How Much Does a Roof Replacement Cost in Allentown, PA? (2025 Guide)

If you’re pricing a new roof in Allentown, you’ll find a lot of nationwide numbers online. They’re useful—but they don’t reflect Lehigh Valley realities like older housing stock, steep Victorian and Cape pitches, chimneys galore, and winters that demand ice-and-water protection. Here’s a clear, local guide so you can budget confidently for fall.

Quick Allentown snapshot (Fall 2025)

Homeowners around Allentown are commonly seeing asphalt tear-off & replace pricing in the ~$1,100–$1,600+ per square range, with simpler roofs landing toward the lower end and complex, steep, or feature-heavy roofs trending higher.

Why the spread? Allentown’s mix of older housing stock, brick chimneys, skylights, and the need for winter-ready underlayments/ventilation means scope—and therefore per-square rate—varies more than national averages suggest.

Red Patch Roofing’s typical range

For straightforward residential asphalt tear-off & replacement, Red Patch Roofing is usually between $675–$875 per square (materials-dependent and scope-based).This rate is designed for a standard install and can change with complexity (steep pitch, multiple layers, extensive flashing/skylights, decking repairs, tight access, etc.).

What our per-square typically includes for a standard scope

• Tear-off & disposal of existing shingles (one layer)

• Ice & water shield at eaves/valleys + synthetic underlayment elsewhere

• Starter, field, and ridge shingles (architectural asphalt)

• New pipe boots and standard step flashing where specified

• Balanced ventilation (ridge vent + soffit intake as needed)

• Site protection & cleanup (magnet sweep, debris haul-away)

• Permit handling (we pull permits and coordinate required inspections)

What actually drives your price in Allentown

1. Roof size & complexity Measured in “squares” (100 sq ft). Two-story colonials in the West End or deep L-shapes in South Whitehall can add squares fast. Steeper pitches and multiple planes/dormers increase labor and safety setup—pushing costs toward the top of the range. National data consistently lists size, pitch, and stories as primary cost drivers.

2. Tear-off and disposal Removing one (or two) layers, plus hauling shingles/underlayment, is a line item. Homes in Old Allentown or the East Side often have multiple layers or brittle sheathing—both add time and dump fees (usually bundled into a single “tear-off” price on your quote). National guides flag disposal/permits as additional budget items many homeowners forget.

3. Decking & carpentry Soft or delaminated plywood, rotted edges at eaves, or sag under old leaks need repair. Expect a per-sheet price if replacement is required.

4. Flashing & penetrations Allentown’s brick chimneys are frequent leak sources. Proper step/counter-flashing, chimney crickets, skylight re-flashing, and new pipe boots add material and labor—but are critical for a dry roof here.

5. Underlayments for our winters Ice-and-water shield at eaves/valleys and synthetic felt elsewhere protect against freeze-thaw cycles and ice dams, common across the Lehigh Valley. Premium membranes increase cost but save headaches.

6. Material selection

7. Architectural asphalt (most common)

8. Metal/slate: longer life, higher upfront; 2024–25 cost-vs-value shows metal is significantly more expensive, with mixed resale recoup. (We typically install architectural asphalt from major brands to balance value, curb appeal, and warranty support.)

9. Permitting The City indicates roofing work requires a permit; your contractor should handle it. allentownpa.gov+1

   

A practical budgeting cheat sheet (asphalt, tear-off, installed)

These are planning bands for typical Allentown homes, reflecting the 15–25% local uplift many owners experience over generic national numbers.

• Small/Simple (ranches, ~15–18 squares): $10,000–$14,500

• Typical 2-story (20–25 squares): $12,500–$18,500

• Larger/Complex (steep, dormers, chimney & skylights): $18,000–$28,000+

Your final quote can be below or above these depending on: number of layers, plywood replacement, chimney/skylight work, ventilation upgrades, and access constraints (tight city lots vs open drives).

ROI & timing (why fall helps)

Roof replacements often show meaningful resale value and curb-appeal boost in Cost-vs-Value data (metal and asphalt tracked separately). Beyond resale, doing the job in fall helps shingles seal and gets the house ready before freeze-thaw and snow loads—reducing emergency calls.

How to get the most accurate number (and avoid surprise costs)

• Ask for a line-item estimate Make sure the quote shows tear-off, underlayments, flashing, ventilation, carpentry allowances, and disposal. You want to see what’s included (and what’s not). National cost guides call out these hidden items as the usual budget busters.

• Confirm permit handling The contractor should pull the permit and schedule required inspections with the City of Allentown. allentownpa.gov+1

• Match the roof to the house Architectural asphalt is the sweet spot for most Allentown neighborhoods; consider energy and ice-dam performance (underlayments + balanced ridge/soffit ventilation).

• Compare like-for-like When reviewing multiple quotes, ensure scope parity (same underlayments, same flashing scope, same ventilation plan).

• Plan a 10% contingency Older homes sometimes reveal hidden decking or framing issues once the roof is opened.

Bottom line for Allentown homeowners

Online cost pages give you a starting point; your home’s age, pitch, and details determine the rest. If you’re targeting a fall project, get on the calendar and lock scope now—before winter rush and weather windows tighten.

Questions or ready for a precise, written estimate? Call 610-587-2709 or message us for a same-week assessment in Allentown, Whitehall, Emmaus, Macungie, and nearby.

P.S. Keep your new roof performing: we also offer gutter cleaning and soft/pressure washing as recommended maintenance.