Historic Charleston Foundation
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Roofs and Chimneys
Roofs on historic houses in Charleston usually are covered with one of three materials: slate, terra cotta or standing seam metal. Roof shapes can be gabled (most common), hipped or flat, with each having several subtypes. The shape of your roof and the watertight material that rests upon the roof framing have a dominant effect on the overall architecture of your house.


Common roof framing systems
The roof of your house is also the first line of defense against its biggest enemy: water. Many maintenance problems associated with old houses, from wood rot to peeling paint, originate with moisture problems. A good place to start with overall preventative maintenance is making sure that your roof is doing its job of keeping the water out.

Chimneys were a necessity in the days before central heating. They provided ventilation for the smoke generated by cooking and warming fires and were a standard feature of American houses until the mid-20th century. Many Charleston chimneys became redundant with the advent of central heating. However, even these redundant chimneys should remain on their houses since they are an important character-defining element. If you have a working fireplace and chimney, make sure that it is inspected annually.

Guidelines To Keep In Mind With Roofs And Chimneys
  • Slate and terra cotta can be found to match and repair existing slate and terra cotta roofs. These two roof systems should not be coated with a waterproof coating.

  • Repair existing standing seam metal roofs with new metal and paint, or apply an appropriate waterproof coating material. Copper standing seam metal roofs need not be painted.

  • Asphalt shingle roofing and V-crimp roofing are generally unacceptable for historic houses.

Additional Resources
Preservation Brief #4, "Roofing for Historic Buildings" by Sarah M. Sweetser

Preservation Brief #29, "The Repair, Replacement and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs" by Jeffrey S. Levine

Preservation Brief #30, "The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs" by Anne E.Grimmer and Paul K. Williams
Did You Know
Historically, many roofs on Charleston houses were wood shingle. Because of the many fires that plagued the city, this roofing material was outlawed by city ordinance. After Hurricane Hugo in 1989, many metal roofs peeled back to reveal the early wood shingles underneath.