50 YEARS OF LONGEVITY
Upon viewing the future location of the House of Subtle, we discovered five leaks throughout the roof’s structure. This was apparent through visible long-term interior water damage signs in plaster ceilings, walls, and wood floors. Water damage was due to shingles and rubber roofing membranes existing well past their lifespan, improper installation of rubber roofing membranes and patches; and failure to replace inline gutter systems that rusted out causing framing and sheathing to rot beneath. Neighborhood squirrels also ate their way through the siding and destroyed a few rafters in the rear.

With assistance from our Amish pals, we decided to replace the roof and install Coppertone corrugated 28 gauge Galvalume steel panels due to low maintenance and a long lifespan. This type of steel ensures a product that can withstand the test of time and comes with a 40-year warranty! Since rodent damage is very apparent in the neighborhood we felt metal was a solid choice to be indestructible to critters. It will be another 50 years before the roof will need to be replaced!

ACCENTS OF COLOR
Throughout Lancaster City, one will frequently see shingles as siding on dormers as an improper choice of material installation. As one can see in our blog pictures, shingles were used as siding on both the front and rear dormers. We designed and installed the dormers in white board & batten-styled vinyl siding and flashing, fascia, drip edges, and inline gutters accented in black aluminum to highlight the main roof color. Lastly, 4-inch half-round aluminum gutters and downspouts were installed to match the roof’s Coppertone look and then tied back into the cast iron sewer line.

Lots of cold calling took place to find a metal bender to custom-make the 1890s inline gutter systems. Nearly every gutter installer wanted to patch over them, extend the roof line, and install half-round gutters.

House of Subtle is dry after 15 years at least and it will be half a century before we need to think about rain entering these bones.