Most of Virginia-Highland was built between about 1910 and 1930, and it shows on the roof. Low-pitched Craftsman gables with deep eaves and exposed rafter tails, brick chimneys that have settled for a century, and a rear addition on almost every other house — each one a place where an old roof meets a newer one.
Lots are narrow and driveways are shared or nonexistent, so how a crew stages a tear-off matters as much as how they install. We plan dumpster placement, protect landscaping and neighbors' cars, and keep the street clean at the end of every day.
What we see on Virginia-Highland roofs.
- Addition tie-ins. Where a 1990s or 2000s addition meets the original roof is the most common leak point we find. The fix is usually re-flashing the transition and correcting the slope detail, not a full roof.
- Chimney flashing. Original brick chimneys often have step flashing that was face-nailed or tarred over years ago. We rebuild it with new step and counter flashing cut into the mortar joint.
- Low-slope porch roofs. Front porches and back sunrooms are frequently too flat for shingles. We replace them with a proper low-slope membrane or standing seam instead of shingling over the problem.
- Branch damage. Mature oaks overhang most roofs here. After a summer storm, even a small limb can crack shingles or punch through 1x decking.
Before you re-roof in Virginia-Highland.
Many Virginia-Highland houses still have original 1x board decking under the shingles. We inspect it plank by plank at tear-off and replace only what's soft. If you're on a street with historic overlay rules, we confirm material and color requirements before ordering anything.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need approval to replace my roof in Virginia-Highland?
The neighborhood is listed on the National Register, which by itself doesn't restrict private owners. Some streets fall under City of Atlanta overlay or district rules that do. We check your address before quoting and handle any permit paperwork.
Can you replace just my porch roof?
Yes. Low-slope porch and addition roofs are one of the most common jobs we do here, and they can usually be replaced without touching the main roof.
My bungalow has board decking. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Solid 1x boards hold nails well. We replace soft or split boards, and sheath over the boards only when gaps are too wide for the shingle manufacturer's warranty.