Friday, August 24, 2012

A New Roof


Well, after much anticipation, and an official state bidding process, the new roof project has begun on the Keith House.


The existing oak shingle roof was put on in 1989 (to replace the first roof the state put on the house back in the 1960s) and was really starting to show its age - both in the warped, curling shingles and in the fact that we had numerous leaks up on the third floor. Back at the very beginning of January a temporary rubber roof was installed to help protect the interior plaster from additional water damage through the winter and spring and we were told that the temporary roof could actually last for several years - we're very glad we don't have to test that out and the project is moving forward as planned.


Using a lift truck, Ressler Construction, out of Brownstown, Pennsylvania, is replacing the existing oak shingles with cedar, a material that will be longer lasting and is also most likely closer to the historic original. Rather than tearing off all of the old material before beginning the replacement, they're working a little at a time to remove and replace shingles. Each tapered shingle is individually nailed to the purlins, which span the rafters, and the shingles overlap so that only about 1/4-1/3 of the 24" length is revealed. The two man crew began work on Tuesday, August 21 and by Friday morning were about a third of the way done with the lower slope on the south side of the house, as seen above. By lunch, they had progressed to the point below:



What can't be conveyed via the internet is the wonderful smell of the new material - if you happen to be in the neighborhood of Graeme Park, stop in and see the progress and take a deep breath while standing in front of the house. We may have white-faced hornets, imperial moth caterpillars, hummingbird moths and walnut twig beetles on the property, but we certainly shouldn't have moths in the attic of the Keith House.

14 comments:

  1. I’m glad that there are people who are dedicated to the renovation of old structures like this. I’m sure that the Keith House would look as majestic as before once the renovations are done. Good move on the cedar roof. It looks a lot like the original roof, but it is also durable. It resists insects and UV rays naturally. It can also withstand harsh weather conditions like hail and heavy storms.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The roof replacement seems to be turning out pretty well! I’m glad you chose cedar for your roofing material. It’s definitely a good replacement for the old oak shingles. One of the biggest advantages of having a cedar roof is that it provides superior insulation. So you won’t have to worry about finding a way to have good air circulation at home, and it will save you a lot on your air conditioning bills.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahah, if only we had air conditioning. The thick stone keeps things pretty cool anyway though.

      Delete
  3. Good point, Rodney! In addition, a cedar roof is durable enough to resist decay from insect damage, and damage from the sun’s UV rays. It can also withstand hail and heavy storms. Cedar roofs pay for itself because of its long lifespan of 20-50 years. In additions, cedar also contains natural oils which prevent rot, and allows more airflow around the shingles which prevents mold from thriving.

    Norbert Floth

    ReplyDelete
  4. Is the replacement all done by now? I can see the great progress you had, and I can foresee a great finish once the project is done. Choosing cedar for your roof is a brilliant decision as they are very durable, and highly resistant against UV and storm damages. It has very distinct features, and its visual appeal is magnificent as always. Even though I haven’t seen the complete replacement yet, I’d like to congratulate all of you for the success of this roof project.

    Sierra Nordgren

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for checking in. They're still working on the roof and I'll be updating the progress weekly. Should be a few more weeks before they finish.

      Delete
    2. I assume, the contractors are finished remodeling your roof, Graeme. :) Your commenters were right. Cedar roof is a wise choice. Keep your newly remodeled roof free of debris to allow proper ventilation. Also, make sure that the gutters and downspouts are cleaned regularly.

      Delete
  5. Good choice, Graeme. Cedar is one of the more excellent insulating materials. This type of roof reduces heating and cooling costs of one's house more efficiently than a metal or asphalt roof would. Moreover, cedar shingles also have a high resistance against strong winds, and what's more interesting is that they do not add excessive weight to the structure of the home. I once read on a magazine that some industries are trying to mimic the appearance of cedar with metal - not bad for an experiment. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Interesting about the weight. We chose wood shingles because that is what was on the house historically.

      Delete
    2. Well, that's one good reason, Graeme. Everything that Will mentioned about cedar roofs were correct. Most people choose cedar shingles because they repel bugs that create holes on the roof. Cedar shingles CANNOT be damaged by bugs. I guess, that explains your roof history. :)

      Delete
  6. Replacing the existing oak shingles with cedar was a great choice! For me, cedar shingles really complements the structure that the Keith House has. I personally think that when people view that house from a distance, they would really admire it. I'm sure that the roof replacement turned out great!

    ReplyDelete
  7. The cedar shingles look elegant! They give the house that historic ambiance. Just by looking at the photo, I can say that the Keith House is an important element of Pennsylvania’s history and culture. And of course, let’s not forget the functional value of these shingles. This is something that you can show to tourists and even locals! By the way, how’s the construction coming? I hope everything’s going smoothly. I can’t wait to see how it looks when it’s finished!

    ReplyDelete
  8. History is important to us. However, they say that the winners are the ones making history. It’s nice to see that you are preserving the house. By using the same materials the house has will make people see the house just as it’s built. People who will visit the house can feel for themselves how living there would be a great experience for them.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Those were lovely shingles you have just installed. Great choice! It complements the color of your wall. It seems to me that you have made inconspicuous changes on the facade. With that, you showed how you value your ancestors and their works. Kudos!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...