Roof Restoration in Catonsville MD for Historic Home “Victorian Rose”
Client: Homeowner in Catonsville, Maryland
Project: Roof
Materials Used: Certainteed Grand Manor & Carriage Shingles
The Vision
Built around 1860, this charming Victorian home, now lovingly known as Victorian Rose, has stood as a proud architectural centerpiece since the homeowners purchased it in 1979. With its wood-frame Dutch-lap siding, wraparound porch, turret with pointed roof, and a carriage portico once used to drop off guests en route to the stables (now a garage), this home carries history in every detail.
By the mid-1990s, after repainting the house white twice, the homeowners embraced a “Painted Lady” aesthetic inspired by the historic homes in Cape May, NJ. They chose a palette of rose with almond cream trim and blueberry-colored doors; colors that reflected the lush flowering landscape they had cultivated over the years. Wanting to complete the look, they turned their attention to the aging roof, envisioning a historically-inspired Victorian roof with alternating shingle shapes rising in four-row patterns to the peak.
The Solution
Classic Remodeling was brought in to help make the Victorian roof vision a reality. The homeowners originally considered slate tiles, but structural and budget limitations made slate impractical. After consulting with Classic Remodeling, they learned about high-quality, thick asphalt shingles that replicate the look of Victorian-era slate tiles but are much lighter and longer-lasting. One shingle type came with a 40-year life expectancy, and the other with 70 years; an ideal solution for the homeowners.
Before installation began, Classic Remodeling’s project manager inspected the roof and found two layers of shake shingles beneath a layer of asphalt. The removal process was conducted with precision and care to protect the home’s paint and integrity. As the old roof came off, several 130-year-old boards were discovered to be deteriorated and were expertly replaced.
The installation team worked diligently and with great attention to detail. The new roof was laid out exactly as envisioned—alternating Victorian-style shingle shapes climbing to the peak. The grounds and driveway were cleaned thoroughly, and despite the scale of the project, the homeowners were able to access their home without disruption throughout the process.
The Result
Now more than 25 years later, the roof has stood the test of time. The shingles have remained secure and the surface strong, perfectly complementing the home’s Painted Lady palette. Since then, the homeowners have updated the siding on the back of the house with enhanced insulated siding and repainted the house in its iconic colors twice.
The homeowners reflect fondly on their experience with Classic Remodeling, grateful for the company’s design insight, premium materials, and professional execution. Victorian Rose continues to bloom with timeless character and enduring craftsmanship.
