Preserving History: Historical Roof Renovations

3 0 • I n t e r f a c e A p r i l 2 0 1 6
The Flatiron Building
was built in 1902 on
a wedge-shaped property
at the intersections
of Fifth Avenue and
Broadway in New York City.
Photo by Alex Jagendorf.
Appearance and performance
are often two of the most
critical considerations when
reviewing the needs of a historical
building. The roof system
helps define the building’s
aesthetics. However, no matter how
aesthetically pleasing the roof is, all buildings,
including historical ones, will experience
roof issues—some beyond simple
repair.
Historical buildings are protected by
federal, state, and local regulations and
strict standards to ensure that the character
and aesthetics of the building are
preserved as renovations are carried out.
For roof consultants who have not been a
part of a historical renovation or who have
little experience with these projects, the
process of renovating the roof system on a
historical building is one that requires acute
attention, care, and cooperation with the
appropriate government entities.
HISTORICAL
RENOVATION AND
REHABILITATION
STANDARDS
From the federal
level down to the
state and local levels,
there is a nationwide
system in place to
preserve and protect
historical buildings.
Understanding these
codes and standards
and contacting the
appropriate authorities
early in the renovation
project can
help ensure a smooth
process in the renovation
of a historical roof
system.
Building Codes and
Commissions
Knowing which
authoritative agencies
are applicable
is a crucial step in
getting started. The
International Existing
Building Code’s section
about historical
buildings provides
directives for repair or
alteration of historical
buildings.1 Consult with city and state
historical building codes and commissions
before any renovation work begins.
U.S. General Services Administration
(GSA)
Under the GSA’s Office of the Chief
Architect, the Center for Historic Buildings,
provides leadership and guidance for
compliance with the National Historic
Preservation Act. The GSA’s technical and
strategic expertise applies to promoting the
viability, reuse, and integrity of historical
buildings that the GSA owns, leases, or
may acquire. To accomplish this, the GSA
develops prototype solutions and tools and
promotes best-practice exchange to help
GSA managers, project planners, and field
operations staff maintain and upgrade historical
properties.2
National Register of Historic Places
At the federal level, The National Park
Service’s National Register of Historic
Places is the official list of historical places
deemed worthy of preservation. As part of
the National Historic Preservation Act, the
National Register is included in the national
program to coordinate and support public
and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and
protect the country’s historical and archaeological
resources.
Under the National Historic Preservation
Act, a state government function called the
State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO)
was developed. The responsibilities of the
SHPO include surveying and recognizing
historical properties, reviewing nominations
of properties for inclusion in the National
Register, reviewing renovation or rehabilitation
plans for the impact on the properties,
as well as supporting federal organizations,
state and local governments, and the private
sector.3
Each state is responsible for setting up its
own SHPO, and the rules and regulations may
vary from state to state. With the cooperation
of local and state governments, the SHPO
A p r i l 2 0 1 6 I n t e r f a c e • 3 1
Indiana World War Memorial in Indianapolis, Indiana, constructed between 1926 and 1965.
supports the Federal Historic Preservation
Program. With historical roof renovation, the
SHPO can provide technical assistance and
consultation to ensure that the aesthetic
appearance is in accordance with the original
roof design and construction.
Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for Rehabilitation
The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards
for Rehabilitation were originally developed
to help determine the appropriateness of
proposed work on registered historical properties.
These standards assist in the longterm
preservation of the properties’ historical
materials and features. When using the
term “rehabilitation,” the secretary’s standards
assume that some repair or alteration
of the historical building is required in order
3 2 • I n t e r f a c e A p r i l 2 0 1 6
The various wings of the U.S. Treasury Building in Washington, DC, were built between 1836-42, 1855-61, 1862-84, and 1867-69. It was
declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
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to be used today, but these repairs and
alterations cannot damage or destroy materials,
features, or finishes that are important
to the building’s aesthetic. The standards
include ten points, all in reference
to respecting the historical appearance and
character-defining features of the property.4
Qualified professionals with experience
working on historical buildings will understand
these codes and guidelines and will
reference and apply them as necessary. All
of these guidelines recommend that any
historical renovation begin with a thorough
investigation and assessment of the existing
roof system.
ROOF RENOVATION CONSIDERATIONS
When a problem occurs, there are few
roofing professionals who specialize in
historical renovation. When conducting a
thorough physical investigation of the roof
and its structure, understanding the construction
history and the following areas is
crucial:
• Deck type and condition, as some
historical decks may no longer be
structurally sound
• Deck load capacity to ensure a new
roof and any insulation does not
exceed load capacity
• Deck uplift resistance, since older
decks may rely on gravity for uplift
resistance and are not always adequately
attached for current uplift
resistance
• Rooftop equipment supports that
may be deteriorated and not adequately
attached for uplift or seismic
requirements
• Wall substrate condition and roof
drainage characteristics
Although a physical investigation is
often the most important part of the project,
there may be documentation available
for review, such as original building plans
or prior specifications. However, even with
these documents, it can be hard to match
criteria that may no longer be used or meet
modern-day code requirements. During
the physical investigation, determine any
changes to the roof’s slope, configuration,
or materials that may be different from the
original construction. Once the investigation
is completed and a full picture of the
roof system’s condition is understood, selection
of materials can begin.
