Roofing in West Warwick, RI, from Arctic to Riverpoint.

Roofing in West Warwick

West Warwick Roofs: Mill Villages Along the Pawtuxet

West Warwick split off from Warwick in 1913, which makes it the youngest town in Rhode Island. Long before that, the villages along the north and south branches of the Pawtuxet River were home to some of the earliest textile mills in the country, and the town still reads as a string of mill villages: Arctic, Centerville, Clyde, Crompton, Lippitt, Natick, Phenix, Riverpoint and Westcott.

That history shows up on the roofs. Westcott, for example, grew up as housing for mill workers in neighboring Riverpoint. Many older homes in these villages are closely spaced multi-family houses, and some have been re-roofed several times. Close neighbors and tight driveways also mean careful planning for setup and cleanup.

Around the old village centers, newer neighborhoods of capes, ranches and colonials fill in the rest of the town. On those homes the usual question is whether the shingles, vents and flashing have simply reached the end of their life.

Several old mills, like the Royal Mill complex in Riverpoint, have been turned into homes. If you live in a converted building or a condo, the roof may be handled by an association, so check that first.

Photos on this page are illustrations, not specific West Warwick homes or our projects.