An Epic Roof Replacement for Notre Dame Cathedral

At Prestige Roofing, we do a lot of roof replacements. Roofs age and reach a point where they risk leaks, mold or other problems from roof elements that have deteriorated or that are broken or missing. Some roofs we replace are due to damage by storms, wind or falling tree branches. We work with lots of materials, including shingles, ceramic and cement tiles, slate, and metal roofs. We build roof fixtures like chimneys, vents, sunroofs, cupolas, and more. Making beautiful roofs is what we do. So when we saw the epic roof replacement going on in Paris, France on Notre Dame Cathedral, we were curious to take a closer look.

A Cathedral Built to Last

Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, is a beautiful example of gothic architecture dating back over 900 years. Construction was started in 1163 and it took almost 200 years to complete!  “Our Lady of Paris” has stood as one of the most iconic and beloved landmarks in the center of Paris for centuries. When it was consumed by fire in 2019, the city and the world mourned.

The Craftsmanship of Notre Dame

If you haven’t had the chance to visit a massive and lovingly detailed cathedral like Notre Dame, the experience is hard to explain in just words. The goal of the original architects was to lift the worshippers inside skyward toward heaven, so the cathedral was built with soaring interior walls, vaulting and ribbed arches to emphasize their height. The many tall windows are filled with hand-crafted stained glass images that add beauty and bring light into the interior.

 

But it’s the exterior that interests us the most. The building features two tall towers, a magnificent spire and flying buttresses. Along with rows of stone-carved old testament kings and saints, bizarre gargoyles extend from the roof and walls to both help direct rain water from the roof and to keep worshippers aware of the creatures they might encounter in the afterlife if they didn’t honor the teachings of the church. This amazing building stood for nearly a thousand years and burned in a matter of hours. But the Cathedral is coming back with the help of dedicated experts and craftsmen who are carefully rebuilding it, piece by piece.

The Notre Dame Cathedral Fire of 2019

On April 15, 2019 a terrible fire broke out on the roof of the cathedral. The fire was seen across Paris and consumed a large portion of the roof, destroying the spire and damaging parts of the interior as the roof melted and debris fell onto artwork and fixtures inside.

 

Despite the extensive damage and age of the building, the French people and worldwide fans immediately set out to rebuild their beloved cathedral. A project is now ongoing to restore it to its former beauty. Fans around the world can follow the progress of the restoration online. The work will be completed in 2024, when the Cathedral will finally be reopened to the public.

 

The goal of the restoration is to rebuild using the same design and in many cases, same artisanal methods as the original structure almost a thousand years ago. The team has hired experts, artists and craftsmen who bring very specialized skills for everything from glasswork to restoring the organ.

Restoring the Roof

The roof of Notre Dame Cathedral was supported by ancient oak beams first installed in 1220-1240, one of the oldest wooden structure frames in the world. These beams were destroyed in the fire. But they will be replaced with the same strong, durable oak beams from nearby woods that were carefully harvested to minimize environmental impact and preserve the best of the wood. The work will be done by skilled artisans, carpenters who have mastered the traditional art of hand-hewn wood beams, a technique that dates back centuries and was used in the building of the cathedral. This technique means that each beam is hand-crafted from a single piece of wood. This gives the wood extraordinary strength and resistance, the same that held up those original beams in the Cathedral for many centuries. The restoration project has even engaged a team from the United States who have been training in these ancient woodworking techniques to help complete part of the project. The lost spire, that toppled and burned in the fire, will be rebuilt to the same specifications as the original, including a wooden frame.

 

Six hundred tons and 300 foot high scaffolding has been erected over the top of the building and replacement and restoration is now underway. This is quite a roofing job that we plan to follow as the rebuilt Cathedral roof will literally rise from the ashes over the next two years. We can’t wait to see the new roof, a brand new spire and its statues and fixtures fully restored.

Roof Replacement in Las Vegas

We found the Notre Dame project so fascinating because at Prestige we take great pride in our craftsmanship, too. While we may not use medieval woodworking techniques, we have built a strong team of roofers who bring decades of training, experience and knowledge to build, repair, or replace your old roof to the highest quality standards.

Prestige has built a reputation as a quality custom roofer, adding beautiful custom metal, slate and tile roofs to some of the finest homes in the Las Vegas Valley. As part of our custom and specialty roofing, we have also built a highly skilled and creative team of metal work specialists who cut, shape and form the metal to the design specs, whether it’s roof panels, a cupola, an arch, a decorative roof fixture, or to beautify the interior of a home with a copper fireplace, wall panels, or other fixtures. There really is no limit to the creative ways copper and zinc can be used to beautify your home. And, like Notre Dame, a copper or zinc roof is durable and can last over a century.

 

No matter what roof material you choose, a quality roof replacement means your home will have decades of reliable protection from the elements and add value to your home. And, it will look great, too. If you need a roof replacement or have a new custom roof in mind, contact Prestige Roofing at (702) 646-7536 for a free quote.