Cambridge's Trusted Historic and Waterfront Roofing Company

Cambridge roofs sit at the intersection of two demanding realities. The Choptank River brings brackish-water moisture and Bay-side hurricane wind load that ruins standard hardware in 5 to 7 years. And Cambridge has homes that have been standing since the 1700s, with one of Maryland’s largest historic districts and a Historic Preservation Commission that signs off on every visible roof. G and Bros has been working coastal and historic properties across the Eastern Shore since 2012, and we built our process to handle both at once.

Whether you own a Federal-era rowhouse on High Street, a Victorian waterfront cottage on Race Street, a year-round home in West End, or a Hyatt Regency-area second home, we will inspect your roof with a drone, send you a clear written estimate, and stand behind every job with the GAF Silver Pledge warranty. We also pull permits with the City of Cambridge and coordinate any review through the Cambridge Historic Preservation Commission when the project requires it.

Cambridge is part of Dorchester County, Maryland, and we are fully licensed in MD under our MHIC license number. We carry general liability and workers’ compensation insurance on every job. We work with all major homeowners and vacation rental carriers, and we handle storm damage documentation for out-of-state owners and Dorchester General Hospital staff homeowners.

A general roofing crew can install a basic shingle roof anywhere. What Cambridge needs is a contractor who understands what the Choptank does to fasteners over 5 years AND who knows the difference between a Federal-era detail and a 1920s Colonial Revival profile when the Historic Preservation Commission asks. Here is what we do differently.

Brackish-water and salt-air corrosion protection

Standard galvanized fasteners can corrode within 5 to 7 years on Cambridge homes within a half-mile of the Choptank, Cambridge Creek, or the surrounding marsh. We use stainless steel ring-shank nails and aluminum flashings on every Cambridge waterfront job. The upgrade adds about 2 percent to your material cost and adds 10+ years to your flashing lifespan.

Cambridge historic district compatibility

The Cambridge Historic District covers nearly 24 city blocks, including High Street, Race Street, and the East Cambridge waterfront. The Historic Preservation Commission has rules about shingle color, profile, and material on visible roofs. We carry sample boards for the architectural shingles that are typically approved (architectural in earth tones, weathered wood, slate gray, charcoal). For stricter requirements, we install authentic cedar shakes or natural slate. We bring the manufacturer specs to your CHPC meeting if you want company.

Wind ratings built for Chesapeake hurricanes

Dorchester County building code requires roofs to handle high wind events from Chesapeake Bay storms. We install GAF Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock technology and the 6-nail pattern that meets the highest manufacturer wind warranty, rated up to 130 mph. For oceanfront-adjacent properties, we recommend the heavier Timberline UHDZ.

Older home structural considerations

Many Cambridge homes are over 100 years old, and some Federal-era rowhouses date to the 1700s. The original framing was not designed for modern composite shingle weight in some cases, and the existing decking may be plank rather than plywood. We inspect for sagging, soft decking, and inadequate ventilation before we tear off. Sometimes the right answer is a full deck replacement during the roof; sometimes we can shore up specific spans. We tell you up front.

Insurance claim experience

Wind, hail, and falling-tree damage are common on the Choptank. We have worked with most major carriers’ adjusters and we document your loss properly the first time, with drone photos, written reports, and Xactimate-comparable estimates. If you are an out-of-state owner of a Cambridge second home, we coordinate directly with your adjuster so you do not have to drive in.