Reynolds Mansion Historic Roof Replacement

A Roof Replacement Honoring Asheville History

Some roofing projects are about replacing a roof. Others are about protecting a piece of history. For Central Exteriors, the roof replacement at the historic Reynolds Mansion in Asheville was very much the latter. Perched on Reynolds Mountain, the Reynolds Mansion is one of western North Carolina's rare surviving pre-Civil War brick homes. The property dates to 1847, making the original structure nearly 180 years old, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also one of fewer than ten surviving pre-Civil War brick homes in western North Carolina.

When Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina, the historic property sustained damage, making restoration and weather protection an immediate priority. Central Exteriors was entrusted with bringing the mansion's roof back to a protective condition while respecting the architectural character that makes the property so significant.

A Roofing System Designed for the Mansion

The project required attention to the mansion's multiple roof areas and architectural details.

On the upper roof, Central Exteriors installed CertainTeed Landmark shingles in Charcoal Black, providing a clean, classic appearance that complements the historic structure.

For the remaining roof areas, we installed CertainTeed Carriage House Gatehouse Slate, selected to complement the mansion's distinctive historic architecture and give the roof the dimensional, slate-like character appropriate for such an important property. The result is a roofing system that provides modern protection while maintaining the visual character of a home that has stood for generations.

Preservation Was in the Details

A project of this age requires considerably more than simply removing old shingles and installing new ones.

The work involved extensive wood replacement, with careful attention to the underlying roof structure and the areas that had deteriorated over time. Every step required a preservation-minded approach: repair what could be retained, replace what could not, and avoid unnecessary changes to the character of the building.

The Reynolds Mansion's history is visible in its architecture. The original brick structure was later transformed in the early 1900s, when Nathaniel Augustus Reynolds added the third floor, mansard roof and dormers, along with Colonial Revival porches and interior details. That layered history made craftsmanship especially important. Our goal wasn't simply to put a new roof on an old building—it was to make sure the new roof belonged on the building.

Rebuilding After Hurricane Helene

For Asheville and the surrounding mountains, Hurricane Helene was more than a weather event. It changed communities, damaged historic properties, and left countless homeowners and businesses facing an enormous rebuilding effort. Working on the Reynolds Mansion gave Central Exteriors an opportunity to contribute to that recovery in a particularly meaningful way.

Getting the roof back into a protective, weather-tight condition was critical for safeguarding everything beneath it. On a nearly two-century-old structure, protecting the building envelope means protecting the historic materials, craftsmanship, and stories contained inside. We understand that rebuilding after Helene is about more than construction. It's about helping Asheville preserve what makes Asheville special.

Protecting a Piece of Asheville's History

The Reynolds Mansion has endured for nearly two centuries. Built by Colonel Daniel Reynolds before the Civil War, the home originally stood on hundreds of acres north of what was then a much smaller Asheville.  Over the decades, it has evolved, survived changing generations and uses, and remained an important part of the region's architectural history. The property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, recognizing both its architectural significance and its connection to the history of Asheville and western North Carolina.

The Reynolds Mansion For Central Exteriors, being part of the next chapter of that story was an honor.

We care about Asheville's history.

We care about craftsmanship.

And we care about helping our community rebuild after Hurricane Helene. The Reynolds Mansion roof replacement brought all three of those commitments together—a modern roofing system, carefully executed wood restoration, and a preservation-first approach designed to help protect this remarkable Asheville landmark for generations to come.

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