Choosing the Right Roof for Historic Homes

If you are going to be purchasing an older home or installing a new roof on an older home, you need to make sure that the materials suit the legacy while providing strength to the structure. It’s often difficult to find roofing materials that suit an older building because many of the original materials are simply not used in construction anymore. There are several factors that go into choosing the right roof for historic homes. 

A good rule of thumb is to first consult with an architect as well as a licensed roofer to determine the best course of action for replacing the roof on your historical building. If you could meet with the owner of the building and get more information about the past roofing materials, this may help you with a prospective purchase to. Historical roofing experts need to have a knowledge about some of the structural loads of the building and the water management systems that are used to preserve items on the building. 

Some of the best alternative roofing materials that can offer a historical look with modern design include:

Slate: synthetic slate roofs are considered one of the least expensive options for a historical roof. Real slate tiles were often used in roofing constructions in the past and this is a much cheaper alternative. 

Clay tiles: Clay or concrete tiles last a long time in a roofing structure and the modern concrete alternative can often be one of the best types of tiles for mimicking the look of a historical roof.

Zinc or tin: These materials are perfect as a substitute for metal standing seam roofs. The nice part about these materials is that they also never need refinishing or repainting. 

Sculptural roof: sculptural shingles are an architectural shingle made to mimic the classic look of Victorian shingles. They’re made with modern building materials that are designed to last as long as any modern roofing system.

Consider any of these top options before you purchase a historical home or replace the roof. Be sure to contact a roofing expert that has experience with historical homes for your roof. Reggie Reed Roofing has over 40 years of experience between 3 generations of Reed’s servicing the Pinellas area. Contact us today for a free estimate!