Own A Historical Building And Roof In Bad Condition? Restore It To Make It Last Longer
Posted on: 2 November 2022
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If you own a historical building and the roof is in bad condition, you have the option of restoring the roof. Below is information about different roofing materials you can choose when restoring the roof, as well as how the restoration process works.
Roofing Materials
There are a variety of roofing materials you can choose from when restoring your roof. One option is slate roofing tiles. This is a high-quality option and slate is a very durable material. Slate is made of clay and sedimentary rocks made from volcanic ash. The tiles come in different variations of colors to make the roof look interesting and beautiful. Slate is also resistant to fires and can hold up well to strong storms, as well as ice and snow.
Wood is another option you have when restoring the historical roof. Wood shakes and shingles are used often and look good on modern buildings as well as historical ones. Wood offers a rustic look so consider if you like this style before you choose wood. Common woods used for the shakes or tiles are cypress and cedar. You can choose from a variety of styles for shingles and shakes. Wood does not last as long as slate does as it can rot if it is exposed to moisture. The wood can also buckle. The wood shakes or shingles are easy to repair, however, or they can be easily replaced if damaged.
Metal is also available for your historical roof. Copper is a popular metal that is used as it is durable and will last a long time. Metal is popular as it is easy to maintain and provides energy efficiency. There are also metal shingles that you can choose that come in a variety of styles, colors, and shapes. Metal is resistant to fire and other hazards. One problem with metal roofing or metal tiles is rusting. Because of this many manufacturers use a process known as galvanization on the metal to protect it from rust and corrosion.
Historical Roof Restoration Process
Always hire a professional to restore your historical roof. Ask if they have experience doing this as it is much different than restoring a traditional roof for a business or a home. The first thing the contractor will do is closely inspect the roof. They will look for damage as well as if there are any roof leaks. In some cases, the current roof could simply be failing due to natural causes.
The contractor will inspect the attic to see if there is damage due to leaks. This also allows the contractor to see the roofing materials that are under the roof. If any damage is found, it will be repaired before the restoration process begins. The roofing contractor may not be able to use the original roofing materials as they may not be available. If so, they will ensure the substitutes they choose match well.
The roofing contractor can give you much more information about the historic building roof restoration process.