We mentioned in our first update on the roof that this is actually the third roof the state has put on the Keith House. The one currently being replaced was put on back in 1989 and before that the roof was replaced in the 1960s. Jim Houston, Preservation Construction Specialist for the PHMC's Architectural and Preservation Division, was recently able to track down the photos from the 1960s job at the Athenaeum of Philadelphia and shared some scans of them with us.
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| Photograph from the Raley Collection, Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Used with permission. |
The other differences are interesting to look at too - for starters, the observant among you (Herb, I'm talking to you) will have noticed the two dormers to the left: yep, when the state first acquired the Keith House, the south side had three dormers (the other was to the right of the contractor, out of view of the camera. Two were removed (see the Before and After Restoration photos here for more information on why this was done).
Our current project is being accomplished with a lift truck while in the 1960s they elected to use scaffolding and what looks like a pulley system to bring their materials up. They were also replacing structural members back then - you can see the contractor nailing new purlins to the rafters while the current project is just replacing the shingles.
The first job seemed to work right to left, while the current one started left to right on the lower slope, but is now going right to left on the upper - not that it makes a difference, but as long as we're doing a compare and contrast and all. Did anyone else pick up on any differences we missed?
Your roof should always be ready for the storms to come. It is something that you should prepare for during the summer time.
ReplyDeleteThe Kieth House is surely amazing being built in the 1960s and only on its third roof job! I wonder how hard it was for the workers during the 1960s to do the roof since the construction tools and equipment then were not really at par with our modern tools today. I just hope that modern technology can help the contractor to finish the roof faster, and make it sturdier.
ReplyDeleteThe Keith House itself actually dates to 1722. This is the third roof the state of PA has put on it since it was donated to them in 1958. We don't know how long the original roof lasted or how many times it was replaced in the 18th/19th centuries - a tin roof was put on the upper slopes in the 1800s because of leaking. There was very extensive plaster damage on the 3rd floor when the state of PA acquired the property and that was because of leaks either before or after that tin roof was put on. Other than the lift truck vs. scaffolding, the materials and tools are pretty much the same - hammers, nails, shingles. Although the shingles are easier to produce now then back when they were hand split with an axe or adz. Ours are mass-produced, taper sawn and made in Canada.
DeleteThe rafters, tie beams and joists serve to transmit the weight of the roof to the walls of the building. There are a number of structural systems employed to facilitate this, including the use of wall plates set at the top of the wall, hammer beams, which spread the weight down the wall and create an equilibrium between outward and upward thrust, king posts which transfer the weight of the roof ridge, and various types of trusses. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and history of roofing. I'm a roofing contractor in Maine and really enjoyed this! Thanks for sharing.
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ReplyDeleteRoofing has such a rich history. I'm one of the largest roofing contractor in Boston and have been an experienced residential roofer, commercial roofer, and condo roofer for over 50 years. Hope you check out my website and request a free estimate if you're in need of Boston MA roofing services.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Did you know that roofing contractor and painting contractors sometimes handle the same work? I've been a professional painter in Salem MA for several decades, and I sometimes do roofing work in Salem as well. Check out my site, you won't be disappointed!
ReplyDeleteThe progress is surprisingly good. I just wish the roofer was all protected during the process. I cannot see his whole body, but there are literally no signs of protective gears. I know there is a roof panel machine, but still, better safe than sorry. Safety should always come first. Good job!
ReplyDeleteRandell Jeffries
I think the Keith House really deserved a reroofing, considering how long it had been since its last maintenance. It is really amazing how a house can still stand after so many years. I bet whoever sees it today would find it hard to believe that the house was actually built in 1722. Anyway, the roof looks good. The roofing contractor really knows what to do when it comes to old houses.
ReplyDeleteThanks, we're really happy with how the new roof looks.
DeleteA bit of different technology! Look at the lever in the background, that's great. Certainly still an art today as it was back then. I'm curious what the average lifespan of roofs were 100+ years ago. These days you can get 40+ years out of a roof! We just provided roofing in Stoneham MA for a resident that had a roof that was 60 years old. Pretty bad condition.
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