Historic Homes
Historic Homes | Roofing | Sewanee
Nestled on the Cumberland Plateau, Sewanee’s storied residences deserve protection that honors their past while preparing them for the next hundred Southern summers and ice-dusted winters. HEP pairs traditional craftsmanship with discreetly modern technology to deliver roofing that preserves original lines, colors, and textures—whether your historic home was crowned with slate, cedar shake, or hand-formed metal. Our artisans study each property’s architectural vocabulary, then source period-appropriate materials that meet today’s performance standards without compromising authenticity.
From steep gables overlooking the Domain to cozy cottages tucked beneath oak canopies, we treat every project as a chapter in Sewanee’s living history. Detailed inspections, custom fabrication, and respectful installation keep moisture, wind, and UV at bay, safeguarding heirloom plaster and heart-pine floors below. With HEP, stewardship becomes simple: one call, one crew, generations of confidence in your home’s most important shield.
FAQs
What roofing materials are best suited for Sewanee’s historic homes?
For Sewanee’s historic residences—many of which date to the late-19th and early-20th centuries—the most commonly approved materials are natural slate, cedar shake, standing-seam metal, and historically accurate architectural shingles. These options echo original roof profiles, handle the Plateau’s freeze–thaw cycles, and satisfy the University’s and Franklin County’s historic guidelines.
Will replacing my roof affect my home’s historic status or tax incentives?
Not if the work follows preservation rules. The Sewanee Village Overlay, the Tennessee Historical Commission, and any applicable National Register covenants require ‘in-kind’ replacement—matching size, color, texture, and installation method. Staying compliant keeps your home’s contributing status intact and maintains any local or federal historic tax credits you currently claim or could apply for in the future.
Do I need a special permit to work on a historic roof in Sewanee?
Yes. In addition to a standard building permit from Franklin County, projects in Sewanee’s historic districts must obtain a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) from the local Historic Zoning Commission. This review ensures material choice, flashing details, and roof pitch match the original design. We handle the COA paperwork and present sample boards at the commission meeting on your behalf.
How does Sewanee’s mountain climate influence roof design and maintenance?
The Cumberland Plateau’s rapid weather swings—heavy rain, high UV exposure, and frequent freeze–thaw cycles—can stress historic roofs. We recommend breathable underlayments, high-temperature ice-and-water shield in valleys, and copper flashing to resist expansion cracking. Annual inspections after leaf drop help spot slipped slate, moss buildup, or oxidized fasteners before they lead to interior moisture damage.
Can modern energy-efficient upgrades be integrated without compromising authenticity?
Absolutely. We discreetly add ridge vents beneath matching slate or metal caps, install low-profile solar fan vents on rear roof planes, and use insulation baffles so foam or cellulose can be added from the attic side, leaving visible historic rafters untouched. These measures cut utility bills up to 20 % while preserving the roof’s period appearance.
What warranties and maintenance plans do you offer for historic roofs?
Slate and copper projects receive a 50-year material warranty and a 10-year workmanship guarantee; cedar shake and architectural shingle roofs come with 30-year and 5-year coverage respectively. Our Historic Roof Care Plan includes semi-annual inspections, gutter cleaning, minor slate renailing, and lightning protection checks to extend service life and document maintenance for insurance or preservation records.