Original roofing material is getting harder to come by in many parts of the country. Since Detroit is not a very wealthy city, many roofs are being replaced with modern materials. But to maintain the structural integrity of the building, this is unfortunately often necessary. These examples show the large variety of original roofing materials and application tecnhiques that can still be found in the neighborhoods of Detroit.

Craftsman Gem 1

This one story Craftsman home on the City's westside is an example of the heavy Japanese influence on the style.

Craftsman Gem 2

This second photo shows the double peaked tips of the gables. Notice the split end fascia boards and battered chimney - more Japanese elements.

Green Tiled English Revival

This east side English Revival has an intact flat ceramic tile roof with a green glaze.

Red Spanish Tile

An east side home, this side gable roof features a red Spanish style roof, with a flat 'pan' and rounded 'barrel' section of the interlocking tiles.

Tile Artistry

In another eastside neighborhood, this house shows the skill involved to produce these red Spanish tiles. Notice the tile used for the conical roof on the left and the ridge pieces.

Hipped Mediterranean

A north east neighborhood home shows the straight lines made by a Spanish tile roof. Notice the high bump terminal tile pieces at the two ends of the ridge line.

True Mission

The Mission tile in this northeast home shows the beautiful color variations possible in a barrel shaped tile. Notice the ridge tiles and the tile topped chimneys.

Classic Slate

The gray slate on this home shows the classic application with regular rows ans copper trim.

Slate in Color

Colors were often mixed on roofs, like this large northeast home. Colors include gray, black, green, red and gold.

Slate in Size

Although color is not clear in this photo, this north central house shows the heavy use of overlapping and asymetrical design of a this slate application.

Slate at Grade

Another technique of installers was a graduated slate roof, the pieces were reduced in size and thickness as the slate was applied toward the ridge.

Unique Wood Shingle

This east side home has a unusual wood roofing material that complements the English Tudor Cottage design.

Traditional Wood Shingle

A squared wood shingle has been used on this north central English Revival home.

False Thatch Style 1

First of two photos of this eastside English Revival Cottage with a 'false thatch' style wood roof, meant to simulate the rolling waves of real thatch.

False Thatch Style 2

A sun enhanced view of the undulations of the wood surface, constructed by arched braces on the roofs surface.

False Thatch Roll

Another false thatch roof on an English Revival home, notice the typically large roll from the roof to the fascia, also another trait of the false thatch application.