What kind of roofs are on Stow's 1960s streets?
Stow became a village in 1957 and a city after the 1960 census, when it had 12,194 residents. Ten years later it had 19,847. Much of that first growth landed on the streets around Call Road, Stow Road and Lynnwood Drive, as brick-front ranches and split-levels.
A ranch roof is simple and big. It has one long ridge, two main slopes or a hip, a low pitch near 4/12 or 5/12, and wide overhangs. Because the whole house sits under it, the roof often measures 18 to 26 squares. A square is 100 square feet.
Split-levels add a step in the roofline where the two-story half meets the one-story half. That step is a wall, and wherever a roof meets a wall there is step flashing to keep sound.
How many roofs has a 1960s Stow house had?
Do the math on a house built in 1964. Its first roof was 3-tab shingles with a life of 15 to 20 years, so it was replaced around 1980 to 1984. The second roof came due around 2000. A house like that is on its third roof today. If that third roof was an architectural shingle laid near 2000, it is 25 or more years old and at the end of its span.
Some owners saved money on the second round by laying new shingles over old. That leaves two layers. The model code Ohio builds on allows no more than two, so a roof like that must be stripped to the deck this time. A second layer also means nobody has seen the decking since the 1980s.
What does the owner look for on a Stow ranch roof?
- Decking. Houses of this age may have board decking or early plywood. Soft spots show underfoot and from the attic.
- Ventilation. Many ranches of the period were built with only small gable vents. Poor airflow cooks shingles in summer and feeds ice at the eaves in winter. A ridge vent is part of every replacement.
- The chimney. One brick chimney is typical, and sixty winters is a long time for mortar and flashing.
- Eaves and fascia. Wide overhangs and spike-hung gutters mean the roof edge deserves a close look.
- The step in a split-level. Flashing at that wall is checked piece by piece.
Not every finding means a new roof. A loose flashing piece or a split boot is a roof repair in Stow, priced on its own.
How do the trees on these streets affect the shingles?
These yards hold the oldest trees in the city's subdivisions. A maple planted when the house was new is about sixty years old now and likely taller than the roof. Stow has held Tree City USA status for more than forty years, and the canopy on these streets shows it. Shade keeps the north slope damp. Moss takes hold on damp shingles and lifts their edges. Seeds and leaves collect in the valleys of split-levels and behind chimneys.
None of that means a tree should come down. It means the shaded slope should be judged on its own, since it may be years ahead of the sunny side in wear.
What makes a ranch a good roof to replace?
Almost everything. The pitch is walkable, the planes are large and plain, and there are few valleys. Tear-off moves quickly, and the dumpster sits close in a ranch driveway. A typical ranch is commonly a one to two day job. Size drives the cost more than difficulty does. See roof replacement cost in Stow for how squares, layers and decking set the number.
The long eaves on a ranch are also where the roof and the gutters meet. If yours hang on old spikes, read about doing the roof and gutters together.
Where do permits come from for Call Road and Lynnwood Drive?
These streets are inside the City of Stow, so roofing permits come from the City of Stow Building Department at 3760 Darrow Road, a short drive away on Route 91. The department takes applications through its online portal.
What is the next step for a 1960s Stow roof?
If your ranch has a roof from around 2000, book a free roof inspection in Stow. The owner inspects it himself, you get a photo report the same day, and the written price is good for a year. The main page on Stow roof replacement lists what goes on the house.
Ranch roof from around 2000?
It is likely the third roof on the house and close to done. A free look will tell you.