Richard Moe of the National Trust for Historical Preservation once said: “Preservation is simply having the good sense to hold on to things that are well designed, that link us with our past in a meaningful way, and that have plenty of good use left in them.”
In today’s blog post, we will be discussing a beautiful yet challenging historic home in Croton-on-Hudson. When our client contacted us for his gutter and roofing needs, we were thrilled. It is not every day that a company gets the privilege to work with a home built 100 years ago. Working with a historic home requires a different methodology than the modern home. There are certain challenges that you wouldn’t face in a more recently built home.
Let’s start with the roof replacement. Here at Gunner, we are committed to giving our clients the very best, which is why we always use top-of-the-line products. We used Timberline HDZ asphalt shingles in a rich charcoal color to revive every square foot of this roof. We were able to adjust a low slope section pitch and add a mini porch roof. The house had insulation as drywall, which gave us a slim to no space for error. Any screw that went in incorrectly could have devastating effects. This is where our team’s attention to detail really came into play. Instead of using standard 1½-inch coil roof nails for the layer of shingles, we used custom one-inch nails. (Whew! Good thing the homeowner went with a professional roofing contractor.)
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
The finished roof with drip edging really enhanced this vintage home’s natural beauty.
The roof installation itself presented its own challenges, but nothing proved to be more difficult than adding gutters to the home. Rain gutters are more than just an appealing addition to your home. They actually play an important role in preventing water damage to the home and property. Gutters deflect water away from your home; without them, you face the very real risk of foundation damage and/or basement flooding.
Although the client had wanted gutters for a long time, he was unsure of how much of a possibility they were. Adding gutters to this particular home required thinking outside the box; this style of home was not originally built with the intention of adding gutters. The windows were framed, the brackets sat too low, and any gutter attempt resulted in open windows hitting the gutters. The sides were made of stucco. The angled roof also did not allow for regular elbow gutters to be used. As you can tell, there were a lot of elements working against us in our quest to fulfill this client’s desire to have gutters.
Our project manager, Anthony, was new to the team at this point, and determined to satisfy the client and prove himself to the company. To ensure client satisfaction, he went door-to-door to discuss gutters with the client’s neighbors. This was no small task, but he wanted to deliver on his promise to the homeowner. After talking with most of the neighborhood, he was able to narrow down some options for this historic home. He compiled lists of issues the neighbors had, and which gutters they were most happy with. (Well done, Anthony!) After ordering and trying out several options, it was decided that half-round copper gutters would be the best option for this home. Half-round copper gutters would allow the team the flexibility to customize the gutters to the home because of their soldering ability.
Copper gutters are known for their longevity and aesthetically pleasing appearance. An interesting fact about copper is that it is naturally produced and fully sustainable. New copper gutters are made from 70%-100% recycled copper. Although, up front, copper gutters might seem like an extravagant investment for the home, they pay off in the long run.
GAF Asphalt Shingle Replacement
Croton-On-Hudson, NY
It was a tedious and complicated project. However, all the team’s hard work paid off. The finished product – with its GAF asphalt shingled, charcoal-colored roof and half-round copper gutters – is absolutely stunning. What started out as a dream ultimately became this homeowner’s reality. The finished product helped restore this historic home, protect it from future damage, and deliver a touch of elegance.
At Gunner, we welcome every challenge as an opportunity to do the impossible, from Connecticut siding projects to New Jersey window work to New York roof replacements (no matter the type of roofing materials or roofing system). We are so grateful for all our clients for allowing us to help them achieve their dream home. To learn more about siding, windows, roofing, gutters, and the services we offer, please feel free to give us a call today.
City: Croton-On-Hudson
State: New York
ZIP: 10520
Category: Roofing
Materials used (manufacturer): GAF
Materials used (type): Timberline HDZ Asphalt Shingles
Materials used (color): Charcoal
Project Cost: $20,000
Time to Complete: Five days