Preservation Brief 19, The Repair and Replacement of Historic Wooden Shingle Roofs

Summary

This is number nineteen of 42 preservation briefs prepared by the Technical Preservation Services of the National Park Service. This brief focuses on the repair and replacement of historic wooden shingle roofs.

A combination of careful research to determine the historic appearance of the roof, good specifications, and installation details designed to match the historic roof, and long-term maintenance, will make it possible to have not only a historically authentic roof, but a cost-effective one. It is important that professionals be part of the team from the beginning. A preservation architect should specify materials and construction techniques that will best preserve the roof's historic appearance. The shingle supplier must ensure that the best product is delivered and must stand behind the guarantee if the shipment is not correct. The roofer must be knowledgeable about traditional craft practices. Once the new shingle roof is in place, it must be properly maintained to give years of service.

Note: Preservation Brief 4, Roofing for Historic Buildings, discusses research methods, analysis of deterioration, and the general significance of historic roofs.

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Cultural Resource Office, Joint Base San Antonio

Contributor(s): Michael Auer; Reed Engle; John Ingle; Martin Obando; Peter Sandbeck

Repository(s): Fort Sam Houston

Prepared By(s): Technical Preservation Services, Heritage Preservation Services Program, National Park Service

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