Our work in Ellington
3 completed roofs in Ellington to date, counted from our own records. Ellington sits 62 miles from our Bethel base.
The town runs to 34.0 square miles, in Tolland County.
Neighbourhoods and villages here include Crystal Lake and Windermere. What is on the roofs differs across them, and so does what should go back on.
Design criteria for a Ellington roof
The state assigns Ellington an ultimate design wind speed of 120 mph — 93 mph nominal — in Appendix AY of the 2022 Connecticut building code. That places Ellington mid-range for the state, with 147 municipalities at or above it. The town is inside the code's hurricane-prone region, which is what triggers the sealed roof deck requirement on a full tear-off.
Ground snow load in Ellington is 35 psf. Above the state baseline, which matters most where snow collects — valleys, dormer sides, and anywhere a roof steps down.
Connecticut amendments that apply here
The state changes the model code in two places worth knowing about. R905.1.2 requires ice barrier everywhere in Connecticut, extending at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line as measured up the slope. And R905.1.1, the sealed roof deck amendment, does not apply over narrow lumber sheathing — under 3 inches nominal — which is exactly what many pre-1950 houses in this state have.
The six-nail question comes up constantly. Code minimum in Connecticut is four nails per shingle. Manufacturers require six to honor their wind warranty. We install six. Both facts are true at the same time, and anyone presenting six as a code requirement has it wrong.
Permits and inspections in Ellington
Ellington issues roofing permits through its building department. The building official on record is Raymond Martin III. The office is staffed full-time, so inspections here are generally straightforward to schedule. The published number is 860-870-3124. Written questions go to buildingofficial@ellington-ct.gov. We pull the permit ourselves. If a roofer asks you to pull it in your own name, that is a reason to stop and ask why.
A roof replacement permit in Connecticut is generally issued over the counter or online once the scope is submitted, with an inspection at completion. Where a house sits in a local historic district, or where zoning or health review applies, that approval comes first and can add real time. If your property is affected, we will tell you before the contract is signed rather than after the dumpster arrives.
How Ellington compares with the towns around it
Ellington shares its design wind figure with all 8 of its neighbours, so specifications carry across these town lines cleanly. The permit process does not — each town runs its own.
| Bordering town | Design wind | vs. Ellington | Ground snow | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Windsor | 120 mph | same | 30 psf | Hartford |
| Enfield | 120 mph | same | 35 psf | Hartford |
| Somers | 120 mph | same | 35 psf | Tolland |
| South Windsor | 120 mph | same | 30 psf | Hartford |
| Stafford | 120 mph | same | 35 psf | Tolland |
| Tolland | 120 mph | same | 35 psf | Tolland |
| Vernon | 120 mph | same | 30 psf | Tolland |
| Willington | 120 mph | same | 35 psf | Tolland |
Get a straight answer on your roof
Free inspection, a written scope, and a 25-year workmanship warranty.
Common questions about roofing in Ellington
What wind speed does a roof in Ellington have to be designed for?
The 2022 Connecticut State Building Code assigns Ellington an ultimate design wind speed of 120 mph. That figure sets the fastener schedule and the manufacturer wind rating we specify.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Ellington?
Yes. A roof replacement in Ellington requires a building permit, and we pull it as part of the job. The building department's published number is 860-870-3124 if you want to confirm anything independently.
Who is the building official in Ellington?
Raymond Martin III is the building official on record for Ellington, per the State of Connecticut list of municipal building officials. Staffing changes — confirm with the town before relying on it.
Is ice barrier required on a Ellington roof?
Yes — Connecticut requires it statewide under code section R905.1.2, running from the lowest roof edge to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. With a 35 psf ground snow load in Ellington, that detail is doing real work.
How many nails per shingle should be used in Ellington?
Connecticut's code minimum is four. Shingle manufacturers require six to keep their wind warranty in force, and six is what we install. Six nails is a manufacturer requirement, not a code requirement.
Have you worked in Ellington before?
Yes. Our records show 3 completed roofs in Ellington. That count comes from our own job history.
Design criteria are taken from Appendix AY of the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code. Building department details come from the State of Connecticut list of municipal building officials, updated 04-06-2026. Municipal staffing and personnel change — confirm current details with the town. Stallion Ridge Exteriors is a service-area business based in Bethel, Connecticut.