Historic homes have a charm that you can't find in modern homes. They are rich in history—from how they were built to the people that lived there. Preserving and restoring historic roofing materials is a project that requires a passion for history and a willingness to commit to a process that takes time, money, patience, and care.
In fact, one of the first projects for many historic homeowners is to restore the roof because it is a critical piece that protects the interior. Maintaining the roof style and materials is critical to preserving its historic architectural integrity
In this article, we will discuss historic roofing materials, the importance of preserving the architectural integrity of roofs on historic homes, and tips to help get you started in your restoration process.
Importance Of Preserving A Historic Roof
There are countless styles of historic homes, and the roof is often one of the key defining features; it helps separate a Queen Anne-style home from a Georgian or Bungalow. They have key-defining features like the delicate, decorative vergeboard often seen in Gothic Revival homes. Beyond their architectural and historical importance, a historical roof is still a roof. It is essential to protect the home from the elements and to provide crucial structural integrity.
Restoring and preserving these roofs will not only help preserve the home's history and original aesthetics, it will also help increase the property's overall value.
The Most Common Historic Roofing Materials
The roofing material a builder chose for a historic home often depended on the style and century in which the home was built. Common historic roofing materials included:
Wood Shingles/Shakes
Wood shingles and shakes have a long history, with their earliest noted use in America dating back to the Pre-Revolution era with New England, Dutch, French Colonial, and Georgian-style homes. They continued to appear throughout history, and remained a popular choice all into the 20th century.
Advantages
Can easily replicate a historic wood shingle or shake roof
Works well with many historic home styles
Resistant to wind damage
Expensive to buy and install
Disadvantages
High-maintenance: requires special coatings to protect from rot and algae
Flammable
Vulnerable to insects
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles were another popular historic roofing material pre-Revolution because of their fire resistance and they appeared on Spanish colonial-style homes. In the 19th century, it saw a small revival and could be found in Italianate and Richardson Romanesque-style homes, which used rounded and pantile shapes.
Advantages
Easy to maintain the original material and repair a damaged tile
Incredibly durable, and fire and rot-resistant
Can last over 100 years if properly installed
Low maintenance, simply remove debris and get annual inspections
Eco and environmentally-friendly
Disadvantages
Fragile and can break during installation or transport
Requires a clay tile expert for installation
A professional must do maintenance work
Expensive and heavy
Structural reinforcement may be necessary to support a new clay roof
Slate Tiles
Slate roofs were available during the pre-Revolution but were rarely used. Some 18th-century Federal-style homes utilized slate instead of wood shingles. 19th century Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Second Empire styles favored slate.
Advantages
Fire and Impact-resistant
Can last over 100 years if properly installed
Energy-efficient
Low maintenance, only need to worry about annual inspections
Disadvantages
Extremely heavy and expensive material
Can break if walked on
Requires slate expert for installation
May need to reinforce home structure to support a new roof
Metal
Metal roofing was extremely rare before the 19th century as it was an expensive option, with only copper and lead available, so few homes had it until after the Civil War. It was generally only used for homes where other materials were impractical or difficult to install.
Advantages
Lightweight material
Energy-efficient
Protective and durable; resistant to elements and fire
Disadvantages
Can still get dented from impacts
Rain and hail can create unwanted noise
More expensive than options like shingles
Asphalt Shingles
The first asphalt shingles in the U.S. date back to 1901, though they didn't become popular until the 1920s. While the earliest versions of the asphalt roof shingles have been discontinued, they were similar to the modern 3-tab shingles we have today, which have since become, arguably, the most revolutionary historic roofing material.
Advantages
Most affordable material
3-Tab Shingles are similar to historic asphalt shingles
Disadvantages
Prone to damage, especially from wind
Has the shortest lifespan of all the historical materials
Less energy-efficient
Detracts from the aesthetic if applied to the wrong home style
Considerations For Replacing Historic Home Roofs
Doing a historic home roof replacement isn't like doing a traditional home roof replacement. With historic home roofing, there are many things you must consider, such as:
Historic Material Preservation
Different home styles use different materials, and the materials are often a defining feature of historic homes. When looking to replace a damaged historic roof, it is critical to keep this in mind. Changing the material could change the home's aesthetics and take away from its historical nature.
