A new roof for an old house.

New England is chock full of antique

homes.  It's not hard to imagine the weather beatings that these homes take over the years.  Hurricanes, Nor'easter's, snowstorms, intense cold and intense heat; all of these affect the roof on any home, but specifically the older home that's stood for several hundred years.  The unusual line of the mansard roofline makes it more difficult to repair and replace, but we love it.

It's not easy to drive along streets of a busy seaside town, let alone drive around dumpsters, but it's crucial to the life of the building to replace the roof.  Taking off the old layers is the proper way to do it although we've purchased old houses with several different layers.

This gorgeous antique home is breathing a sigh of relief now that the weight of the old shingles has been lifted.

A saltbox is tricky as the front of the house can be rather steep while the back of the house is typically a gentle slope.  The cedar shingles are in keeping with the age of the home.

It's not a project that's finished quickly when done right.

Built in 1810, this home (like many others in the area) withstood the 1938 hurricane.  At that time, trees were minimal.  They were used for building and firewood.  As other heat sources became readily available, trees were no longer cut down at a fast rate.  It's important to replace any damaged plywood before installing the new roofing material.

Huge tarps are used to protect the windows and the side of the house from falling debris.

Complete!

Homes that are on the coast near the water need a bit more maintenance due to the moisture in the immediate coastal area.  We love the trim in the peak of this home and the "eyebrows" over the upper floor windows.

You can't be afraid of heights if you're a roofer!  With so many of these lovely antique homes being demolished, it's a true appreciation of history to maintain an older home.