Koma Kulshan is a fine example of our company’s commitment to heritage conservation. Koma Kulshan is the Native-American name for Mount Baker in Washington State, and the Koma Kulshan Ranger Station is in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. After the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, greater attention was paid to the maintenance. One of the areas that required attention was the roof. Brava's composite shake roofing product was the ideal choice for a recent renovation project.
View project details here: Koma Kulshan
Historic Koma Kulshan cedar shake roof replacement
About The Koma Kulshan
The Ranger Station was first established in the 1930s. The site was cleared and the original buildings erected by men in the Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal work program for single, unemployed men. The first site plan shows six buildings, and later reports suggested that the steep cedar shingles roof with exposed rafter tails, and the large overhangs on the eaves, were considered to be significant architectural features. The challenge on any heritage site is to renovate the historic buildings with robust modern materials, while maintaining the original design and visual appeal. Enter Brava!
Brava Composite Cedar Shake Shingles
The three most significant heritage buildings now carry Brava “Aged Cedar“ synthetic shake shingles, which replicate the color and texture of the original split wood shake roofing. The two-story Residence Building was erected to provide housing for forestry staff and visitors to the park. The Forest Roads and Trails Building and the Equipment Storage Building, each with unique roofing features, also received Brava composite shingles in the same color. The three smaller structures do not require roofing, but new shingles on the three main buildings add significantly to the conservation and aesthetics of the Ranger Station. In 2014, a study was completed by the University of Washington, resulting in a new Historic Properties Management Plan for the site. The plan reviews the condition of every building, including structural features such as windows and doors, inside furnishings such as cupboards and wall coverings, and landscaping features such as markers and signage. The recommendations point to the need for many repairs and upgrades, but the report makes it clear that the roofs have already been cared for. The composite cedar shake shingles that were installed at the Koma Kulshan Ranger Station are manufactured to last 50 years. They are made of recycled materials and, at the end of their life, they themselves can be recycled. But in this project, strength and sustainability are only part of this story. The appearance of the Brava shake shingles help to maintain the integrity of this historic site, while ensuring that the buildings will be well preserved for future visitors.
