Historic Roofing Materials & How to Preserve Them

Roofs are a vital part of any structure since they provide adequate protection against the elements. They also play a significant role in enhancing a building’s curb appeal and preventing water damage. Most historic buildings have unique roofing structures consisting of durable materials.

While maintaining them is imperative, it is advisable not to make major design changes since they could cause damage. If you have such a structure on your property, you may wonder if you should observe specific historical roof preservation methods.

Here, we provide historical roof maintenance tips to help you boost durability. We’ll also discuss how repairing these structures can prevent water damage and protect your home.

Historic Roofing Materials & How to Preserve Them

Roofs are a vital part of any structure since they provide adequate protection against the elements. They also play a significant role in enhancing a building’s curb appeal and preventing water damage. Most historic buildings have unique roofing structures consisting of durable materials.

While maintaining them is imperative, it is advisable not to make major design changes since they could cause damage. If you have such a structure on your property, you may wonder if you should observe specific historical roof preservation methods.

Here, we provide historical roof maintenance tips to help you boost durability. We’ll also discuss how repairing these structures can prevent water damage and protect your home.

Wood Shingles

Wood shingles made of oak, cedar, and pine are some of the oldest roofing materials. These can last for about 20-25 years with proper care and maintenance. Still, they are highly prone to water damage, rotting, and moss growth. 

One historical roof preservation tip for such structures is removing debris like leaves and twigs regularly. This measure improves drainage during rainy and snowy seasons, preventing water damage. Another way to preserve your historic wooden roof is by installing zinc or copper strips at the ridges.

When these pieces come into contact with water, they produce a solution that prevents the growth of moss, mildew, and mold. 

More ways to maintain old wood shingles are applying preservative treatments and getting professional historic roof restoration to replace missing parts.

Metal

Metal has been a popular roofing material since as early as the 1700s. This is due to its durability of over 70 years and reliable protection against bad weather. The most common metals used in historic buildings are:

  • Copper rolls
  • Aluminum sheets
  • Tin shingles

Most of these historic roofs are in monumental buildings, mansions, and churches. Still, some older simple homes and cottages have rolled aluminum sheet metal roofs. 

The best historical roof maintenance practice for such structures is regular inspection. With the services of a roofing expert, it is easy to identify signs of wear and tear. Besides, you can fix them without interfering with the original design.

One historic roof repair service these experts offer is fixing dents and perforation. In most cases, they use metal patches to cover up damaged parts. After that, they secure them with screws and apply sealant around the edges to prevent water from seeping.

Slate

Slate is another common historic roofing material imported from Wales in the 18th century. It is still a popular option due to its traditional and neutral appearance. Most Victorian homes with such roofs feature relatively heavy slate pieces of varying colors and beautiful designs.

While these structures are long-lasting, they can damage the trusses due to their weight. The original nails used to hold the stones down are also highly prone to corrosion. 

If your home has a slate roof, it is vital to preserve it. Hire a professional for historic roof restoration services like replacing damaged nails and applying sealant. This measure will prevent the slates from slipping and breaking. 

Another tip for preserving these structures is cleaning the surface at least once per year. This historical roof maintenance practice allows you to get rid of moss and debris that encourage nail corrosion.

Clay Tiles

Using clay tiles for roofing is an ancient invention borrowed from Spain. This trend gained a lot of popularity in the early 20th century, mainly due to the fireproof feature of the roofing material. 

Clay tiles can last for up to 100 years if you maintain them properly. But, the materials under them can suffer damage after some time.

The best way to maintain your historic clay roof is by replacing the underlayment at least every ten years. Moreover, glaze the tiles regularly to prevent water penetration and enhance their lifespan.

Get Historical Roof Preservation Services

Maintaining historic roofs requires special care and skills. At Absolute Construction, we have all the expertise needed to preserve such structures while preventing damage. 

We can also help you conduct historic roof repairs and maintain a seamless look by replacing missing and damaged parts with original materials. Contact us today to book an inspection and get reliable roof preservation services.