The Storybook architectural style is one of the most charming and whimsical in the world. With their swooping, undulating rooflines, their playful curves, and their fairytale-cottage aesthetic, these homes are true, one-of-a-kind works of art. The roof, in particular, is the defining feature, a masterpiece of craftsmanship that is designed to look as if it were grown organically from the landscape.
But for the roofing professional, the prospect of repairing one of these unique structures can be a daunting one. This is not a standard, by-the-book roofing job; it is a work of architectural restoration. The flowing, organic lines of a storybook roof are created with specialized, hand-bent materials and artisanal techniques that are a world away from a standard asphalt shingle. To approach a repair correctly, you need to think like an artist as much as a roofer.
If you have the unique opportunity to work on one of these architectural treasures, here are the key considerations to keep in mind.
1- This is a Job for a Specialist, Not a Generalist
The first and most important thing to understand is that this is not a job for a standard roofing crew. The skills required to repair a storybook roof are highly specialized and are possessed by only a handful of master craftsmen.
You need to partner with a contractor or a subcontractor who has a deep and proven expertise in steam-bending wood shingles, working on curved roof structures, and historic restoration and preservation.
Attempting this kind of work without the right, specialized expertise is a recipe for a costly failure that can do irreparable damage to a unique and valuable home.
2- You Must Source the Right Materials
You cannot go to a standard building supply house and pick up the materials for this kind of repair. A storybook roof is built with a very specific, high-grade material: typically, old-growth Western Red Cedar shingles. These shingles are specifically chosen for their long, straight grain, which allows them to be steam-bent without cracking.
The repair process will require the on-site, custom steam-bending of each individual shingle to perfectly match the unique, flowing curves of the existing roof. This is a slow, meticulous, and highly skilled process that cannot be rushed.
3- The Art of the Weave
The defining characteristic of a storybook roof is its soft, undulating, and almost random-looking pattern. There are no hard, straight lines. The shingles are laid in a flowing weave that mimics the look of a thatched cottage roof.
The ultimate goal of a successful repair is for it to be completely invisible. The new shingles must be skillfully and artfully woven into the existing roof pattern so that there is no obvious “patch.” This requires a true artist’s eye and a deep understanding of the original craftsman’s technique. This focus on preserving the original character of a home is a key principle of historic preservation.
4- Don’t Neglect the Unseen Underlayment
A repair is a crucial and valuable opportunity to inspect and upgrade the roof’s unseen, but critically important, underpinnings. When you remove the damaged section of the old wood shingles, you will be exposing the roof’s underlayment and sheathing.
This is the perfect time to replace the old, likely outdated, underlayment with a modern, high-performance, self-adhering waterproof membrane. This “peel and stick” underlayment will provide a superior, secondary layer of waterproofing that will ensure the long-term, leak-free performance of the entire roof system.
Repairing a storybook roof is a rare and rewarding challenge. It’s a chance to work on a true piece of architectural art and to practice the craft of roofing at its very highest level. By approaching the project with a deep respect for the original craftsmanship, by sourcing the correct, high-quality materials, and by working with a true specialist, you can successfully preserve and restore these unique and beautiful roofs for a new generation.
