DECRA Metal Roofing Maintains a Vintage Look for Historic House Museum

By DECRA Metal Roofing. 

Historic Landmark gets a new metal roof from DECRA that can endure severe weather conditions. 

Wisconsin is known for its snowstorms and cold environment. Having such a harsh climate makes it difficult to maintain classic architecture such as the Hearthstone Historic House Museum. This historic landmark was in dire need of a new roof, a roof that was both durable and matched its elegant aesthetic. DECRA Metal Roofing was the answer. 

Deteriorating roof for the Hearthstone Historic House Museum.  

In the Fall of 1882, the Hearthstone House became the first private home in the U.S. to use lighting powered by hydroelectricity. Today, the location is officially known as the Hearthstone Historic House Museum. Holding national significance, it houses a variety of exhibits, as well as detailed interior features that were popular among the wealthy during the opulent “Gilded Age.”  

The exterior of the mansion is also unique. The roof features steep pitches, complex layouts and multiple layers, creating a complexity rarely seen in today’s architecture.  

George Schroeder, the executive director at the Hearthstone House, saw that the existing roof made from wood shakes and asphalt shingles was rapidly deteriorating. By early 2019, the roof would be at the end of its lifecycle, exposing the historic electrical system and irreplaceable antiquities to the harsh Wisconsin elements. 

With numerous decisions to make on the project, Schroeder sought professional advice from JF Lopez Roofing, a well-respected roofing contractor with experience in unique, large-scale projects such as these. The Hearthstone House roof would not only require a uniquely qualified contractor to execute the upgrades, but it would also require a high-quality roofing material that could fit the specific needs of a Victorian-era mansion, including reliable protection, long-lasting integrity and a visual match for the antique exterior. 

Endurance and elegance required for historic mansion 

There were two main challenges in selecting the appropriate roofing material for this historic site: durability and aesthetics. 

• Durability: The Hearthstone House team wanted to invest in a roofing material that would endure the freeze thaw cycles, wind, hail and harsh Wisconsin weather as well as last significantly longer than their deteriorating shake and shingle roof. 
• Aesthetics: The mansion also needed a material that could match the historic character, appearance, and color of the existing structure, maintaining the mansion’s overall charm. 

DECRA chosen over asphalt shingles 

The design and remodeling team, which included JF Lopez Roofing, considered using two different materials for the project: conventional asphalt shingles and DECRA Shingle XD®.  

While asphalt shingles may have fit the aesthetic of the mansion, they couldn’t withstand the elements and would need to be replaced every 10 - 20 years due to delamination, warping and cupping. Further, asphalt shingles are prone to ice damming in winter conditions which can cause excessive snow loads on the roof, dangerous overhanging icicles and cracking in the underlying roof deck. This can cause leaks when cracks expand later on in warmer temperatures.  

DECRA Shingle XD was selected for this project because it provided both the deep texture of traditional heavy-cut shingles and the unsurpassed strength of steel that can stand up to Wisconsin weather for a lifetime. The new roof in Classic Cobblestone replicated the home’s original color perfectly and according to Schroeder “is indistinguishable from our previous shingle roof and visitors are often surprised when they learn that the Victorian-era roof is actually made of modern high-grade steel.” 

Learn more about DECRA Metal Roofing in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.DECRA.com.