Our work in Groton
We have completed one roof in Groton. One job, not a portfolio — we would rather say so than dress it up. The town is 71 miles from our base in Bethel.
Groton is a 31.1-square-mile municipality in New London County. It is one of Connecticut's 24 shoreline municipalities. Salt air is hard on fasteners and on the metal at valleys, drip edge and flashing, which is why we specify stainless or heavier coatings nearer the water than we would inland.
Neighbourhoods and villages here include Burnetts Corner, Center Groton, Conning Towers-Nautilus Park, Groton Long Point, Long Hill, Midway, Nautilus Park, Noank, Old Mystic, Pequot Village, Pleasant Valley and Poquonock Bridge among others. What is on the roofs differs across them, and so does what should go back on.
Design criteria for a Groton roof
Appendix AY of the 2022 Connecticut State Building Code puts Groton at an ultimate design wind speed of 128 mph, a nominal design wind speed of 99 mph. That puts Groton in the top handful statewide — just 1 municipalities carry an equal or higher rating. Because the town sits inside the hurricane-prone region, a tear-off triggers the sealed roof deck rule.
Snow loading here is 30 psf at grade. Baseline loading for the state, which puts the emphasis on eave detailing rather than on structure.
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 Groton
Groton issues roofing permits through its building department. That office is headed by Timothy Brennan. The office is staffed full-time, so inspections here are generally straightforward to schedule. The published number is 860-446-5982. Written questions go to tbrennan@groton-ct.gov. We pull the permit as part of the job. No homeowner should be asked to pull their own roofing permit by a contractor working on their house.
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 Groton compares with the towns around it
Of the 4 towns Groton borders, 1 are rated for stronger wind, 3 for less, and 0 match. Design criteria change at town lines in Connecticut, and so does the building department.
| Bordering town | Design wind | vs. Groton | Ground snow | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledyard | 126 mph | -2 | 30 psf | New London |
| New London | 127 mph | -1 | 30 psf | New London |
| Stonington | 129 mph | +1 | 30 psf | New London |
| Waterford | 127 mph | -1 | 30 psf | New London |
Get a straight answer on your roof
Free inspection, a written scope, and a 25-year workmanship warranty.
Common questions about roofing in Groton
What wind speed does a roof in Groton have to be designed for?
The 2022 Connecticut State Building Code assigns Groton an ultimate design wind speed of 128 mph. The residential and commercial code tables disagree for this town, so we confirm the governing figure with the building department in writing before material is ordered.
Who is the building official in Groton?
Timothy Brennan is the building official on record for Groton, per the State of Connecticut list of municipal building officials. Staffing changes — confirm with the town before relying on it.
How many nails per shingle should be used in Groton?
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.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Groton?
Yes. A roof replacement in Groton requires a building permit, and we pull it as part of the job. The building department's published number is 860-446-5982 if you want to confirm anything independently.
Is ice barrier required on a Groton 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 30 psf ground snow load in Groton, that detail is doing real work.
Have you worked in Groton before?
Yes. Our records show 1 completed roof in Groton. 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.