Roofing
Roofing and Gutters
Tile roofs and copper gutters are the crowning touches of the buildings we love.
Here are some of the companies that are raising the bar–and the roof–with traditional products and techniques.
Ludowici
A maker of high-quality architectural terra-cotta roofing, flooring, and cladding, Ludowici has been in operation for more than 135 years.
That’s when the Ludowicis, descendants of a renowned family of potters whose European origin began over 400 years ago, founded their own company in the United States.
The company, which is now based in New Lexington, Ohio, offers a variety of colors, textures, and customization options, says head of marketing Lauren Johnson that “allow endless inspiration for architects, designers and homeowners alike.”
The customizable tiles, which adorn thousands of historic and new-build structures around the world and carry a 75-year warranty, are “uniquely beautiful and stand the test of time,” Johnson says.
They also have the lowest water absorption rates, she adds, and are ASTM C1167 Grade 1 rated, color fast, strong and salt-, cold- and fire-resistant.
Working for Ludowici is a point of pride. “You are making a product you believe in-from quality to history and performance,” Johnson says. “It is a huge win being involved with the preservation of historic buildings and being able to assist with restoring them to their original glory.”historic buildings, includin
Lukis Restoration Co.
A family-owned business with eight skilled employees, Lukis Restoration Co. specializes in tile-roof repairs, slate-roof restoration, architectural sheet metal fabrication, decorative copper work, new tile-roof installations, and high-performance synthetic roof systems.
The company, which is based in Illinois and works on roofs throughout the Midwest, has been in business 12 years.
General Manager Andrew Lukis, who learned the trade from his grandfather and father, is passionate about his work.
“The privilege of restoring historical roofs, maintaining unique aesthetics, providing protection from the elements for families ,and last but not least carrying on as a third-generation roofer specializing in slate, tile and copper work–all these things dovetail to lay the foundation for my fondness for the profession,” he says.
The company’s success, he notes, comes from experience and the proper execution of details–key elements that factor into the longevity of roof systems.
“We are proud to carry on a tradition of old-world craftsmanship, helping solve problems to restore and protect the character of many different structures, each with its own individual charm,” he says.
Northern Roof Tiles US Inc.
An importer of clay roof tiles from leading makers in England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Holland, Northern Roof Tiles US was established in 1991.
The family-owned company, founded by Stuart Matthew, also sources used tiles for repairs, commissions tiles for repairs and restorations, and supplies, specialty mortar systems, bricks, pavers, and quarry tiles.
Northern Roof Tiles has worked on a number of high-profile projects, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House in Buffalo, New York, and The Breakers, Cornelius Vanderbilt’s summer cottage in Newport, Rhode Island.
Matthews, whose sons Adam and Simon are taking over the company, is working on one final project: The Yin Yu Tan merchant’s house at the Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts.
The house, which dates to 1798, was shipped over from China in 1996, and Matthews was tapped to design and make a replacement pan tile that replicated the look of four of the small original tiles, which had not been fired at a high enough temperature to weather the harsh Massachusetts winters.
“They were installed in 2000 and functioned perfectly,” Matthews says. “Unfortunately, the stock of original cover tiles has been depleted, and it was decided to replace all the existing cover tiles.”
For the project, Matthews’ last, Northern Roof Tile US is working with the renowned English tile maker Dreadnought Tiles to supply 33,000 new tiles that are only 7 inches long.
Matthews says working with Dreadnought, which started making tiles in 1805, only seven years after Yin Yu Tan was completed, “has been very gratifying.”
Slate & Copper Service
For 45 years, Slate & Copper Services has been installing, maintaining, and restoring slate, tile, wood, and sheet metal roofing assemblies throughout the Northeastern United States.
Slate & Copper is family owned and operated and has locations in Easton, Connecticut and Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
A full-service roofing and sheet metal service, it specializes in historical roof restoration and preservation with an emphasis on recreating complex architectural sheet metal elements.
Company founder Scott Donahue says that “there is a considerable amount of fulfillment that comes from being able to contribute to preserving and caring for historically significant structures.” TB
