Historic Roof Restoration in NJ & PA
Your Historic Home Is In Good Hands
From century-old slate roofs to hand-split cedar shakes and decorative copper work, historic homes demand roofing expertise most contractors don’t have. Excel Roofing & Siding specializes in restoring and preserving roofs on Victorian, Colonial, and Tudor homes throughout South Jersey and Greater Philadelphia. We match original materials, honor period details, and protect your home’s architectural history!
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Certified Historic Restoration Specialists
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Period-Accurate Material Matching
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Historic District Compliance
Get Started on Your Project Today!
Our Approach to Historic Roofing
Preservation-Quality Craftsmanship
Historic roofs feature details that don’t exist on modern homes—decorative slate patterns, hand-formed copper gutters, and intricate flashing around turrets and dormers. Our team documents your existing roof before work begins, matching materials by color, texture, and installation pattern so repairs blend seamlessly with the original. Whether we’re replacing damaged slates sourced from the same quarry or replicating century-old metalwork, the finished result honors your home’s craftsmanship.
Completed Roofing Projects
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Why Historic Roof Restoration Requires Specialized Expertise
Restoring a historic roof isn’t the same as replacing a modern shingle roof. Historic homes present challenges that require specialized knowledge and techniques most roofing contractors aren’t equipped to handle.
Material Sourcing & Matching
Original roofing materials like Pennsylvania slate, Atlantic white cedar, or standing seam copper must be matched precisely in color, texture, thickness, and installation pattern. We maintain relationships with quarries, salvage suppliers, and specialty manufacturers to source authentic materials that blend seamlessly with your existing roof.
Structural Considerations
Many historic roofs were built with materials significantly heavier than modern alternatives. Slate roofs, for example, can weigh 800 to 1,500 pounds per square. Before any restoration work begins, we assess your roof deck, rafters, and supporting structure to ensure they can handle the load or recommend appropriate reinforcement.
Preservation Compliance
If your home is in a historic district or listed on the National Register of Historic Places, your roof restoration may need to meet specific guidelines. We work with local historic commissions and understand the documentation requirements for approved restorations in communities like Haddonfield, Moorestown, and Chestnut Hill.
Period-Appropriate Techniques
Historic roofs weren’t installed with nail guns and synthetic underlayments. We use traditional installation methods where appropriate, including hand-nailing slate, proper copper soldering techniques, and historically accurate flashing details to maintain authenticity while ensuring long-term performance.
Historic Roofing Materials We Restore & Install
Authentic Materials for Accurate Roof Restorations
Slate Roofing
Slate roofing is a premium, long-lasting option, known for its natural beauty and exceptional durability. This fire-resistant material is resistant to extreme weather conditions and can last over 100 years with proper care. Slate provides a sophisticated look while offering unmatched protection and longevity.
- Natural Aesthetics
- Sustainable and Durable
We understand the differences between soft slates (40-75 year lifespan) and hard slates (75-200 years), and can assess whether your existing slate has remaining service life or requires replacement.
Cedar Shake & Shingle Roofing
Cedar roofing offers natural beauty and exceptional performance. Known for its rich color and unique texture, cedar shingles or shakes provide strong insulation, resist moisture and insects, and can last decades with proper care, adding timeless appeal to any home.
- Energy Efficiency
- Environmentally Friendly
Cedar roofs on historic homes require proper ventilation and maintenance to achieve their full 30-50 year lifespan. We assess your roof structure and recommend any modifications needed to protect your investment.
Historic Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is a durable, energy-efficient option. Available in a variety of styles and colors, metal roofs are resistant to extreme weather, fire, and corrosion. With an estimated lifespan of 50 years, they require minimal maintenance and provide long-term value for homeowners.
- Long-Lasting and Durable
- Weather Resistant
Metal roofing has been used on American buildings since the 1700s, with copper and lead appearing on the earliest structures, followed by tin-plated iron and later galvanized steel. Standing seam metal roofs became popular on Victorian-era homes and remain a hallmark of historic architecture throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.
Clay & Concrete Tile Roofing
Tile roofing offers a timeless and durable solution for residential homes. Known for its classic beauty and fire-resistant properties, tile roofs can withstand extreme weather and are available in a variety of styles and colors. With proper care, tile roofs can last over 50 years, providing long-lasting protection and elegance.
