Historic Preservation Guide to Roofing

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What are the Historic Preservation Guidelines?

The general policy for roof repair and replacement in historic preservation districts is to retain the original roof shape, details, and roofing materials when possible. Guidelines can be broken up into three general areas, maintenance, appropriate and inappropriate roofing renovations, and repairs.

This is an excerpt from our free ebook, Field Guide: Historic Home Roofing

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Roof Maintenance

Historic preservation always recommends maintenance first.  These roof repairs often do not require approval or application fees. Recommended roofing care is typical:

  • Annually Inspect shingles, chimney, and gutters for leaks, wear, and damage.

  • Regularly Clean debris from gutter, roofs, and valleys regularly.

  • Immediately Repair damage and leaks as soon as noticed.

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Roofing Renovations

 Appropriate vs. Inappropriate

Appropriate

Guidelines vary between districts and cities; however, many hold the same principles. Some roof repairs may require an application and approval by municipal staff. Others require an application and a commission review. It is vital that before any homeowner proceeds with a roof renovation, they consult their local city and district. Historic roof replacement and renovations are appropriate when they:

  • Repair less than 50% of any material on any side using similar material and design.

  • Replace a non-historic roof with asphalt architectural shingles.

  • Replace all-metal flashing with painted metal flashing that matches the color of the roof

  • Replace non-historic gutter with powdered finish gutters that match the color of facia

  • Install new items or additions on the rear of the roof were not visible.

Inappropriate

Historic preservation commission may deem many repairs, renovations, and replacements as not appropriate. The most commonly requested inappropriate roof renovations are:

  • Replacing historical or original roofing material.

  • Adding on to or altering the front elevation or street visible part of the home.

  • Changing or removing the original shape, pitch, and overhang of the roof.

  • Installing galvanized gutters or flashing.

  • Installing metal panel roofs where they did not exist historically.

Before you start any renovation on your historic home and roof, check with your local historic preservation commission or city.