Historic homes deserve roofs built the way they were.
Historic roof restoration in Boston. Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Cambridge. Period-correct slate, copper, and chimney work. Registry-eligible. Licensed & insured.
The work older Boston homes were built to need
A 1898 brownstone wasn’t designed for asphalt shingles. The framing was specified for slate weight, the chimneys for copper-clad flashing, the gutters for half-round copper conductor heads. When that roof finally needs work, putting modern asphalt on it is the wrong answer twice — historically wrong and structurally wrong.
We do the work the way the architects originally specified: natural slate or properly-weighted synthetic, copper flashing and copper gutters, on framing we’ve assessed for capacity. Where the original lead-coated copper has failed, we replace with bare copper that ages into the same patina over a decade. Where mortar joints have failed in chimneys, we re-point with lime-cement mortar matched to the era. If your home is on the National Register or in a local historic district, we know what you can do and what triggers review.
More than slate and copper
Church & religious buildings
Greater historical significance, rarer original materials, and the congregation’s own preservation requirements — all held at once. We treat these buildings like the landmarks they are.
Victorian & decorative detailing
Where roofing turns ornamental — slate laid in patterns, capped ridges, intricate copperwork. We match the original pattern and hand-form the detailing rather than flatten it.
The detail work underneath
Ridge cap restoration, dormer refinishing, soffit repairs, and period-specific half-round gutters and conductor heads. Where framing has aged under slate weight, we reinforce before re-laying.
How a restoration runs
Historic documentation
We photograph the existing roof at every detail before we touch it — original slate pattern, flashing geometry, chimney profiles — all documented for the record.
Period-material research
Quarry source for matching slate, era-appropriate mortar mix, copper gauge matched to the original conductor heads, period-correct fastening method.
Historic commission liaison
We prepare and submit historic district commission applications where required, walk the inspector through the scope, and handle the back-and-forth.
Period-correct installation
Hand-laid slate matching the original pattern. Copper flashings hand-formed on-site. Mortar joints struck to match. Detail for detail.
Restoration binder
A full photo record before, during, and after, material spec documented, and warranty terms in writing — a document set your home keeps.
Licensed & Insured · MA Construction Supervisor · MHIC Registered
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What makes historic roof restoration different from a regular re-roof?
An older Boston home was specified for specific materials and weights — slate over sized framing, copper-clad flashing, half-round copper gutters. Restoration means working in those original materials with period-accurate methods and within preservation guidelines, so the roof reads the way the architect drew it. A regular re-roof swaps all of that for modern shingle and erases the building's character. The two jobs aren't the same craft.
How do you handle Boston's historic preservation requirements?
We work directly with local historical commissions and preservation boards, and with the Massachusetts Historical Commission where the property warrants it. We know what triggers a review and what passes without one, and we prepare the applications, material documentation, and methods so the work clears approval. The paperwork is part of the job, not an afterthought.
Can you restore a Victorian-era roof with its original materials?
Yes. Victorian restoration is one of our specialties — slate replacement matched to the original pattern, decorative ridge cap restoration, and the intricate copperwork these homes were built with. We source materials that blend with what's already there so the ornamental detailing is preserved rather than flattened.
Do you restore church and religious-building roofs?
We do. Church roof restoration carries its own demands — the historical significance, the original materials, and the religious-preservation requirements all have to be respected at once. We treat these buildings accordingly, preserving their original character while restoring real weather protection.
What's involved in restoring an old house roof?
Old houses usually need more than slate. The framing may need reinforcing for the load it was designed to carry, rare or discontinued materials have to be sourced and matched, and modern waterproofing has to go in without changing the original look. Ridge cap restoration, dormer refinishing, and soffit repairs are frequently part of the same scope.
How do I know if my historic roof needs full restoration instead of repairs?
Widespread slate damage, deteriorating flashing, or a failing drainage system are the signs a patch won't hold. When the problems are spread across the roof rather than isolated to one area, a comprehensive restoration is usually the honest answer over piecemeal repairs. We'll tell you which one your roof actually needs after we've walked it.
Schedule Your Assessment
The owner walks every roof — including yours.
Free, no obligation. We'll tell you honestly whether the work is needed now, in five years, or never.
or call 617-913-1130 — available 24/7 for emergencies
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