- Fire and Weather Resistant
- Timeless, Elegant Look
Tile roof restoration presents unique challenges due to the weight of the materials and the difficulty of sourcing matching replacements. We work with specialty tile suppliers and salvage sources to find compatible tiles for repairs, and can coordinate custom fabrication when original profiles are no longer available.
Synthetic Alternatives for Historic Homes
Synthetic roofing materials offer the look of natural products like wood or slate, with enhanced durability and lower maintenance. Made from high-quality plastics and rubbers, synthetic roofs are lightweight, weather-resistant, and can last 50 years or more. They’re also eco-friendly and energy-efficient, making them a smart choice for modern homes.
- Lightweight and Durable
- High Impact Resistance
For homes in historic districts, we can help you navigate approval processes for synthetic materials, providing documentation and samples to demonstrate visual compatibility with neighboring historic properties.
Asphalt Roofing
Asphalt roofing is a popular choice for residential roofing due to its affordability, durability, and style options. It provides strong protection against weather, is easy to install and maintain, and can last up to 30 years with proper care, offering long-term value for homeowners.
- Long-Lasting and Durable
- Low Maintenance
While not historically authentic, modern architectural asphalt shingles can be an appropriate choice for historic homes when original materials have already been replaced or when budget considerations require a practical alternative.
Our Process
Here For You At Every Step
Step 1
Contact Our Team
Fill out our contact form with your information to get in touch with our team. We’ll get back to you quickly and schedule an inspection.
Step 2
Detailed Inspection
We’ll perform a detailed inspection at your earliest convenience, checking for signs of damage and deterioration to your property’s exterior.
Step 3
Get Your Complimentary Estimate
Our project's estimates are detailed, clear, and free of charge! We’ll go over your estimate together and help you decide what comes next.
Step 4
Begin Project
Let’s get to work! We’ll complete your project in a timely manner, so that you can get back to what matters most to you.
Step 5
Final Check In
Before we leave, we’ll make sure that we dot all our i’s and cross our t’s. You can count on us for a properly installed roof, and a clean space when we leave.
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Proudly Serving Our Community
Historic Roofing in South Jersey & Greater Philly
The Delaware Valley is home to some of the finest collections of historic architecture in the United States. 18th-century Colonial homes to grand Victorian estates and early 20th-century bungalows. Excel Roofing & Siding provides historic roof restoration services throughout this historically rich region. Whether your home is individually listed, located within a designated historic district, or simply deserves preservation-quality care, we bring the same level of expertise and attention to every project.
Ready to Restore Your Historic Roof?
Schedule a consultation with South Jersey's historic roofing specialists.
Why Trust Excel With Your Historic Roof
We’re fully licensed and insured in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with hands-on experience navigating historic district requirements and preservation guidelines. Our contractors are trained in traditional techniques such as slate installation, copper soldering, proper wood shake application just to name a few. We maintain relationships with specialty suppliers and salvage sources to find the right materials for your roofing project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Information Homebase
What types of historic restoration services do you offer?
We specialize in a wide range of historic restoration services, including roofing, siding, and architectural detail repairs. Our goal is to preserve the original charm and character of your historic property while ensuring structural integrity and long-lasting protection.
How do you ensure the restoration matches the original design?
Our team meticulously researches and sources materials that match the original architecture and design. We also collaborate with historic preservation experts and use our extensive experience to ensure accuracy and authenticity in every detail.
Do you work with historic preservation guidelines?
Yes, we adhere strictly to local and national preservation guidelines to ensure that all restoration work complies with regulations and maintains the historical significance of the property.
How long does a historic restoration project take?
The timeline varies depending on the scope and complexity of the project. After evaluating your property, we provide a detailed project plan with estimated timelines to ensure a clear and efficient restoration process.
Can you help if my historic roof has already been replaced with non-original materials?
Absolutely. Many historic homes have had their original roofs replaced with inappropriate materials over the years. We can help you return to historically appropriate roofing, working within your budget and any regulatory requirements. For homes in historic districts, restoring original roofing materials may actually be required when the current roof needs replacement. We’ll assess your situation and present options that balance authenticity, performance, and cost.
How do I know if my roof needs restoration or just repairs?
We can help you make this determination during our inspection. Factors we assess include: percentage of damaged or missing materials, condition of underlying deck and structure, remaining service life of existing materials, presence of active leaks or water damage, and your goals for the property. Sometimes selective repairs can extend your roof’s life by decades; other times, comprehensive restoration is the more cost-effective long-term solution. We’ll give you honest recommendations based on what we find.
