A 100-year-old farmhouse in Central Maryland now sports a brand new RHEINZINK roof, giving it an authentic old-world look and feel.

The property, which was originally a dairy farm, has been in the owner’s family since the 1920s. Renovation involved gutting virtually the entire house and keeping only the frame. The asphalt roof, which had started leaking, was replaced with approximately 4,700 square feet of RHEINZINK’s PrePATINA graphite-grey Double Lock Standing Seam Panels. Fabrication and installation of the RHEINZINK panels was done by Hardin Construction of Union Bridge, Md.

“The owner contacted me and said he wanted a roof on the house that would last for generations,” said Craig Hardin, president of Hardin Construction. “We considered various metal material options but quickly settled on RHEINZINK because it’s low- to no-maintenance, and the graphite-grey color develops a nice patina that complements the house and makes the roof look like it’s always been there.”

Hardin added, “Another factor that steered us toward RHEINZINK was their European detailing techniques. You don’t see other roofs around here with the same kind of detailing and seaming techniques.”

Prior to doing the job, Hardin attended a how-to workshop at RHEINZINK America headquarters in Woburn, Mass. The workshops, led by Technical Training Manager Lou Rondeau, provide practical instruction in the installation of RHEINZINK roofing, façade and gutter systems. “These are hands-on sessions,” Rondeau explained, “and they can really contribute to the installer’s craftsmanship.”

Hardin explained his approach to the project added to its distinctiveness. “We’re a small company, and I’m personally involved in the actual installation,” he said. “Unlike larger companies with large crews that have to move fast, we really take the time to pay close attention to the detailing and finish work.”

In addition to the main roof, the RHEINZINK panels were used on the front porch, a screened-in back porch and a small, freestanding outbuilding. The stone structure once enclosed a cold-water spring where the dairy farm’s milk was stored. It now welcomes visitors to the property.

The RHEINZINK distributor on the project was Sheet Metal Supply of Mundelein, Ill.

 For more information, visit www.rheinzink.us.