“Restoring a building with this much history requires a different mindset. You aren’t just a contractor; you’re a steward of Ancaster’s architectural legacy.”
The Challenge: Protecting a 19th-Century Landmark
The Barracks Inn is one of Ancaster’s most iconic stone buildings, dating back to the early 1800s. Restoring a roof on a property of this caliber isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about preserving the structural integrity of a century-old masonry building.
For a landmark like this, the challenges are unique:
Historical Accuracy: The cedar must match the period-correct look of the 19th-century Neo-Classical architecture.
Masonry Sensitivity: Working on an old stone building requires precision to ensure that runoff and flashing don’t compromise the original lime-mortar stonework.
High-Stakes Protection: As a luxury boutique hotel, the roof must offer 100% reliability to protect the high-end suites and guests below.
The Solution: Specialist Cedar Restoration
We performed a meticulous restoration designed to extend the life of the existing cedar while honoring the building’s heritage.
Gentle Preservation Wash: We used a low-pressure, specialized solution to remove years of organic buildup without damaging the delicate wood fibers.
Individual Shingle Repair: We hand-selected and replaced compromised shingles to ensure the roof’s “armor” was fully intact.
Protective Oil Treatment: We applied a high-penetration oil preservative to replenish the wood’s natural tannins, protecting the Barracks Inn from Ancaster’s heavy snow and freeze-thaw cycles.