Local Roofing Guide · Swarthmore
Roofing in Swarthmore: A College Town of Older Homes
Swarthmore grew up around Swarthmore College, founded by Quakers in 1864, and the college’s arboretum campus still anchors the borough.
Homes in Swarthmore
Swarthmore’s homes are among the older ones we serve: half were built in 1949 or earlier, and 67% predate 1960. 56% are detached houses, many of them stone or stucco.
- Slate and older roofs on stone and stucco homes
- Chimney, dormer and wall flashing on masonry houses
- Copper gutters and valleys on character homes
- Gutters and roofs under mature trees
Permits: Swarthmore Borough
Permits go through Swarthmore Borough. Re-roofing rules differ from one Pennsylvania municipality to the next, so we confirm what your address needs and handle the filing.
Storm history: tornado and hail nearby
On August 22, 2010, an EF-0 tornado with winds up to 75 mph touched down in the city of Chester near the Commodore Barry Bridge, damaging the roofs and siding of three houses. Hail as large as 1.75 inches fell in Media, about 2.5 miles away, on March 29, 2009.
Swarthmore by the numbers
1949Median year homes were built
67%Homes built before 1960
54Days with storm wind damage reported nearby since 2005
30Days with hail reported nearby since 2005
Half of the homes in Swarthmore were built in 1949 or earlier, and 67% predate 1960. Thunderstorm wind damage was reported within 5 miles on 54 days since 2005, and hail on 30. The strongest measured gust nearby was 76 mph near Drexel Hill in June 2010. Live Swarthmore forecast, radar & alerts →
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 — Swarthmore borough; National Weather Service storm reports 2005–2026, within 5 miles of the town center; permit details from the municipal websites linked above.
