1880 Historical Vanderbilt University Gymnasium

Eskola Nashville Division recently completed a full roof replacement project at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. This was a complex roofing project involving a number of historic buildings at the university. The project needed custom-made materials and required careful attention to detail at work to preserve the integrity of the buildings.

The main requirements were to replace roofing on 17,000 square feet, including fish scale slate, regular slate, copper finials, and gutters and downspouts.

The first step in the project was to remove the old slate roofing. This was a delicate process, as many of the wood slats were original and dated back to the 1800s. They were installed with hand-made nails, which had to be cut out to remove old slats. After the old roof was removed, Eskola sent a team of workers up north to the slate manufacturer. They worked with the Vanderbilt team to create custom-made slate tiles that would match the university’s specifications. The slate was then shipped by train and truck down to Nashville.

The installation process was just as complicated as the manufacturing. Our roofers covered the low, flat roof with garland-modified bitumen. Then, they installed the new slate tiles and copper finials by hand. Each joint had to be hand-soldered, either in a shop or on location. After the slate was installed, the gutters and downspouts were replaced. This process took a full year to complete.

The new roofing combines modified bitumen, slate, and copper. The modified bitumen provides a durable, long-lasting surface, while the slate gives the roof a classic look. The copper gutters and downspouts add an elegant touch and help to protect the building from water damage.

We are incredibly proud of the final result and know that this roof will stand the test of time. Contact us if you need a commercial roof replacement in the Nashville area. We would be happy to provide you with a free consultation and estimate.

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If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at (615) 844-4144

Nashville Branch: 140 Rainear Lane, Gallatin, TN 37066