Roof Replacement in Malden, MA for Historic Firehouse Conversion

Historic Property with Aging Three-Tab Shingles, Solar Constraints, and Premium Material Upgrade

This project involved a large scale roof replacement on a historic firehouse in Malden, MA that had been converted into a single family home. The structure featured a steep and complex roof layout, requiring careful planning due to its height, multiple roof elevations, and the need to integrate both architectural shingles and synthetic slate while preserving the original firehouse design

The homeowner reached out after experiencing widespread shingle failure across multiple roof planes, particularly near ridge lines and transition areas. Sections of the roof showed clear material loss, with missing shingles and exposed underlayment indicating leaving sections of the roof vulnerable to water intrusion, particularly along exposed ridges and transition points

In addition to the complexity of the structure, the project included constraints such as existing solar panels on one roof plane, which the homeowner chose to keep in place for a future upgrade.

What Was Happening at This Property

The existing roofing system was an aging three tab shingle roof that had reached the end of its lifespan. The failure was not isolated it was occurring across multiple roof sections.

Key issues included:

Missing and detached shingles across multiple roof planes, especially near ridge lines and areas adjacent to solar panel sections
Absent ridge caps and hip caps, leaving critical areas exposed
Previous material loss due to wind and long-term weather exposure
Active risk of water intrusion across multiple roof planes, particularly at exposed ridges, slope transitions, and previously patched areas
Accumulation of blown-off shingles around the property, confirming ongoing material failure due to wind exposure

Due to the building’s height and steep roof design, even minor material loss created elevated risk, especially during wind-driven rain where exposed ridges and upper slopes are more vulnerable

What Our Inspection Revealed

What initially appeared to be isolated damage was actually consistent failure across multiple critical areas, particularly along ridges, hips, and slope transitions.

The structure’s original firehouse design added complexity, with multiple elevation changes and intersecting roof planes that required careful evaluation.

Preserving the historic appearance of the home was a top priority for the homeowner, which directly influenced material selection and installation approach.

We also identified key constraints:

One roof plane contained existing solar panels that the homeowner was not ready to remove
The height and steep pitch required additional safety planning and staging
The homeowner prioritized maintaining the historic aesthetic of the property

Based on these factors, we determined that a partial but extensive replacement covering approximately three quarters of the roof was the most effective solution.

These conditions required a targeted approach that balanced structural safety, material compatibility, and the homeowner’s long term upgrade plans.

Roof replacement work in progress on historic brick home in Malden MA

How We Replaced and Restored the Roof

Due to widespread failure across multiple roof sections, this project required a full replacement across the majority of the structure rather than isolated repairs.

Our work included:

Full removal of failing three-tab shingles across the main roof sections
Installation of GAF Timberline HDZ shingles in Pewter Gray for durability and a clean, uniform appearance
Integration of EcoStar synthetic slate on dormers to preserve the historic architectural style
Installation of new ridge caps and hip caps to restore full system protection
Reinforcement of critical transition areas to ensure proper water shedding
Careful integration between different roofing materials to maintain both performance and visual consistency

Special care was taken to integrate new materials with existing sections of the roof that remained, ensuring consistent performance while accommodating the homeowner’s decision to retain the solar panel area for future upgrades.

Due to the complexity of the structure and the level of detail required, the project was completed over the course of approximately one week.

The Final Result

The completed roofing system now delivers both a fully sealed and reinforced roofing system with consistent material transitions and restored protection across all replaced sections

Key outcomes include:

Full restoration of roofing protection across the majority of the structure
Clean, consistent appearance using Pewter Gray architectural shingles
Preserved architectural detail through EcoStar slate integration on dormers
Proper sealing and protection at all ridges, hips, and transition points
A roofing system built to withstand New England weather conditions

The homeowner was especially pleased with how the final result preserved the original aesthetic of the property while significantly improving durability and long term performance.