Are you the curator of a historical landmark structure? Or part of a government agency responsible for the preservation of a historic building? How about a general contractor who’s restoring a building with historic significance, in need of a roofing subcontractor?
Historic roofing projects are unique because not only are you responsible for the conservation of its integrity, but its authentic appearance as well.
Enter Detwiler Roofing, your partner in restoring and maintaining your historic building’s roofing. We use genuine period-specific roofing materials, as well as reproductions—depending upon your budget and conservatory requirements.
Let’s take a look at what’s involved with historical roofing repair, restoration and replacement.
In your search for a trusted historic-roofing partner, it is important to keep in mind that this isn’t your typical roof project. The roofing experts at Detwiler Roofing understand just how important it is that your building be properly represented to your community, history enthusiasts…and the world.
Ensure that your roofing contractor’s past projects include historical roofing. Specific skills are necessary for working with the types of material used on historic buildings.
Slate is a beautiful roofing material, with natural color and texture variations—making each roof unique. The existing slate on your building’s roof is likely hundreds of years old. This is a very durable roofing material, but regular roof inspections, including the replacement of cracked or missing slates, is recommended.
Clay-tile roofs are long-lasting, resist fading and drying, and are a fire-resistant option for buildings of all ages. However, those tiles can easily crack when struck with tree branches or other objects. Regular inspections and replacement of broken tiles will extend the life of this type of roof and everything under it.
Wood shingles and rough-cut cedar shakes are also common roofing materials for historic buildings. Their lifespan is much shorter than slate or tiles since they’re more prone to buckling and decay. For this reason, it’s important to remove debris from the roof, wash it and apply protective treatments regularly, replace weak or damaged shingles and control pests.
Copper roofs are durable and fire-resistant. On the downside, they can take years to patina, should not touch other metals…and if they’re not installed correctly, fasteners can loosen and cause problems for your historic building. This beautiful material requires specialized care, and Detwiler Roofing has the know-how to preserve, repair, or replace your copper roof.
We’ve talked about a few of the most common historic roofing materials in PA, NJ, DE, NY and MD, but that’s just the beginning of how Detwiler Roofing’s experts can care for your historic treasure.
We’ll talk about the history of the building, as well as how we can help to preserve it for generations to come.