Permit
Ask Robeson first
Under 34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b)(8), alterations to a house that make no structural change are outside the state code. So the township code office in Robeson is the one to ask before work starts.
Source: 34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b)
Roof Replacement in Robeson, PA
Robeson has 3,049 homes, and half of them were standing by 1981. The rules below decide how much of the old roof has to come off and what goes under the new one.
New Roofing Costs connects homeowners with independent local roofing contractors. We do not perform roofing work.
Call (833) 781-1806 Replacement and new roofs only · homeowners
This number connects homeowners who are planning a new roof or a full roof replacement with independent local roofing contractors. It is not for leak repairs or patch jobs. The call must come from the homeowner who decides on the roof. Calls may be recorded.
The rules for a reroof in Robeson
Layers
One old layer can stay; two cannot
On a roof that already carries two layers, or slate or tile, the code allows no recover: it is a tear-off (IRC R908.3.1.1). 48% of Robeson’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
Ice barrier
Robeson’s climate table decides
IRC R905.1.2 calls for an ice barrier where Table R301.2 says so; in Pennsylvania the municipality completes that table. Ask the township code office or the contractor what Robeson’s says.
Rules as read on October 24, 2026. Code edition, permit and contract rules for the whole state: roof replacement in Pennsylvania.
Homes and roofs in Robeson
Owners live in 2,585 of Robeson’s occupied homes, or 88%. By year built, 17% before 1940, 25% before 1960, 48% before 1980; 22% went up in 2000 or later. (ACS 2020–2024.)
By building type: 91% detached houses.
Of the 67 Berks County municipalities on this site, Robeson has the 49th largest share of homes built before 1980: 48%, against a county range of 18% to 97%.
ZIP codes: 19508 · 19523
Robeson and the towns around it
| Place | Median built | Before 1980 | Owners | Row, twin | Hail days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robeson | 1981 | 48% | 88% | 2% | 16 |
| Birdsboro | 1965 | 68% | 68% | 37% | 19 |
| Cumru | 1977 | 58% | 71% | 15% | 19 |
| Brecknock Township, Berks County | 1983 | 44% | 88% | 2% | 18 |
| Caernarvon Township, Berks County | 2000 | 29% | 84% | 22% | 7 |
| Union Township, Berks County | 1978 | 53% | 87% | 3% | 16 |
Median built: median year the homes were built. Before 1980: share of homes built then. Owners: share of homes that are owner-occupied. Row, twin: share of homes that are rowhouses, twins or townhouses. Census ACS 2020–2024. Hail days: days with hail of 1 inch or larger within 10 miles, 2006–2025, NOAA Storm Prediction Center.
Storm record around Robeson
NOAA’s storm reports show 16 days since 2006 with hail of at least 1 inch inside a 10-mile circle around Robeson, topping out at 2.5 in on May 22, 2014. The most recent was July 8, 2025.
Federal major-disaster declarations for storms in Berks County since 2006: 2, most recently DR-4267, Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, declared March 2016. (OpenFEMA.)
A report says hail fell near Robeson, not that it damaged a roof. When wind or hail damage means a new roof.
What goes on the roof next
HUD’s useful-life figures are for planning; a warranty is a separate promise. For Robeson’s houses: More in the guides to shingles, metal, slate and flat roofs.
| Material | HUD useful life | Fits a house like | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | 20 years | Most pitched roofs; 91% of homes here are detached | Wind class set by the design wind speed (IRC Table R905.2.4.1) |
| Metal (standing seam, panels) | 50 years | Low pitches and long runs | Standing seam that carries its own loads can skip the tear-off (R908.3.1) |
| Slate | 75 years | Older houses; 17% here predate 1940 | Can’t be roofed over; check the framing for the weight |
| Flat roof: EPDM or TPO | 15 years | Porches, additions, low-slope rears | Seams at walls and drainage |
Checking a contractor in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s home improvement law (HICPA § 3, § 6) requires registration with the Attorney General from $5,000 a year of such work and puts the number on every estimate; ask for it in Robeson and look it up.
The price side is in what a new roof costs in Pennsylvania; the paperwork side in checking a roofing contractor.
Questions about a new roof in Robeson
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Robeson?
Ask Robeson first. Under 34 Pa. Code § 403.1(b)(8), alterations to a house that make no structural change are outside the state code. So the township code office in Robeson is the one to ask before work starts.
Can a new roof go over the old one in Robeson?
On a roof that already carries two layers, or slate or tile, the code allows no recover: it is a tear-off (IRC R908.3.1.1). 48% of Robeson’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
How old are the houses in Robeson?
By the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024), the median home in Robeson was built in 1981, 48% of homes were built before 1980, 88% are owner-occupied.
Does Robeson get hail that damages roofs?
Hail of 1 inch or larger was reported on 16 days within 10 miles of Robeson from 2006 through 2025 (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). A report means hail fell nearby, not that a roof was damaged.
How do I check a roofing contractor in Robeson?
Pennsylvania’s home improvement law (HICPA § 3, § 6) requires registration with the Attorney General from $5,000 a year of such work and puts the number on every estimate; ask for it in Robeson and look it up.
What they will ask on the phone
- Where the house is: the Robeson address or ZIP
- How many stories the house has, and whether it is detached or attached
- The roof you have today, shingle, metal, slate, tile or flat, and its rough age
- Whether there is one layer or more, if you know
- That you want a new roof or a full replacement, and when you want the work done
- Any historic-district or HOA rules on the house in Robeson
- That the house is yours and the decision is yours
The full list: before you call.