KANSAS CITY, KAN. – For preservationist across the country challenged with recreating natural slate and shake roofs for historical projects, the answers come in the form of man-made polymer roofing tiles. More durable than natural products, polymer roofing tiles resist fire, impact, high winds and the punishing weather conditions of Mother Nature.
“Often times historical sites hold onto their original roofs as long as possible thinking they’re staying ‘true’ to the structure,” says Ray Rosewall, president and CEO of DaVinci Roofscapes®. “That can be a mistake. As natural slate and shake products age, they break down and are no longer able to protect the building. This can increase the risk of damage to the structure or even susceptibility to fire.
After a proud history that includes serving as a horse stable during the 1893 World’s Fair, the Roundhouse at DuSable Museum in Chicago has now been restored. Originally built in the early 19th century, the structure’s round shape is made of Joliet limestone and is now topped by a DaVinci Roofscapes polymer slate roof.
Part of the first African American museum campus in the United States, the 66,000-square foot Roundhouse and the adjoining buildings are home to a library, caf?, galleries, technology and language lab, museum store and educational spaces. The building is considered one of the main contributing features to the recognition of Washington Park when it was designated in 2004 on the National Register of Historic Places.
When a fire destroyed the historic Olde Liberty Station restaurant in Bedford, Virginia in September of 2009, owner Harry Leist vowed to rebuild. Just five months later the popular restaurant reopened its doors — with a new roof overhead and a long line of waiting customers.
One of the significant changes made was to install Bellaforté polymer slate tiles on the roof of the now 107-year-old building. The original rail station had heavy slate tiles on the roof. Sometime during the life of the rail station, those tiles had been replaced with contemporary shingles.
In Durango, Colo., the milled wood roof shingles on the historic 1880s Peterson House were so worn by time and weather that they had simply crumbled apart. As part of ongoing restoration efforts of the historic structure in 2011, the team at Animas Museum turned to experts at DaVinci Roofscapes to provide a polymer roof that would replicate the look of the original roof.
“The mission at our museum is to keep La Plata County history and culture alive for present and future generations,” says Carolyn Bowra, director of Animas Museum. “DaVinci has certainly supported this effort and made it possible for the Peterson House to have a new life.
In Charleston, S.C., the Rivers Education Center has been targeted for restoration and reuse. Originally the site of the Royal Bag and Yarn Manufacturing Company beginning in 1900, the masonry building had served as a school since 1938. After closing in 2005, the school lay dormant for years. Thanks to rededicated efforts to preserve historic sites, the building should be renovated and ready for new classes in 2012.
“The old slate roof did not meet current seismic and wind code requirements,” says Paul Ferrari, architect with Davis & Floyd, Inc. “Charleston is susceptible to earthquakes and hurricanes, so we need a roof on the Rivers Education Center that meets the newest building code requirements. Our search for a similar looking tile roof led us to the Bellaforté polymer roof in Slate Gray from DaVinci Roofscapes. This roof is a great looking alternative to real slate and was accepted by the City of Charleston Commercial Corridor Design Review Board.