Project Gallery: The Lapeyre House Slate Roof, New Orleans

Historical Considerations Are Made In Replacing A Slate Roof On Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans

Garcia Roofing is always honored to be chosen as the preferred contractor for any roof replacement, repair, or restoration in our community. Such was the case last year when contacted by the current owners of the George F. Lapeyre House.

Constructed in 1892, the Lapeyre House is a charming Victorian masterpiece located at 3924 Saint Charles Avenue, nestled in the historic Garden District of New Orleans.

George F. Lapeyre, a New Orleans native who obtained his law degree at Columbia University in 1889, married in 1890 and returned to New Orleans where he built his beloved home and began his practice of law.

Choosing The Right Slate Roofing System

The initial meeting with our client included the presentation of several different slate options as well as various slate installation techniques. The client opted to come by our office to view available colors and installation procedures. In order to maintain both architectural and historical properties, our client chose a traditional slate installation in semi-weathering gray/green. We chose to use varied sizes of slate pieces to give the new roof a more aged appearance.

Installation Preparation

The stately oaks and impeccable landscaping at the Lapeyre House negated our ability to use a manlift/forklift to reach the steep, majestic three-story roof. Safety was of paramount concern as we met with our safety coordinator to discuss this challenging installation. We agreed that a combination of toe boards, safety harnesses, and lifeline ropes was necessary.

After enduring over a century of relentless New Orleans summers as well as countless tropical storms and hurricanes, the old slate tiles were removed and lowered to the ground using a special gas-powered ladder called a Laddervator.

Once completed, the original roof decking was inspected and necessary repairs made. All existing copper flashing was replaced with new, handcrafted copper flashing that was fabricated in our full-service sheet metal shop. Custom-made copper drip edge was also installed and the roof decking covered with GAF Stormguardunderlayment.

New Slate Installation

As we began the slate installation, we again used the Laddervator to safely transport the new slate tiles up to three stories. The slate was then secured to the roof by hand nailing stainless steel nails. One of the focal points of the Lapeyre House is the magnificent turret roof located on the front of the house, facing Saint Charles Avenue. Roofing the turret was particularly arduous, but the resulting beauty makes an incredible statement perched high above the home.

We salvaged and reinstalled the majority of the antique Victorian-style ridge tiles, with the remainder being located at area salvage yards. The attic vents were not salvageable, however, so copper replicas were handcrafted in our sheet metal shop. Additionally, a slate and a standing seam metal roof system were installed on the pool house.

Thank You!

We are most grateful to the current owners of this historical house for entrusting the removal and replacement of their slate roof to Garcia Roofing and Sheet Metal. Each job we are privileged to undertake requires vision, skill, and determination. The George F. Lapeyre House is an excellent testimony to the commitment of our company to our clients, their homes, and especially the preservation of our local history.