Lakefront home maintains historical aesthetics with sustainable metal roof
Posted
07/28/2011
After three years of renovation on their home, the
owners of a private residence in Erie, Pa., chose a metal roof to
maintain the home's historical authenticity and charm. The home's
location on the South Shore of Lake Erie dictated an attractive,
durable new roofing material that would withstand heavy amounts of
snow and ice, while holding up against heavy winds. Approximately
8,000 square feet of Follansbee W.Va.-based Follansbee Steel's
KlassicKolors metal roofing in Patina was installed on the
home.
Designed in the Greek Revival style, the central portion of the
14,000-square-foot home was originally built in 1929 and has a
traditional Greek temple pediment and fluted columns. The new
western and eastern wings, along with the new detached carriage
house, mimic the traditional details and proportions of the
original home, creating a uniform balance to the formal south
façade that faces the street. The north façade has larger windows
and multiple balconies to take advantage of the Lake Erie sunsets
and views over Erie's Bay.
Often the first choice for historic applications, metal roofing
can blend seamlessly with existing traditional materials while
preserving the historic feel of many classic structures.
Additionally, the low sheen of coatings applied to metal roofing
can match the traditional terne metal roofs of old.
The low sheen of the new patina roof blends nicely with the
waterfront home's existing white siding and black shutters,
maintaining its traditional look and preserving its historic
integrity. The roof also adds aesthetic appeal and color to the
structure's surrounding greenery and white picket fence.
"The homeowners wanted to mimic the traditional Greek revival
style in their home," explains Richard Wachter, architect and
partner at Erie-based Kidder Wachter Architecture & Design.
"Every detail and material that went into their home was researched
and scrutinized to verify that it would be period appropriate.
KlassicKolors was selected because the material resembled an
authentic copper patina standing-seam roof."
When the homeowners decided to expand and renovate
their home, one of the main reasons they chose metal roofing was
because of its durability. Given the home's location on Lake Erie,
a roof that could withstand long winters was important. By choosing
metal, the homeowners have a roof that will last for decades,
without the hassles and high costs of repairs or improvements.
Due to the roof's specially formulated alloys, specifically
designed to withstand extreme weather, it will hold up under even
the most severe snow, rain, hail and wind conditions. The
pre-painted patina metal roof features a zinc/tin alloy coating
that provides enhanced durability and extends the life of the metal
for many years, even if the painted surface is breached. In a
location like Erie that sees heavy snow each winter; metal roofing
has been the choice of homeowners for years. It sheds snow fast,
which protects the structural integrity of the roof. And it can
eliminate ice damming at the eves, preventing water from backing up
and collecting under the roof, ultimately leaking into the home. A
metal roof also provides supreme protection and resilience against
high winds, uplift and corrosion.
An energy-efficient roofing option, the color-coated metal roof
is painted with highperformance solar reflective coatings to
provide the solar reflectance value criteria for steep slope roofs,
and the cost and energy-saving benefits of a "cool roof." The
pre-painted material also contributes to a hassle-free installation
process, since the metal panels do not require any further
painting. By controlling the passage of solar radiation, metal
roofing keeps the home warmer during the winter and cooler in the
summer. Protective solar reflective coatings conserve energy,
providing solar reflectance and heat-emitting properties resulting
in reduced air-conditioning costs.
In addition to energy savings, the roof of the private residence
offers other sustainable building elements. It was produced from
metals containing a high percentage of recycled materials, and if
the time should ever come to replace to replace the roof, it is 100
percent recyclable. Metal roofing is one of the top
renovation-friendly materials that returns its value and is worth
the investment.
Renovation on the home began in October 2006 and was completed
in April 2009. Whipple-Allen Real Estate, Erie, was the
contractor.
For more information on Follansbee W.Va.-based Follansbee Steel,
visit www.follansbeeroofing.com.
www.follansbeeroofing.com