Many Old North End homes date from the late 1800s and early 1900s, with steep, intersecting roofs, dormers, towers, decorative trim and wide porches. Some still have original or early materials such as slate, wood shingles, copper or built-in gutters hidden in the roof edge. The neighborhood's streets are lined with large, old trees that shade roofs and frame the area's character.

That combination means storm damage can be both more likely and harder to repair well. A hailstorm that dents a modern roof might crack slate or split older wood. A heavy spring snow can bring down limbs from trees that have been growing for a century. And repairs that would be routine elsewhere may need matching materials or craft skills.

Parts of the neighborhood are recognized as historic, and some exterior changes may involve review. Ask the City of Colorado Springs historic preservation staff whether your address is affected before replacing roofing or windows with a different material.

Roof features you may need to talk about

Built-in or box gutter
A gutter built into the roof edge and lined with metal. When the lining fails, water goes into the wall rather than over the edge.
Slate
Natural stone roofing that can last a very long time but can crack under hail or foot traffic. Repairs need a roofer who works with slate.
Turret or tower roof
A round or many-sided roof on a tower. Tarping it is difficult and often needs custom work.
Cresting and finials
Decorative metal or wood along ridges and peaks that wind can loosen.
Valley
Where two roof slopes meet. Complex roofs have many, and debris and snow collect there.
Original wood windows
Older sash windows that may be worth repairing rather than replacing after hail breaks the glass.

Storm-ready habits for a historic home

  • Photograph every elevation and roof section in good light, and keep the images as a record of original details.
  • Identify a roofer familiar with older materials before you need one.
  • Keep a few spare matching roofing pieces or trim profiles if any were left over from past work.
  • Have an arborist assess large trees over the house every few years.
  • Clear valleys and built-in gutters of leaves before spring snow and summer storms.
  • Know whether your policy pays to match original materials or only for similar modern ones.
Map of Old North End. It shows an area, not an office or a job site.

Common questions

Will my insurance pay for slate if my roof is slate?

It depends on your policy's wording on like kind and quality and any limits on matching. Ask your agent before a storm what your policy says about replacing original materials.

General information for Colorado Springs, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.