Some exterior changes could be coming to Carlyle House in Old Town.
The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority is asking the city to approve a plan to replace the wood shingles with a standing seam metal roof on the nearly 275-year-old mansion at 121 N. Fairfax Street. The first mansion ever constructed in Alexandria was built by city founder and merchant John Carlyle in 1751.
In its application to the Board of Architectural Review, the authority says that a roof replacement is needed “as soon as possible” to avoid potential water damage to the building and its contents.
“The current roof was installed in 2007 and has lasted less than 20 years,” NOVA Parks said in the application. “We believe a properly installed metal roof will provide a superior and longer-lasting weather barrier. A metal roof will be less prone to storm damage and high winds that are common in the area. Furthermore, a metal roof will provide better fire protection for the wood framed building.”
NOVA Parks estimates the roof replacement would cost approximately $250,000, and the project would mean a complete scaffolding of the entire house.
“Metal roofs can last 40-60+ years,” NOVA Parks said. “It would be preferable not to have to replace the roof every 20 years.”
As for historical accuracy, NOVA Parks says the history is inconclusive.
“There may have been a metal roof on the house in the early 1800’s, but we do not have sufficient data to confirm the roof type during this time period,” NOVA Parks said. “During the history of the Carlyle House, the roof has changed several times between metal and wood.”
No construction timeline was included in the application.
NOVA Parks is managed by former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson.
The BAR will consider the application at its meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
