If you’re considering installing a new roof on your historic home, getting all the details right is critical. The materials you select should not only be appropriate for the home’s architectural style but should also offer unmatched reliability and safety.
What to Do Before Installing a New Roof
Before choosing the roofing materials, you should first know what kind of roof your historical home may have initially had. This will help you determine whether to restore it to its former glory or opt for a more recent style.
Do the following before you undertake major renovations:
Do a Temporary Patch
Ideally, the process of researching and renovating a historic home roof can take several months. You may also need to get approvals from historical and state building authorities. If your roof is leaking, consider a temporary patch to protect the rest of the house. It is not a good idea to patch a historic home on your own. Hiring a well-experienced roofer goes a long way in ensuring critical evidence that may help you later are well preserved.
Research the Home’s History
It is essential to undertake thorough research of the home’s history. Find out if the current roof is original. Review past work orders and receipts, diaries, journals, original blueprints, photographs, insurance surveys, newspaper clippings, and more to determine the roof’s age. Photographs will specifically help you determine the material and color of the original roof. Your roofer can also check for physical evidence that will tell you what kind of roof your home had based on the old materials such as leftover nails or scraps of metal.
Make Copies of Critical Evidence
Make copies of all critical evidence that you find. This will help you convince the historic preservation office of the changes that should be made to the historic home. Keep in mind that there are many restrictions on the kind of changes to make to a historic home, and it is best if you consult historical organizations before you undertake any repairs.
Ideal Roofing Materials for Your Historic Home
The materials you select should not only be appropriate for the home’s architectural style but should also offer unmatched reliability and safety. Let’s look at the most commonly used materials for historic home roofs:
- Wood shingles: Wood shingles are natural, rustic-looking products that look great on a variety of historic home styles. They also boast of a long lifespan of between 25 to 30 years.
- Slate: Slate roofing is ideal for European, French chateau, Victorian, and Colonial homes. Slate roofs can last up to 100 years. They are also highly resistant to fire
- Metal: Metal roofs are ideal for cabins, cottages, and bungalow-style homes. Metal is also quite durable and can last for up to 75 years. A popular metal material for historic homes is copper that can last up to 100 years.
- Clay tiles: Clay tiles are ideal for the mission and colonial styles of 20th-century homes. Clay tiles are popular due to their fireproofing qualities, thus suitable for areas experiencing frequent wildfires.
Trust A. Brooks Construction Kanga Roof for All of Your Roofing Needs
We are a leading residential roof repair company in Bucks County. Our team of experienced roofing contractors is certified to expertly handle all of your roofing needs, including roof replacements and repairs. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our exceptional residential roofing services in Bucks County!
