Which Premium Roofing Products Are Best for Historic Homes in Michigan?

In Southeast Michigan, historic homes aren’t just buildings they’re heirlooms. From the Tudor estates of Grosse Pointe to the Craftsman bungalows of Ann Arbor’s Old West Side, and the charming historic homes near Downtown Northville. These properties were built with a level of detail and craftsmanship that deserves to be preserved with care. But when age and Michigan weather take their toll, especially on the roof, it’s time to strike a balance between restoration and protection.

At Lake Effect Exteriors, we specialize in historic home roof replacements that respect architectural heritage while delivering modern performance. Whether your home’s original roof was slate, shake, or early asphalt, we offer high-end solutions designed to maintain the look you love with durability built to last.

Why Roofing Matters for Historic Homes

Roofs are one of the most visible, and vulnerable, features of older homes. Over time, original materials can begin to show signs of:

• Cracking, curling, or missing shingles

• Water intrusion and leaks around chimneys or flashing

• Ice damming in winter due to outdated ventilation

• Wood rot and sagging roof decks

• Loss of curb appeal from worn or mismatched repairs

The right roofing system does more than protect it... it completes the historic silhouette of your home. That’s why we approach each project with a preservation-first mindset, using materials and methods tailored to your home’s era and architectural style.

Premium Roofing Options That Honor Tradition

We proudly offer a curated selection of designer and composite roofing products ideal for historic properties across Metro Detroit, Washtenaw County, and beyond. These products are handpicked for their ability to replicate traditional styles with the benefit of advanced engineering and long-term warranties.

DaVinci Roofscapes®: Composite Slate & Shake

For homes originally built with natural slate or cedar shake, DaVinci offers a stunning alternative that blends beauty with durability:

• DaVinci Composite Shake replicates the rustic charm of hand-split cedar, making it perfect for Tudor homes in Grosse Pointe Farms and Colonials in Plymouth.

• DaVinci Composite Slate captures the elegance of quarried slate roofs — an excellent match for Victorian homes in Detroit’s Boston-Edison District or historic estates in Ann Arbor Hills.

These polymer-based tiles are lightweight, impact-resistant, and built to handle Michigan’s harsh freeze-thaw cycles year after year.

CertainTeed Grand Manor®

When it comes to luxury shingles for steep-slope or complex rooflines, Grand Manor® is the top-tier choice. It’s especially well-suited for:

• French Provincial homes in Birmingham

• Gothic Revival homes in Indian Village

• Second Empire mansions near Downtown Ann Arbor

With bold shadow lines, a multi-layered slate-like profile, and a limited lifetime warranty, Grand Manor® combines aesthetic excellence with long-term performance.

GAF Designer Series: Woodland® & Camelot® II

GAF Woodland Shingles

Looking for premium shingles that blend timeless charm with today’s protection? GAF Woodland® and Camelot® II offer just that:

• GAF Woodland® Shingles bring European character and a hand-cut wood look great for English Revival cottages in Royal Oak and storybook bungalows in Ferndale.

• GAF Camelot® II Shingles echo the elegance of slate, ideal for Georgian-style homes in Grosse Pointe Shores or Colonial Revivals in Burns Park, Ann Arbor.

Both styles offer advanced weather protection and are backed by GAF’s strongest warranties.

Metal Valleys & Copper Accents for Timeless Detail

Historic homes deserve more than basic materials — they deserve craftsmanship that respects tradition. That’s why we often incorporate open metal valleys into our premium roofing systems. Unlike closed valleys, open valleys are not only more durable in Michigan’s freeze-thaw climate, they also elevate the architectural detail of older homes.

We offer:

• Galvanized steel and pre-finished aluminum open valleys in colors that match your roof

• Copper valleys for a refined, high-end aesthetic — ideal for historic Colonials in Birmingham or French-inspired homes in Grosse Pointe Park

• Copper flashing and drip edge accents that patina beautifully over time, adding character and luxury to your roofline

Paired with premium roofing options like Grand Manor®, Camelot® II, or DaVinci Slate, these metal valley systems don’t just perform — they make a statement.

Our Process: Roofing Restoration with Purpose

At Lake Effect Exteriors, we don’t treat historic homes like standard reroofs. Our team provides:

• Detailed inspections to assess existing materials and roof structure

• Guidance on local preservation guidelines, especially in designated historic districts

• Architecturally accurate material and color recommendations

• Expert installation that respects every ridge, gable, and dormer

• Clean job sites and open communication from start to finish

Whether you're updating a 1910s Craftsman in Ann Arbor, a 1920s Dutch Colonial in Grosse Pointe Park, or a mid-century modern home in Bloomfield Village, we’ll help you make the right roofing choice with lasting impact.

Proudly Serving Southeast Michigan’s Historic Neighborhoods

Lake Effect Exteriors works with homeowners throughout Southeast Michigan, including:

• Wayne County - Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Northville, Plymouth

• Ann Arbor – Old West Side, Burns Park, Lower Town

• Oakland County - Birmingham, Royal Oak, Ferndale, Bloomfield Hills, Lathrup Village

• Detroit – Indian Village, Boston-Edison, Palmer Woods

Let’s Protect What Makes Your Home Iconic

If your historic home’s roof is showing signs of age — or you want to enhance curb appeal with premium, period-appropriate materials — Lake Effect Exteriors is ready to help.

Call us at (313) 518-4258

Visit LakeEffectExteriors.homes to schedule your historic roofing consultation today.