The roof of a historic building can be an important resource for historians. A physical investigation and research of documents may reveal important information about the history of the roof. Look for old photographs, early insurance surveys, and descriptions of the building from newspapers. Old photographs may reveal details that were not visible in earlier photographs. These documents may also provide a historical perspective on the scale of the building.

If you’re not able to inspect the roof yourself, it may be a good idea to use an online home services platform such as HomeAdvisor. The cost of a new roof varies widely, but an average homeowner will spend between $5,610 and $11,820 on the project. This estimate does not include labor costs. While there are several factors that affect a homeowner’s roofing costs, these costs are primarily caused by the price of materials. The cost of roofing materials is already high, and supply chain and labor issues are further straining the market. Moreover, higher oil prices as a result of the conflict in Russia and Ukraine are adding to the cost of a roofing job.

In addition to weather and climate-related factors, a roof’s pitch is also an important consideration. The pitch of the roof will determine the cost of the roof and its size, as well as the type of materials used. It will also determine whether the roof is walkable, and how well it drains. Steeper pitches are common in areas with high rainfall.