Red metal shingles: Antique sizes from 1870s

Red metal shingles in two sizes from 1870s

For any old house owner, this embossed red metal shingle style is truly an antique. Usually dating from the 1870s, most roofs of this design have been replaced by asphalt shingles.  But not this gem in South Carolina.

(If you want to compare antique shingle characteristics to modern versions of the same shingle, go to Berridge shingles versus old style mini-article.)

Early period of embossed tin shingles

Several details highlight the difference between this period and the height of the tin shingle era around 1900.

• First, the shingle design tended to be more ornate.
• Second, the shingles were available in several sizes-not available today.
• Third, this traditional size is not available from manufacturers today.

Carolina roofs

The project where these shingles originated presented us with numerous challenges.

For example,

• create replacement shingles due to hail damage
• leaking witch hat
• recent metal panels nailed over old shingle roof
• large chimneys

The project did have one big advantage–a dedicated owner determined to preserve the historical features.

More photos and comments can be found on the red metal shingle webpage.