 oofs on historic houses in Charleston usually are covered with one of three materials: slate,
terra cotta or standing seam metal. Roof shapes can be gabled (most common), hipped or flat,
with each having several subtypes. The shape of your roof and the watertight material that
rests upon the roof framing have a dominant effect on the overall architecture of your house.
 Common roof framing systems
Chimneys were a necessity in the days before central heating. They provided ventilation for the
smoke generated by cooking and warming fires and were a standard feature of American houses until
the mid-20th century. Many Charleston chimneys became redundant with the advent of central heating.
However, even these redundant chimneys should remain on their houses since they are an important
character-defining element. If you have a working fireplace and chimney, make sure that it is inspected annually.
Guidelines To Keep In Mind With Roofs And Chimneys
- Slate and terra cotta can be found to match and repair existing slate and terra cotta roofs. These two roof systems should not be coated with a waterproof coating.
- Repair existing standing seam metal roofs with new metal and paint, or apply an appropriate waterproof coating material. Copper standing seam metal roofs need not be painted.
- Asphalt shingle roofing and V-crimp roofing are generally unacceptable for historic houses.
Additional Resources
Preservation Brief #4, "Roofing for Historic Buildings" by Sarah M. Sweetser
Preservation Brief #29, "The Repair, Replacement and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs" by Jeffrey S. Levine
Preservation Brief #30, "The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs" by Anne E.Grimmer and Paul K. Williams
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