Choosing The Right Roof for Historic & Older Homes
Historic and older homes are filled with memories that can last a lifetime. These homes can be enjoyed for many years, giving generations of family members a place to call home. As much as we wish historic or older homes could last forever, they eventually will need special attention so that they can continue to be the place you love. One thing you can do to ensure your historic or older home lasts for ages is choose the right roof. We want to help you choose the right roof for your historic home so that you can enjoy it for many years to come!
Select a Roof Based on Your Home’s Era
Choosing a roof that is based on your homes era is ESSENTIAL! You want to make sure your home is historically correct in every way, including your roof. Here are a few common roofing structures and the era to match so that you can determine which roof is best for your home!
Types of Historic Roofs
Time | Style | Materials used |
Pre-Revolution | Georgian or Federal | Wood Shingles |
18th Century | Federal Style | Wood shingles or Slate |
19th Century | Italianate, Greek, Gothic | Metal, Wood, Slate |
20th Century | Bungalow, Craftsman | Asphalt shingles, Slate |
Following Historic Guidelines
If your home is historically registered, then you will need to visit your city’s historical commissions to ensure that you are following the historical guidelines and also get approved for any construction done to the historical home. The construction done to your historic home should not interfere with the historical value of the home, but if you need to have repairs done to preserve the home, then they should be approved. For these situations, it’s best to work with a roofing company that is familiar with the unique needs of historic homes and can give you the best outcome for your roof restoration.
Choosing the Right Roofing Material
So when choosing the right roof for your historic or older home, you want to start by changing some of the older materials used to make your roof with updated materials. Some of the most common changes we see with historic or older homes are:
Synthetic slate to replace real slate
Modern metal to replace metal galvanized with zinc or plated with tin
Asphalt shingles to replace tile roofs
Concrete tiles to replace clay tiles
Making these few changes will bring your historic or older home roof into the 21st century. While the materials of your home may be changing, these changes will not interfere with the overall look of your home. These changes will just make your roof stronger so that your historic home’s roof can be more durable.
Contact Perimeter Roofing for Your Roof Restoration
When you’re ready to explore your options for historic roof restoration or replacement, give Perimeter Roofing a call. We have been performing roof repair and replacement for decades so we are very familiar with the unique roofing needs of historic homes. We can offer you a wide selection of options to restore the beauty and functionality of your historic home. Contact us at the location nearest to you so we can discuss your roof restoration today!