Our work in Preston
We have not completed a job in Preston itself. We would rather say that plainly than imply otherwise. The town is 73 miles from our base in Bethel and well inside our normal working radius.
Preston is a 30.8-square-mile municipality in New London County.
Neighbourhoods and villages here include Hallville, Happyland, Poquetanuck, Preston City and Shewville. What is on the roofs differs across them, and so does what should go back on.
Design criteria for a Preston roof
The state assigns Preston an ultimate design wind speed of 125 mph — 97 mph nominal — in Appendix AY of the 2022 Connecticut building code. That places Preston mid-range for the state, with 51 municipalities at or above it. It also falls within the hurricane-prone region, so a full tear-off here brings the sealed roof deck requirement with it.
Snow loading here is 30 psf at grade. The state's floor figure. Ice at the eaves does more damage in towns like this one than weight ever does.
Connecticut amendments that apply here
Connecticut amends the international code on two points that touch nearly every roof we do. Ice barrier is required statewide under R905.1.2, running from the lowest roof edge to at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line — measured along the slope, so a low-pitch roof needs more membrane than people expect. The sealed roof deck amendment, R905.1.1, carries an exception: it does not apply over lumber sheathing under 3 inches nominal width, which is what sits under the shingles on a great many pre-1950 Connecticut houses.
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 Preston
Permits for roof work in Preston go through the town building department. Doug Colter is listed as the building official. The office is staffed full-time, so inspections here are generally straightforward to schedule. The published number is 860-887-5581. Written questions go to dcolter@seccog.org. 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 Preston compares with the towns around it
Every town Preston borders is rated for equal or stronger wind. Crossing the town line here means a heavier fastening schedule, not a lighter one.
| Bordering town | Design wind | vs. Preston | Ground snow | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Griswold | 125 mph | same | 30 psf | New London |
| Ledyard | 126 mph | +1 | 30 psf | New London |
| Lisbon | 125 mph | same | 30 psf | New London |
| Montville | 125 mph | same | 30 psf | New London |
| North Stonington | 127 mph | +2 | 30 psf | New London |
| Norwich | 125 mph | same | 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 Preston
What wind speed does a roof in Preston have to be designed for?
The 2022 Connecticut State Building Code assigns Preston an ultimate design wind speed of 125 mph. That figure sets the fastener schedule and the manufacturer wind rating we specify.
How many nails per shingle should be used in Preston?
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 Preston?
Yes. A roof replacement in Preston requires a building permit, and we pull it as part of the job. The building department's published number is 860-887-5581 if you want to confirm anything independently.
Who is the building official in Preston?
Doug Colter is the building official on record for Preston, 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 Preston 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 Preston, that detail is doing real work.
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.