Mattapoisett Public Library

Mattapoisett, Mass.
Slate and Copper Roof Restoration

Project Summary
Flagship installed a new synthetic slate roof that matched this structure’s original 1918 slate.
Flagship also fabricated and installed pre-patina copper panels to go with the new synthetic slate to complete this structure’s new, historically accurate commercial roofing system.

Project Description
As part of the $4.9 million renovation project of the Mattapoisett Public Library, a building which is over 100 years old, the original 1918 slate commercial roofing had to be replaced. Any changes made had to be in keeping with the building historic appearance, and this meant that either very expensive slate would need to be used, or a modern commercial roofing alternative needed to be found.

There are now synthetic slate roof components, which can be made to match any existing slate roofing, and these were used to create a very well matched replacement roof for this public library.

Patina copper panels were another key part of this restoration project, and modern technology came into play here too. It can be very difficult to create an antique patina on copper. Many chemicals need to be used. However, Flagship, using modern techniques, fabricated a pre-patina copper panel system for the Mattapoisett library.

Commercial roofing has improved greatly over the last century, yet the style and character of a historically significant building can still be maintained and, in many cases, improved with long lasting materials and improved thermal characteristics.