Local Preservation Guidelines
Different areas have different guidelines concerning historic home restorations. You must consult this information before starting on any project. The guidelines are in place to ensure the history of historic properties and ensure it is not lost.
Reasons The Previous Roof Failed
Materials like clay and slate are built to last centuries. Regardless of the material, studying the situation before making any replacements is vital. What caused the previous roof to fail? If it has something to do with the underlying structure, you must address that issue before installing a new roof.
Substituting Historic Roofing Materials With Brava Roof Tiles
If you are considering an alternative material for your historic roof, consider Brava, a leading manufacturer of composite roof tiles that mimic the look of real materials, including wood, slate, and clay.
Composite roofing products have many benefits: they last longer, offer more durability, and are aesthetically pleasing. Brava tiles also offer these benefits:
Class or C Fire Ratings
Class 4 Impact Rated
Miami-Dade Approved
Wind resistance up to 188 MPH with ring shank nails or 211 MPH with screw installation.
Color coatings are formulated to provide UV protection
50-year warranty.
Brava Cedar Shakes
Brava cedar shake shingles look like rustic split shakes but have the benefits of composite materials. They come in a wide range of colors which makes it easy to color-match an existing wood shingle roof to the product.
These historic homes in Ohio, which have been around for over 100 years, needed new roofs. Brava was able to color match the existing roof shakes to provide them with the perfect replacement product that will protect the homes for decades to come without changing the home's appearance.
Brava Slate Tiles
Brava's synthetic slate has the beauty of natural slate without the weight––or the cost. Old World Slate tiles come in multiple widths and a beautiful range of colors.
Brava Spanish Barrel
Brava's synthetic Spanish Barrel tiles look exactly like the real thing, but at a fraction of the cost and without all the extra weight. Like the other Brava roofing options, the Spanish Barrel tile comes in many colors, to make it easy to color-match for the perfect replacement.
Tips To Get You Started Obtaining Permits
Obtaining permits for work on historical homes is more complex than an ordinary home. It can involve multiple government agencies, who are the ones to grant you the permits and oversee the project. Historical boards or committees are also often involved, to help guide the process and they approve everything you do, including changes, materials, and the methods you use for the work. Here are some tips to help you through the process:
Determine The Types Of Permits Required
Historic buildings have many different possible permits. The most common is construction permits needed for new construction, renovations, and restoration work. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permits are also necessary to change and upgrade these systems.
Alteration permits may also be necessary if there are possible or planned alterations that can affect the historic character of the building.
Research
You'll need thorough documentation to obtain permits to work on a historic home. This includes all historical research and architectural plants, which must comply with preservation guidelines. You can also look for past permits, which can help reveal more about the history of the building.
Have A Team Ready
You also want to have a team ready: architects, engineers, and contractors who all have experience with historical restoration and preservation. Your permits won't get approved without the right experts to do the job.
Understand Compliance Requirements
Every decision you make will go through a preservation board. They review and approve permits and provide design guidelines to help ensure applicants meet the necessary standards for historic preservations. To ensure you comply with the necessary guidelines:
1. Review Preservation Standards
Take some time to review the preservation standards for historic homes. While standards are generally the same, there may be variations by state and local areas. These standards will address what projects need Board approval and what do not.
2. Talk To The Preservation Committee Or Board
Talk to the committee as you plan and prepare for your permit application. They can help you to understand the guidelines and explain anything you need clarification on. Taking the time to understand will help you plan and fill out your permit request accordingly so that there is less time wasted.
3. Keep Board Up-To-Date
Keep the board well informed on every step of the project so they know what is happening and can give approval before you start. While it sounds tedious, it is vital to do this and to maintain a positive relationship with them as they are doing their job and trying to help preserve history.
Preserving History With Brava Tiles
Taking on a historic home restoration is a project of love. It is bound to bring feelings of frustration at times as you look for the right materials to restore it to its original glory. One area where you can safely avoid frustration is by replacing the roof. Brava's composite tiles provide the perfect realistic alternative without the added cost or complications that come with their real counterpart. With Brava, you will have a beautiful, historically accurate roof that requires virtually no maintenance, is extremely durable, and will last for years.
Contact us today to learn more about Brava's roofing options and get samples to see just how realistic they are.
