Our History

A History of Chaffee Roofing

1908
Thomas K. Chaffee opens a business to supply oil-based paint, "Chaffee's Mill White,’’ as an alternative to whitewash. His customers are the numerous textile mills, then common in this region. Soon he adds roofing products and adopts the slogan "Make it White, Make it Tight With Chaffee.’’ Barrels of paint are brought up by barge from New Jersey, and then moved to the warehouse at 87 Globe Street, Providence, by horse and team.

1943
Henry N. Chaffee takes over for his father and continues to build on the product line serving the needs of facilities managers throughout the eastern United States.

1958
Chaffee's customers have begun hiring local contractors to apply the Chaffee product. Chaffee forms alliances with the best contractors and offers installed work.

1978
Chaffee installs its first single-ply membrane roof at Narragansett Brewing Company in Cranston, Rhode Island.

1982
Steven H. Chaffee becomes the third generation to own the company, which now specializes in single-ply reroofing projects.

1985
Company has installed more than 500,000 square feet of single-ply roofing.

1987
Chaffee Industrial Roofing makes the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.

1989
Company hits 5,000,000 square feet of single-ply roofing.

1992
Chaffee Industrial Roofing moves into its current facility, which includes 12,000 square feet of office, shop and warehouse in East Providence, Rhode Island.

1994
Company receives Distinguished Service Award from Stevens Roofing Systems.

1995
Chaffee Industrial Roofing surpasses 10,000,000 square-feet mark of installed work.

1996
Company receives Perfect 10 Installer Award for 50th perfect project from Carlisle SynTec Inc. Company is named to the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Hall of Fame.

1997
Chaffee Industrial Roofing is named to the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Hall of Fame for the second year in a row.
Receives the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Alliance Award Silver Prize.
Receives the Firestone Partner in Quality Award.

1998
Company is named to the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Hall of Fame for the third year in a row.
Receives the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Alliance Award Silver Prize for the second year in a row.
Receives the Firestone Partner in Quality Award for the second year in a row.

1999
Chaffee Industrial Roofing is named to the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Hall of Fame for the fourth year in a row.
Receives the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Alliance Silver Award for the third year in a row.

2000
Company receives Carlisle Centurion award for surpassing 100 perfect roofs.
Company is named to the Stevens Roofing Systems’ Hall of Fame for the fifth year in a row.
Receives the Stevens’ Roofing Systems’ Alliance Gold Award.

2001
Chaffee has completed nearly 15 million square feet of reroofing work. Chaffee receives ESP Achievement Award from Carlisle SynTec Systems and is voted one of the Top 100 Installers for Excellence In Single Ply Installation.