
Heritage Hills, lake communities and the old hamlet
Housing in Somers falls into a few groups. Heritage Hills is a large planned community of condos and townhomes. Lake Lincolndale, Lake Shenorock and Lake Purdys have their own lake communities. The Somers Hamlet Historic District holds the town's older core around the Elephant Hotel, and rural homes and colonial-era houses are spread across Granite Springs and the countryside.
Each group has its own roofing rules and risks, so we start every Somers inspection by asking where and what your home is.
What to plan for on a Somers roof
Heritage Hills and association roofs
In Heritage Hills and other attached communities, roofs are usually replaced building by building with a set shingle and color chosen by the association. We work from the association's specifications, and Jersey Roofing's crew coordinates access with neighbors and keeps ridge lines and color consistent across the building. If you're on a board, we can inspect several buildings and give you comparable written reports.
Lake and reservoir humidity
Homes around Lake Lincolndale, Lake Shenorock and the reservoirs sit in damp air under heavy tree cover, and smaller lake houses may have shallow additions. We check every roof plane's pitch, since shingles need at least 2:12 and double underlayment up to 4:12, and recommend algae-resistant shingles plus a balanced vent system to keep attics dry.
Long winters on rolling ground
Somers sits inland at about 380 feet, and open hillsides and long driveways mean snow stays on roofs and wind crosses the fields. Jersey Roofing's crew installs code-required ice barrier at the eaves, extends it through valleys, and uses enhanced-wind fastening on exposed sites. On rural lots, they plan dumpster placement and delivery around the driveway and septic areas.
Historic districts and design review
The Somers Hamlet Historic District is listed on the National Register, and the Elephant Hotel, Amawalk Friends Meeting House and Gerard Crane House are listed individually. If your home is in or near the hamlet district, check with the Town before changing roof material or color. A slate-look designer shingle such as GAF Slateline or Camelot II, or the wood-shake look of GAF Grand Sequoia, can keep an older house looking right.
Roof permits in Somers
- Office
- Town of Somers Building Department
- Phone
- (914) 277-3539
- Website
- somersny.gov/departments/building
All Somers hamlets, including Lincolndale, Granite Springs, Shenorock and Heritage Hills, permit through the Town at 335 Route 202, whatever your mailing ZIP; Jersey Roofing files for you.
The roof systems installed in Somers
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 Somers
- Somers hamlet
- Heritage Hills
- Lincolndale
- Lake Lincolndale
- Granite Springs
- Baldwin Place
- Lake Shenorock
- Lake Purdys