At M&K Renovations, we know how important it is for a historic home to maintain the architectural elements that make it unique. Most of these elements were developed for practical purposes of keeping water out of the house or preventing large slabs of ice or snow from falling on people or objects below. Others were purely for decoration. Some of those features include rake boards, cupolas, roof combs and roof cresting, wedges along dormers, and other features that have become hallmarks of historic homes along the Main Line.

Some materials used in historic homes are very durable, others less so. But eventually, like all roofs, the roofs of historic homes will need to be repaired and replaced.   

Common roofing of historic homes

Water damage is the biggest enemy of roofs. As roofing experts, we are absolutely committed to sealing every area that could allow water to seep under the roofing and into the house. Different historic roofing materials pose different challenges, but we understand the unique features of historic roofing materials used in the Main Line area and are committed to retaining the historic nature of your home while providing you with a high-quality, state-of-the-art roof that will last for years.

Common historic roofing materials include: 

Wood shingles: Wood is a beautiful roof material, but it has a naturally-limited life expectancy. Moisture seeps into the grain and ultraviolet rays break down wood fibers. Moss and fungus grow easily on wood surfaces, speeding decay and allowing moisture to accumulate in substructures and make its way into your home. 

Replacing wooden shingles on a historic home requires careful attention to such details as the original placement of the shingles, the presence of roof accents, and the maintaining of the historic appearance while minimizing leakage around chimneys, dormers, etc.

You can replace your wooden roof with modern wood shingles or choose from a wide variety of manmade options that maintain the look of real wood but increase life expectancy and durability. 

Slate: Slate is a common roof material in our corner of Pennsylvania. While it is quite durable, slate eventually begins to crumble, starting around edges and nail holes. This allows moisture to seep in, and with the constant freeze-and-thaw seesaw we experience throughout winter in our area, substructures can begin to deteriorate and sag under the heavy weight of the slate, speeding up the breakage and deterioration of the slate tiles. 

The issue with replacing a slate roof is cost. There are other materials that we can use to give you a look and feel similar to slate but are not as expensive. We can help you evaluate these options so you can make the right decision for your home.  

Clay tiles: Clay tiles resist deterioration from natural wear and tear for many years, but they are brittle. Their real enemy is impact – a falling limb can wreak havoc on a tile roof.

When replacing or repairing a tile roof, it is again very important to maintain the same look and design that was originally used while ensuring that the roof is water-tight. Alternative products are available that offer the look of clay without the brittleness. 

Metal: Copper was the first metal roofing. On many historic buildings, the telltale green of old oxidized copper roofing can still be seen. If this copper roof is replaced, it will, of course, look copper-colored – at least for a while.  

Galvanized metal roofs became very popular in the United States in the mid-1800s. Galvanization (steel or iron coated with zinc) was invented in France in 1836, after which galvanized roofs became the rage. Tin-plated iron, often with a stamped design made to appear like shingles, was also popular. Both of these materials were durable but less expensive than copper roofs. The metal was often painted to provide protection from rust. 

Painting a metal roof regularly can maintain its durability almost indefinitely. If your metal roof requires repair or replacement, we at M&K Renovations have the know-how to preserve the look and feel of your historic home while improving the quality and appearance of your roof. 

Work with experts

When it’s time to repair or replace the roof on your historic home, entrust it to builder-contractors who are experienced in working with your particular roofing material. Contact us today to see how we can help you.