Best practices from Historic New England experts

The proper treatment and care for a roof isn’t only important for the preservation and protection of the resource. A roof is a major part of the overall character and interpretation of the structure and site. Despite proactive maintenance, the roof is a sacrificial layer for protecting the building and will ultimately require replacement.

Historic New England developed the following general guidelines for roof replacement:

• Research and document the history and evolution of roofing on the resource as well as the failure mechanisms to understand the management requirements of the roof.
• Monitor the condition of the roof and perform maintenance on the roof as required.
• Generally, flashing and small roof leaks can be repaired without the replacement of the entire roof structure.
• All roofing materials are sacrificial and will require replacement eventually.
• Periodic cleaning and the routine application of appropriate preservatives may be necessary to prolong the lifespan of the roof.
• Document the existing roof type and details before any work commences.
• The first approach is to replace the roof in-kind, matching extant materials and details. The roofing system and appearance of the roof is part of the overall interpretation of the site and part of the historic accuracy.
• Material replacements should match type and style as best as possible.
• It is understood that roofing materials are a resource that requires cyclical renewal and preserving the previous generation of shingles in situ is not possible.

Roofing Topics

• Roof Replacement Guidelines
• History of Roofing Materials
• Material and Detail Change
• Roof Maintenance
• Ice Dam Prevention
• Wood Shingle Roof Installation
• Wood Shingle Roof Material Selection
• Wood Shingle Roof Treatments

Read more white papers on gutters and downspouts and building preservation and maintenance.