Material Selection
When the historical roofing material is
not available or the cost of specially fabricated
materials may be prohibitive, alternative
materials can be considered. In doing
so, the primary concerns should be preserving
the appearance of the roof and protecting
the structure from further deterioration.
If needed, a suitable substitution can be
selected, but these materials should match
the aesthetic of the original materials as
required by guidance from the SHPO, as
well as meeting all codes and regulations.
Material selection for historical renovations
follows the same guidelines as used for
non-historical roofing projects with features
of durability, redundancy, flashing conditions,
material preference, and budget.
Additionally, typical roofing considerations
such as color, surface texture, and finish
should be considered.
Architectural Considerations
In addition to the aesthetics of the
building, architectural considerations exist
that must be accounted for. Any substitute
A p r i l 2 0 1 6 I n t e r f a c e • 3 3
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materials will need to be compatible with
existing materials. Once the materials are
selected and work begins, it is not uncommon
to find that the project expands as it
progresses. For example, waterproofing may
identify wall or other structural issues that
will need to be addressed.
For historical buildings, ensuring that
the repair materials tie in to existing components
can be challenging. You may find
when working through projects that liquidapplied
systems and other highly flexible
membranes are best, as they are versatile
enough to detail properly without compromising
the integrity of the system or the
aesthetic requirements of a project. These
products can conform to the shape of the
building, adhere to a variety of substrates,
and are applicable in a wide range of temperatures,
making them versatile for working
with historical building designs.
IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL
ROOF RENOVATION
The roof of any building is an element
that will inevitably require attention as time
goes on. A poorly constructed, maintained,
or renovated historical roof will lead to
the deterioration of the historical building
itself and the contents inside it that may
have historical value. Roof consultants have
an extremely important job to protect the
building’s integrity. As you work through
historical projects, you’ll begin to build a
base of knowledge and contacts that will
help you; however, don’t be afraid to ask
questions along the way. Roofing manufacturers
are often a good source to help
navigate the project, as they have likely
completed projects of this type before.
References
1 “International Existing Building
Code,” Chapter 12, Historic Buildings,
http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/
icod/iebc/2012/.
2 “Center for Historic Buildings,”
http://www.gsa.gov/portal/category/
20992.
3 “What Is a State Historic Preservation
Officer (SHPO)?” http://www.ncshpo.
org/whatisashpo.shtml.
4 “The Secretary of the Interior’s
Standards for Rehabilitation,” http://
www.nps.gov/tps/standards/rehabilitation/
rehab/stand.htm.
Mark DeFreitas,
vice president and
national sales manager
for SOPREMA,
has more than 25
years of experience
working in
the commercial
roofing and waterproofing
industry.
Prior to working
at SOPREMA,
DeFreitas held various
sales manager positions in the industry
and was a representative for the Single Ply
Roofing Industry (SPRI), holding the position of
president in 2007. In his current role, DeFreitas
is responsible for managing the sales activity
and personnel for the United States.
Mark DeFreitas
Curtis Liscum,
RRC, RRO, technical
services manager
for SOPREMA,
has more than 30
years of industry
experience in
design, evaluation,
construction
management, and
forensic analysis.
Prior to joining
SOPREMA, Liscum
was a senior consultant
and partner with a national roof
consulting firm for over 20 years. In his
current position, Curt is responsible for field
technical, warranty evaluations, and warranty
claims.
Curtis Liscum,
RRC, RRO
3 4 • I n t e r f a c e A p r i l 2 0 1 6
William Good, CEO of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) for 28 years, is planning
to retire. Negotiations are underway for current Wisconsin Representative Reid Ribble to succeed
Good in 2017 at the end of his congressional term.
Good started his career with the NRCA in 1973 and served in multiple roles before leaving in 1985.
He returned in 1987 to lead the staff and has been CEO ever since. He plans to stay on in a part-time
capacity for a five-month transition period, officially retiring at the end of May 2017.
Good was named a Fellow of the American Society of Association Executives in 1999 and was
awarded the Association Forum of Chicagoland’s highest honor, the Samuel Shapiro Award, in 2000.
He was granted NRCA’s highest honor, the J.A. Piper Award, in 2001. He is
an active participant in many community groups, including president of the
Chicago Christian Industrial League and board chairman of Rebuilding Together.
Reid Ribble joined Kaukauna, Wisconsin-based The Ribble Group Inc., a
family business, in 1975, becoming its president in 1980. He served as NRCA’s senior vice president
from 2004 to 2005 and was also president of the Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress’ Board of
Trustees from 2008 to 2010.
In 2010, Ribble was elected to the U.S. Congress as a Republican and has been re-elected twice. His
current term expires in January 2017, and he is not seeking re-election.
“I appreciate the possibility to return to the roofing industry in 2017,” Ribble says. “Roofing is in
my blood.”
Ribble was the keynote speaker at RCI’s 2014 convention in Anaheim, California.
William Good, CEO
Reid Ribble
Bill Good to Retire as NRCA CEO; Ribble S et to S ucceed at Post