If you are the owner of a historic home, you know how important a good roof is– to keep you and your family protected from the elements while also adding aesthetic appeal to the house.
When you plan to get a new roof for your historic home, make sure you hire roofing professionals who have experience installing the right type of roof for historic homes in your area.
Here are some things to think about when getting a roof for your historic home…
#1 Conduct A High-Quality Assessment Of The Roof:
With the help of an assessment report, you should be able to identify the level of work that needs to be done. This report is like a modern-day roof inspection. The assessment will cover information regarding the age of the roof, the condition of the shingles on the roof, whether there are water leak issues, and/or issues related to the growth of mold/mildew. The assessment will also consider the underlying surface of the roof and the attic portion. Professional roofing contractors conduct the inspection or the assessment and let you know the exact condition of the roof.
#2 Research Historic Roofs:
Before making the selection of your “new” roof, you must research historic roofs, their architecture, and the people who designed them. Along with this, you need to consider the house plan and match the roof’s architecture that’s suitable for historic homes. This research will help professional roofers ensure that the “house plan” is followed perfectly and the originality of the building or the historic home is maintained.
#3 Refer To The Documents Of Your Historic Home:
The documentation you have regarding your historic home will help you through the entire process of getting roof work done. Moreover, the documentation will also help you fulfill the obligation to maintain the look of the home while you are working on the roof. It will also help in keeping a record of the roof restoration work done.
#4 The Roofing Material Must Match The Historic Home:
For historic homes, the roof plays an integral part in maintaining the architectural significance of a home which includes its design and texture. The roofing material you choose should be able to keep up the integrity of the house. Even though it might be costly, it’s important to use a roofing material that matches what was already there on top of your historic home. What are some roofing materials often found on historic homes? Asphalt shingles with a brownish-red or grayish color, natural slates or clay tiles, and/or galvanized metallic options like zinc or tin work nicely. Make sure to choose a color that enhances the overall look of the building.
#5 Comply With The Guidelines Of Historic Roofing:
Generally, most historic homes are registered with the government, and if you want to replace the roofs of such historic homes, you need to make sure that professional roofers or roofing contractors are following up with the roofing guidelines. Sometimes, you also need to visit the historical commission to get permission for the work to be done before actually beginning the roof replacement work.
Summary:
When getting new roofing for a historic home, be sure to take into account the home’s history and style so that the new roof “fits in” and looks good. Oftentimes, guidelines need to be followed in order to match what was already there. Working with professional roofing contractors will help you do the right thing in the right way.