[MassHistPres] Slate Roof Substitution Materials

[rcsmitharch at verizon.net]

One important consideration is the present status of the roof.  For most historical commissions removal of a slate roof and replacement with something like asphalt shingles is a pretty heavy lift.  On Google Maps street view it appears that the church roof may be asphalt shingles, but the resolution of the easily found photos does not make it quite clear.  Replacement of a replacement material, however, is a different discussion from replacement of historic materials.  In Swampscott replacement of asphalt shingles with asphalt shingles would usually be accepted, at least for homeowners.  What we have never seen is an application to replace replacement materials with closer mimics of historic materials.  

 

What is being proposed here?

 

Richard Smith

Swampscott Historical Commission

 

From: MassHistPres <masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> On Behalf Of Betty Slade via MassHistPres
Sent: Thursday, March 28, 2024 12:38 PM
To: oldemohawkinc at gmail.com; jmarkland at lmstrategies.com
Cc: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu
Subject: Re: [MassHistPres] Slate Roof Substitution Materials

 

Ward Hamilton advised the Community Preservation Commission on the slate roof of the Westport Town Hall.  We highly recommend him.

 

Betty Slade, Westport, CPC chair

 

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In a message dated 3/28/2024 12:14:08 PM Eastern Daylight Time, masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu>  writes: 

 

An historically-appropriate treatment plan would require replacement in kind: Existing real slate replaced by new real slate. When would it be appropriate to consider alternative materials? When appropriate materials are not available. Roofing slate is available. 

 

Is the applicant claiming a financial hardship exists? Unless and until bona-fide proposals illustrating the cost difference between real slate and an inferior artifical slate (i.e., EcoStar Majestic) there is no reason to consider alternative materials.

 

Most folks are unaware that the cost of real Vermont slate and EcoStar Majestic materials are about the same. The skilled labor is the primary cost driver. The alleged savings associated with fake slate is that the contractor will supposedly charge less because it's not as heavy as the real deal.

 

On a large scale project such as First Congregational Church in Waltham, the difference between the two might be 8 to 10%.

 




Ward Hamilton

OLDE MOHAWK HISTORIC PRESERVATION 
Slate Roofing | Masonry | Architectural Woodwork 
877.622.8973                                  OldeMohawk.com <http://OldeMohawk.com> 

 

On Thu, Mar 28, 2024, 11:49 AM Judy Markland via MassHistPres <masshistpres at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres at cs.umb.edu> > wrote:

Whately would be interested as well and would appreciate any comparative cost information.

Judy Markland, Whately Historical Commission.

 

On 3/28/2024 10:51 AM, Malley, Rachel via MassHistPres wrote:

Hello Everyone,

 

I’m the new office assistant for the Waltham Historical Commission. How wonderful to have this network of knowledgeable people to learn from!

 

We have an inquiry from a local church that would like to have the roof replaced. The chairman of our commission would like to know if any other materials besides the original slate would be acceptable for historic restoration. 

 

This is the church: https://s3.amazonaws.com/NARAprodstorage/opastorage/live/85/7918/63791885/content/electronic-records/rg-079/NPS_MA/89001548.pdf

 

Thank you!

 

Rachel Malley, Administrative Assistant

City of Waltham

Historical Commission

119 School Street, Room 24

Waltham, MA  02451

781-314-3389

 

 

 

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