The slate roof of a historic home can and should be a thing of beauty. A slate roof not only elevates the look of a home, but it plays a vital role in protecting your historic structure and ensuring a long, prosperous lifespan. Slate doesn’t absorb water easily, is fireproof, and provides excellent insulation from both hot and cold weather. When properly installed, it can last up to an impressive 80 years.
The historic nature of slate roofing materials and processes can complicate the repair or replacement process — a poor repair can compromise the ability of your slate roof to protect your home, and it can also create larger, more costly problems down the line. Plus, the connected nature of a historic home’s exterior elements enhance the importance of high-quality repair or restoration work.
Choosing the right historic roof contractor can go a long way toward preserving the appearance and structural integrity of your historic property. These six characteristics will help you select the best historic slate roof contractor to restore your roof system for generations to come.
Historic property expertise
Historic properties — particularly residential properties — use construction materials and methods that are very different from what you see today. This is why partnering with a slate roof contractor that has historic property expertise is such an important consideration. Not only can these contractors execute specialized, highly-skilled slate work, they have the knowledge and experience to identify smaller problems early before they become bigger, more expensive issues.
Requesting customer testimonials or reviews, visiting the site of current projects, asking about memberships to professional organizations, and recognition of work by said organizations can help you evaluate the level of expertise a historic slate roof contractor can provide.
Experience with slate roofing systems
Choosing an experienced contractor that has a proven track record with slate tile roofs guarantees proper installation, repair, and maintenance. This helps avoid costly mistakes from less experienced contractors, especially given that slate tiles are extremely dense, making them more prone to cracking and chipping in the hands of less experienced contractors.
Working with an experienced slate roof contractor helps ensure that slate roof tiles will be installed properly and with an eye for detail. Plus, experienced slate roof contractors know the right safety measures to take to help create a safe, efficient working environment to complete restoration on time and without incident.
Superior craftsmanship
The right slate roof contractor for your historic property will understand the value of demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship at every turn. This kind of craftsmanship extends beyond a mastery of slate tile repair or replacement to include obtaining and using historically accurate materials that help retain the historic value of your property.
Access to premium materials
Speaking of materials, you want to choose a slate roof contractor who can access premium, historically accurate slate roof tiles that are compatible with your historic property. This is especially important given the range of slate roof tile grades and colors, and a good slate roof contractor should have productive relationships with stable suppliers to help ensure restoration work is timely and thorough. Plus, access to premium restoration materials means a higher quality restoration that will better protect your property and maximize your investment.
Expertise in complementary systems
The fact is that your slate roof includes other important architectural features that create a holistic roofing system, including elements like copper gutters and downspouts, flashing, and decorative components. Choosing a historic restoration partner that has the knowledge and experience with these connected elements not only helps ensure a more comprehensive repair or replacement process, it can unearth damage or wear and tear to other components of your roof that need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
Maintenance services
Paying for regularly scheduled maintenance might not be a glamorous way to spend your money, but it is extremely important for the longevity of your newly renovated slate roof. When evaluating your options for a slate tile contractor, consider finding one that offers a maintenance plan so you can protect your investment. With regular maintenance, you can keep your slate roof in pristine condition for the generations to come.
While these considerations will help you choose the right historic slate roof contractor for your restoration project, there are a host of other things to consider when hiring a contractor for a job.
Detailed project proposals and outlines and experience in working with insurance companies play a role in a smooth restoration process. Renaissance Historic Exteriors combines these elements with 30+ years of superior craftsmanship in complete historic restoration work, including slate roof repair and replacement.
Contact us to get started on your historic roof restoration today.
Bob Raleigh is the president and owner of Renaissance Historic Exteriors, an internationally recognized historic restoration contractor with numerous industry awards and accolades. With more than 30 years of industry experience, he is considered one of the foremost experts in historic commercial and residential restorations. He holds a degree in business economics from the University of Dubuque and is a board member of the National Slate Association.
