BEFORE TEARING OFF YOUR VINTAGE SHINGLES….
antique tin shingles are usually excellent candidates for preservation work instead of replacement:
they are sturdy, exhibit few leaks and can be restored to an attractive appearance.
Buy new metal shingles…or..restore
Compare restoration work on your existing shingles against the installation of modern shingles from either manufacture listed below;
If you compare (restore versus replace), you are assured of an informed choice based on appearance, performance and cost.
Our business is to provide expertise and work for those who are exploring the options for preserving their existing tin shingles.
Four visual differences between old and new shingles.
Before and after of Cortright’s slate design: over a frat house
Before and after of Cortright’s Oriental design: Maryland homeowner’s roof
“What is different between old and new?”–Berridge comparison to the real antique
“Can old and new tin shingles be mixed–” Yes, carefully
Berridge Manufacturing Company
The Berridge Manufacturing Company released metal shingles as just one of an extensive line of metal roofing types. In an effort to meet the requests for “traditional tin roofing shingles”, Berridge markets two styles:
The signature design around 1900 onward was called the “slate design” from Cortright Company. I have seen this style many times. Berridge has labeled this design as “Victorian”
Keep in mind that old fashion shingles were available in various sizes, usually improving the shingle’s relationship to the roof size. For example larger expanses of roofing have larger size shingles; porches and overhangs exhibit smaller sizes. To my knowledge, both WF Norman and Berridge sell one size only.
The available sizes today may not be the same dimension, at least I have not seen exact matches.
Here is a link to a red shingle roof where we blended Berridge’s size to the existing roof.
W.F. Norman Company
From all that I have heard, W.F. Norman Company, an 1898-founded company, is the only US location that still makes the embossed tin shingles with the original equipment.
Apparently at one time, they manufactured nine different designs. Today, only these two styles are available.
In the 1970s, the original family sold the company to its present owners, a family who originally bought the business to make old-style stoves. The owner and his family are keeping some of the old presses working.
Click here for W.F. Norman website.
If you want to view some interesting history of the company, click here for a writeup.