Old Saltbox House Roofing Style
Roofs are an important piece of your home and leave an impression on guests and anyone who passes by. Over time, houses may need a roof replacement, especially if your roof is historical or historically inspired.
If you live on the East Coast, from New England to Florida, you may notice unique saltbox houses. Saltbox houses are historic homes dating back to colonial America. If your home has an old saltbox-style roof that needs replacing, a custom roof can increase your safety and property value while paying homage to the traditional saltbox-style roof.
What Roofing Materials to Use for an Old Saltbox-Style Roof?
Several materials can create a durable roof to replace your old saltbox house roof. Some of the most common old saltbox house roofing materials include wood shakes and shingles. Both materials can keep the historical aesthetic to your saltbox home when it's time to replace the roof.
The first saltbox houses had roofs made from wood. Using wood materials gives a home a beautiful, timeless feature and keeps the charm of the original saltbox-style roofs. Additionally, wood roof materials are more durable and energy-efficient than other materials. When you replace your saltbox-style roof, you will have a roof that can last for generations. Wood shingles are smooth, thin and have a uniform look to help create a crisp appearance when put together.
On the other hand, wood shakes are hand-split on one side, making them thick with a rough texture and finish. Compared to shingles, shakes lack a uniform appearance when assembled. Whether you prefer uniformity or want a unique styled roof, using wood shingles or shakes for your saltbox roof replacement is a popular choice.
What Does a Saltbox Roof Look Like?
A saltbox roof is a steeply pitched roof with unequal sides. One part of the roof is sloped at an angle to cover both the first and second story of the home, making the top asymmetrical. When settlers first created the saltbox roof style, the design's primary purpose was to remove snow off the roof instead of letting it become a heavy burden. The angle of the roof causes snow to easily slide off as it melts.
Old Saltbox House Roof Replacement
When you plan to replace the roof on a historic home, it's vital to find installers with experience in historical roof installations to achieve a beautiful rooftop while maintaining the integrity of the home's history. Professional roof installers have the necessary skills and training to access a saltbox roof for proper installation safely.
What Is a Saltbox House?
A saltbox house is a two-story home with an asymmetrical, pitched roof. The house style got its name from its resemblance to the boxes colonists kept their salt in during the 17th century. Though the structure of a saltbox house is relatively simple, it became a popular architectural design throughout the New England states during the 1600s. Now, you can find saltbox homes and saltbox-style roofs all over the country.
History of Saltbox House
While people initially built saltbox houses for their roof's practicality, some stories relate the growth of their popularity to a tax Queen Anne instilled on homes with more than one story in the 1600s. Though saltbox homes typically had two levels in the front, the back was one story. The structural design of having a single story in the back helped those with saltbox homes avoid taxation.
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