Project Overview
Master Roofers was honored to work on a beautiful heritage
estate in Gloucester, Massachusetts. This historic property includes a main
residence, a guest house, and what was once a carriage house, now converted
into a garage. The home was originally constructed with slate and copper
roofing, and the owners had been Master Roofers customers for years, relying on
our specialized expertise to maintain this unique system.
The Customer's Challenge
The homeowner, planning a large addition to the main house
in the form of a sunroom, faced two main challenges. First, the new roof had to
physically tie into the original slate and copper roofing structure. Second, it
needed to aesthetically match the original materials to preserve the historic
look of the home.
Given the age of the property and the materials involved,
finding matching slate and copper elements was no simple task. The homeowners
also had high expectations, wanting the addition to look as though it had
always been part of the house.
Project Planning and Strategy
Master Roofers had the advantage of already being familiar
with the home, having completed multiple maintenance projects there over the
years. Our team collaborated directly with the homeowner and their general
contractor, carefully planning timelines and construction phases to ensure the
new roofing system would blend perfectly with the existing one.
One of the key elements of this project was sourcing
historically accurate slate. The original roof featured a dark gray slate
common to homes from the early 1900s. Rather than use new slate, which would
look too crisp and modern, we sourced salvaged slate from the same era. This
material had naturally aged edges and a soft patina that made it nearly
indistinguishable from the existing roof. We created sample boards to present
options, and the homeowner was thrilled with the match.
On the copper side, we used an acid-based patina treatment
to ensure that new copper flashing and trim would match the weathered look of
the original elements. This eliminated the need to wait years for the bright
copper to dull and age naturally.
Installation and Execution
Since this was a new construction addition, we encountered
few surprises during installation. Most of our work centered on scheduling and
coordinating with other trades. The framing needed to be completed before our
roofing phase could begin, and close communication was essential to keep the
project on track.
Because of the trust we had already established with the
homeowner, they were confident in our craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Our priority was delivering a seamless integration between old and new, both
functionally and visually.
Final Result
The homeowner was absolutely delighted with the final
result. She remarked that the new sunroom and roof looked as if they had been
part of the house from the very beginning. That feedback was the highest
compliment we could receive.
Thanks to period-matched slate, custom patina work, and
thoughtful coordination, the new roof blends flawlessly into this historic
estate. The project reflects our deep commitment to preserving architectural
character while delivering modern performance and longevity.
Conclusion
This Gloucester project showcases Master Roofers' rare
capability to work with legacy materials like slate and copper while meeting
the high expectations of preservation-minded homeowners. With expert
craftsmanship and a tailored approach, we helped ensure this estate continues
to stand strong and beautiful for generations to come.
To learn more about Master Roofers, visit masterroofers.com or
call (603) 623 4973.