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Historic wooden shingle roofs further

The Old House Web
>>Introduction >>Roofing practices to avoid
>>History of wood shingles in America >>Maintenance
>>Historic detailing and replacing roofs >>Taking it further
>>Specifications for the replacement roof  

By Sharon C. Park, AIA

A combination of:

  • careful research to determine the historicappearance of the roof,
  • good specifications
  • installation details designedto match the historic roof,
  • and long-term maintenance, will make it possible tohave not only a historically authentic roof, but a cost-effective one.

It isimportant that professionals be part of the team from the beginning. Apreservation architect should specify materials and construction techniques thatwill best preserve the roof's historic appearance. The shingle supplier mustensure that the best product is delivered and must stand behind the guarantee ifthe shipment is not correct. The roofer must be knowledgeable about traditionalcraft practices. Once the new shingle roof is in place, it must be properlymaintained to give years of service.

Taking it further

Bucher, Robert C. "The Long Shingle." Pennsylvania Folklife, Vol.XVIII, No. 4, Summer 1969.

Cox, Richard E. "Wooden Shingles from the Fortress of Louisbourg."Bulletin of the Association for Preservation Technology, Vol. Il, Nos. 12 1970p.p.65.

Engle, Reed. "Restoring a Roofing." CRM Bulletin, a publication ofthe National Park Service, Vol. 8, No. 6 Dec. 1985.

Kidder, F.E. Building Construction and Superintendence, Part II. New York:William T. Comstock, 1902.

LeVan, Susan. "FireRetardant Treatments for Wood Shingles."Techline, Madison, Wisconsin: U.S.D.A. Forest Service, 1988.

Niemiec, S.S. and T.D. Brown. "Care and Maintenance of Wood Shingle andShake Roofs. " Oregon State University Extension Service, September 1988.Publication #EC 1271.

The Old House Journal, Vol. XI, No. 3, April 1983. Special Roof Issue.

Peterson, Charles E. (editor). Building Early America. Radnor, Pennsylvania:Chilton Book Co. 1976.

Stevens, John. "Shingles." Bulletin of the Association forPreservation Technology, Vol. II, Nos. 12 1970, pp. 74.

Sweetser, Sarah M. Preservation Briefs 4: Roofing for Historic Buildings.Washington, D.C.: Technical Preservation Services Division, National ParkService, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1978.

Tollesten, Kristin. "Shingles and Shingled Roofs." No FutureWithout the Past. Rome, Italy: ICOMOS, 1981. pp. 347360.

Backto wood roof introduction ->


-- NPS Preservation Brief 19



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