Eiseman Construction — a woman-owned roofing company — has begun work on a $14 million project to replace the original cedar roofing on the houses of Whitpain Farm in Blue Bell with a long-lasting and fire-resistant synthetic material that mimics the look of cedar.
Eiseman Construction is a full-service contractor specializing in roofing and exterior remodeling and has served residential and commercial clients across Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Eiseman provides services for a variety of projects, including residential housing, multi-family townhouses, condominium projects and historic and commercial repairs and renovations.
After reviewing proposals from many area contractors, the homeowners’ association of Whitpain Farm, a 55-and-over community in Whitpain Township, selected Eiseman for the job. Led by principal Melissa Eiseman, the company began onsite work June 6.
“We are excited to partner with the Whitpain Farm HOA leaders and property managers on this comprehensive project,” Eiseman said in a press release. “A home is usually one of a family’s largest financial assets, and we are honored to be entrusted with this project. This replacement project will give the homes of Whitpain Farm beautiful new roofing that meets the highest standards for aesthetics, safety, and resale value.”
The two-year project will replace the roofs and skylights on all 171 homes in the neighborhood with CeDUR synthetic roofing shakes. After being removed, some of the existing cedar shake shingles will be recycled into wood chips.
Whitpain Farm HOA president Dick Lean said the roof project represents a significant investment for the gated community on Butler Pike, which adds to the value of the homes.
“This community is now 38 years old, and it was definitely time to upgrade our roofing material to something that looks great and offers better fire and hail protection and, therefore, insurability,” Lean said in a press release. “We are glad to be working with Melissa and her crew and are particularly excited to be one of the first neighborhoods on the East Coast to install CeDUR shingles, which last forever and look like real cedar.”
The project is the first large-scale installation in the Northeast of the roofing material made by Aurora, Colorado-based manufacturer, CeDUR. Company president Barry Gleichenhaus touted the many benefits of the synthetic roofing system, including significantly lower maintenance, improved fire rating, strong impact resistance, and durability.
“CeDUR shakes are molded from natural cedar shakes and are designed and engineered to look just like hand-split, solid wood, cedar shakes,” Gleichenhaus said in a press release. “A CeDUR synthetic roof gives a home classic wood beauty without the constant maintenance and fire dangers inherent in real wood, enhancing the home’s curb appeal and property value.”
The project team also includes representatives from Doylestown-based Bustamante Engineers, building materials supply house, Universal Supply Co., and property management company FirstService Residential, which manages Whitpain Farm.
