Historic Standing Seam Metal Roof Replacement in South of Broad, Charleston, SC

A family home in Charleston’s downtown historic district (South of Broad), originally built in the 1830s, needed a new roof to complete a homeowners insurance renewal. The existing hand-crimped metal roof—coated multiple times and already on the home when the family moved in back in 1965—had reached the end of its service life. The homeowners chose our local team for our expertise navigating Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review to protect historic integrity while delivering modern roofing performance in Charleston, SC.

Project At-a-Glance

• Roof size: Approximately 35 squares (rounded from 33)
• Metal supplier: Gulf Coast Metal Supply (.032 aluminum; Ash Gray Kynar finish)
• Insurance context: New roof required for policy renewal
• Location: Charleston, SC (South of Broad)

Challenge: Preserve a historic façade while meeting modern insurance standards

The prior roof was a traditional hand-crimped system with multiple coating cycles over its 60-plus-year lifespan. Any replacement needed to satisfy strict BAR guidelines on color and profile while improving weather-tightness and longevity for a coastal Charleston environment. Tight streets and limited staging space added complexity, and hidden deterioration at roof-to-wall transitions posed added risk once removal began.

Solution: Hand-crimped standing seam engineered for longevity and historic accuracy

We engaged the Charleston BAR early, securing approval in ten days by collaborating on aesthetic decisions, including the Ash Gray color selection. Work began December 19, 2025, with a historically appropriate yet performance-focused installation of a .032 aluminum standing seam system with a Kynar finish carrying a 50-year manufacturer warranty. Panels were 16 inches wide with a double-lock seam, installed over full-coverage high-temperature self-adhered underlayment to handle Charleston’s summer heat.

• BAR pre-coordination and color selection for historic compliance
• Full-coverage high-temp self-adhered underlayment across the entire roof deck
• 16″ panels, double-lock hand-crimp seams, floating clips, on-site hand seaming
• New chimney flashing and rebuilt roof-to-wall transitions
• Replacement and painting of 150 linear feet of deteriorated siding on rear elevations
• Final detailing, site protection, and thorough clean-up; first-try city inspection pass

During tear-off we uncovered significant rot at key interfaces; our crew replaced and painted 150 linear feet of siding on the rear gable and rear chimney before fabricating new flashing. Installation concluded January 9, 2026, and the project passed the city’s final building inspection on the first attempt, reflecting precise workmanship and attention to detail in Charleston’s historic district.

Result: A historically faithful roof with modern protection and peace of mind

The new standing seam system preserves the home’s nineteenth-century character while delivering durability, improved drainage, and long-term color performance. With the manufacturer’s 50-year Kynar finish warranty and our 10-year workmanship warranty covering installation issues up to the full replacement cost, the homeowners gained the protection required for insurance renewal. The refined hand-crimped seams and upgraded flashing reduce maintenance and enhance curb appeal befitting South of Broad in Charleston, SC.

Trust & Proof: Local BAR expertise, quality materials, and inspection success

Our longstanding relationship with Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review streamlined approvals and ensured the final appearance matched neighborhood standards. Gulf Coast Metal Supply provided the .032 aluminum system and high-temperature self-adhered underlayment. The project culminated in a first-try pass on the city’s final building inspection, reinforcing confidence in the quality of the installation and the long-term performance of this new roofing system.