Restoration Register

Heritage roofing in Toronto and the GTA

A slate roof that is losing slates is usually not a failed roof. Slate outlives the nails and the flashing that hold it, so a hundred-year-old roof commonly needs re-nailing and new copper valleys rather than the tear-off-and-asphalt quote most roofers will hand you.

Heritage roofing across the GTA means slate, cedar shingle, standing seam and pressed metal, clay tile, and the copper detailing that makes any of them work: soldered valleys, built-in eavestroughs, step flashing and snow guards over entrances. The tell of a competent heritage roofer is that they solder. Caulk and roof cement at a valley is a five-year repair on a hundred-year assembly. On slate, ask specifically about matching, because Vermont and Welsh slate differ in colour and thickness and a patch in the wrong stone reads from the street. Replacing a slate or cedar roof with asphalt is also the single most common way to lose a heritage grant.

What to ask before you hire

  1. Can this roof be repaired rather than replaced? Ask for a slate-by-slate condition assessment before accepting a tear-off quote.
  2. Do you solder your own copper valleys and flashings? If the answer involves caulk or membrane at the valley, keep looking.
  3. Where will replacement slate or shingle come from, and how close is the match? Salvaged stock of the same quarry and thickness is the best answer available.
Grant funding

Roofing is eligible under the Toronto, Oakville, Markham and Caledon programs when the material suits the building. Several municipalities will fund slate or cedar and refuse asphalt, so confirm the material with heritage staff before ordering.

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All heritage service pages · Grants by municipality