Half of the 9,510 homes in Bristol were built before 1964. 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.
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.
Permit
Rhode Island’s list of permit-exempt work names replacement window sashes but not roofing (SBC-2, R105.2). So Bristol’s building official issues a permit for the replacement.
Source: RI SBC-2, One and Two Family Dwellings (510-RICR-00-00-2)
Layers
A new roof may go over one existing layer; with two or more, or over slate, clay or cement tile, everything comes off to the deck (IRC R908.3.1.1). 68% of Bristol’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
Source: RI SBC-2, One and Two Family Dwellings (510-RICR-00-00-2); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes)
Ice barrier
Rhode Island answers “yes” to the ice barrier for every town. It runs from the eave to 24 inches inside the exterior wall, more on steep roofs (IRC R905.1.2); check that the quote lists it.
Source: RI SBC-2, One and Two Family Dwellings (510-RICR-00-00-2); IRC 2021, Chapter 9 (Pennsylvania edition, UpCodes)
Checked against the code text on October 24, 2026. Code edition, permit and contract rules for the whole state: roof replacement in Rhode Island.
Owners live in 5,775 of Bristol’s occupied homes, or 66%. Counting by decade, 28% before 1940, 46% before 1960, 68% before 1980 of the housing was in place, and 12% dates from 2000 on. (ACS 2020–2024.)
The housing is 58% detached houses, 4% attached single-family houses (rowhouses, twins and townhouses), 22% buildings of two to four units.
Of the 3 Bristol County municipalities on this site, Bristol has the smallest share of homes built before 1980: 68%, against a county range of 68% to 84%.
ZIP codes: 02809
| Place | Median built | Before 1980 | Owners | Row, twin | Hail days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | 1964 | 68% | 66% | 4% | 8 |
| Warren | 1950 | 80% | 61% | 5% | 8 |
| Barrington | 1956 | 84% | 89% | 0% | 11 |
| Portsmouth | 1973 | 62% | 81% | 8% | 4 |
| Tiverton | 1972 | 59% | 81% | 6% | 4 |
| Warwick | 1961 | 77% | 73% | 4% | 9 |
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.
Since 2006 the National Weather Service has logged hail of 1 inch or larger on 8 separate days within 10 miles of Bristol; the largest was 1.25 in on June 30, 2019. The most recent was August 26, 2024.
At the county level, Bristol shares Bristol County’s record of 6 storm disaster declarations since 2006, the newest DR-4653 (Severe Winter Storm and Snowstorm, May 2022). (OpenFEMA.)
Storm reports are what observers logged, not a measure of damage to any roof. When wind or hail damage means a new roof.
Lifespans come from HUD’s capital-needs table, not from a brochure. 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; 58% 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 | Roofs that will carry solar later | A complete standing-seam system may go over the old roof (R908.3.1) |
| Slate | 75 years | Older houses; 28% here predate 1940 | Can’t be roofed over; check the framing for the weight |
| Flat roof: EPDM or TPO | 15 years | Additions and porch roofs | Seams at walls and drainage |
For a reroof in Bristol, ask for the contractor’s Rhode Island registration with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (ch. 5-65) and look it up; the state has no separate license for residential roofing.
Contracts, deposits and the right to cancel: checking a roofing contractor. What moves the price: new roof cost in Rhode Island.
A permit from Bristol. Rhode Island’s list of permit-exempt work names replacement window sashes but not roofing (SBC-2, R105.2). So Bristol’s building official issues a permit for the replacement.
A new roof may go over one existing layer; with two or more, or over slate, clay or cement tile, everything comes off to the deck (IRC R908.3.1.1). 68% of Bristol’s homes were built before 1980, so count the layers before comparing quotes.
By the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2020–2024), the median home in Bristol was built in 1964, 68% of homes were built before 1980, 66% are owner-occupied.
Hail of 1 inch or larger was reported on 8 days within 10 miles of Bristol from 2006 through 2025 (NOAA Storm Prediction Center). A report means hail fell nearby, not that a roof was damaged.
For a reroof in Bristol, ask for the contractor’s Rhode Island registration with the Contractors’ Registration and Licensing Board (ch. 5-65) and look it up; the state has no separate license for residential roofing.
The full list: before you call.
Checked October 24, 2026. Laws and code editions change; the date says when these were last read at the source.