Uncovering the Beauty of Embossed Metal Shingles
I know, I know – when you think of roof renovation, your mind probably jumps straight to the dreaded chore of replacing those old, worn-out asphalt shingles. But what if I told you there’s a way to breathe new life into your roofing and preserve a little piece of history in the process? Let me tell you about our journey of restoring the original embossed metal shingles on our 1915 American Foursquare home.
You see, when my husband and I bought our old house, the roof was definitely a top priority. The main part of the house still had its original embossed metal shingles, but the porch roof had been replaced with those all-too-common asphalt shingles. As we quickly learned, those embossed metal shingles were not only gorgeous, but they were also incredibly durable – they had been holding strong for over 100 years! Meanwhile, the asphalt shingles on the porch were already shot.
Now, I’ll admit, the thought of tackling a roof restoration project was a bit daunting at first. But once we saw those beautiful, historic shingles up close, we knew we had to find a way to save them. And let me tell you, it was so worth it. The subtle, glossy finish and the gorgeous green color of the restored roof makes my heart sing every time I look at it. Not to mention, the fact that we were able to match the porch roof to the main house? Perfection.
Navigating the Restoration Process
So, how exactly did we go about restoring our embossed metal shingles? Well, it was a bit of a process, but I’m happy to share the details so you can see if it might be the right project for your own roof renovation.
The first step was to determine the size and pattern of our existing shingles. Embossed metal shingles came in a variety of different designs, and the size often corresponded to the scale of the roof. Luckily, our shingles had a fairly common pattern, so we were able to find a new product that was a near-perfect match.
We ended up going with the Berridge Victorian embossed shingles, which were pre-primed and ready to install. The quality was fantastic, and the color was almost an exact match to the original. Now, I know what you’re thinking – this must have cost an arm and a leg, right? Well, surprisingly, it was only slightly more expensive than a full roof replacement, and the tradeoff is that these shingles will likely last us the rest of our lives. We’re playing the long game, and that’s an incredible cost savings in the end.
The next step was the restoration of the original roof. This involved a few key steps:
- Power washing the existing shingles to remove any dirt, debris, or old coatings.
- Applying a primer coat to the cleaned shingles to help the new coating adhere.
- Painting the shingles with a high-quality exterior paint in a color that matched the original as closely as possible.
It was a bit of a labor-intensive process, but the results were absolutely stunning. The subtle variation in the shingles, the slightly glossy finish, and that gorgeous deep green color really made the whole house come alive.
The Rewards of Restoration
As I mentioned, I was a bit nervous about tackling this project at first. After all, roof work is no joke, and the idea of messing with the original materials on our historic home was a bit daunting. But you know what? It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve made.
Not only do we now have a roof that’s built to last, but we were also able to preserve an important piece of our home’s history. Those embossed metal shingles have been protecting this house for over a century, and I’m thrilled that we get to be the ones to carry on that legacy.
And the best part? Our neighbors love it too! Our next-door neighbor actually told us that she sits in her home office just admiring our roof. Can you believe that? I guess good taste is contagious, huh?
Embracing the Unique
Now, I know that roof restoration might not be for everyone. It’s definitely a bit more involved than a standard roof replacement, and it does come with a slightly higher price tag. But if you’re the kind of person who loves preserving history and embracing the unique, it might just be the perfect project for you.
I’ve talked to so many fellow old-house enthusiasts who have had amazing experiences with restoring their original roofing materials. And you know what? Each one of their stories is different, full of its own challenges and triumphs. That’s the beauty of this kind of work – it’s not just about the end result, but the journey you take to get there.
So, if you’re sitting there looking at your own aging roof and wondering if there might be a way to breathe new life into it, I encourage you to do your research, explore your options, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. You never know – you might just uncover a hidden gem that’s been waiting to shine all along.