Why metal makes sense on these steep historic roofs
The grand homes around Coeur d'Alene Park were built with pitch to spare, and that steepness is exactly what metal roofing was made for. A smooth standing-seam surface lets accumulated snow slide off in sheets instead of bridging valleys and building the kind of load that stresses old framing.
For the brick mansions of historic Browne's Addition, the payoff is twofold: less weight sitting on aging structure through a long Inland Northwest winter, and a roof that can realistically outlast two or three rounds of asphalt shingles. Properly installed metal routinely runs 40 to 70 years, which suits a house meant to stand for a century more.
Built for snow load and ice dams
Spokane's winters bring deep snow, repeated freeze-thaw, and the ice dams that form when meltwater refreezes at a cold eave. Metal fights all three. The panels shed snow before it accumulates, the continuous seams give water nowhere to wick in, and a proper ice-and-water membrane underneath protects the deck at the most vulnerable edges.
- Snow shedding: slick panels release snow on the steep century-old roofs common here
- Ice-dam defense: sealed underlayment and clean eave detailing at the cold edge
- Freeze-thaw stability: no granules to lose, no shingles to crack as temperatures swing
We also plan snow management deliberately, adding snow guards above entries, walkways, and the gutters DG includes free with replacement, so shedding snow comes off where you want it.
Standing seam, metal shingles, and stone-coated panels
Not every home in the neighborhood calls for the same look. We help you match the roof to the architecture:
- Standing seam: clean vertical lines, hidden fasteners, the strongest choice for steep pitches and heavy snow
- Metal shingles: profiles that echo slate or wood shake for homes where historic character matters
- Stone-coated steel: textured panels that blend with the masonry tones of the brick mansions
Whatever the profile, the install is what protects you. We detail every valley, ridge, and penetration to keep water out for the long haul.
Respecting the look of a historic district
Historic Browne's Addition is one of Spokane's oldest and most architecturally distinct neighborhoods, and a new roof should read as an upgrade, not an intrusion. Color, sheen, and panel width all change how metal sits against brick, stone, and original trim.
We walk the roof from the street and up close, then recommend finishes that honor the home's era while delivering modern performance. If you are weighing options across the property, our roof replacement team can compare metal against premium architectural shingles so you choose with full information.
Installed and warrantied by a local team
DG Contracting LLC has been a family-owned roofer based in Colbert since 2013, working throughout Spokane and the Inland Northwest. We are GAF Master Elite certified, a distinction held by only the top 2 to 3 percent of contractors, and licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho.
Every project is backed by our 15-25 year workmanship warranty, and our reputation shows in a 5.0 rating across 288 Google reviews. Replacements include a 15-25 year workmanship warranty, and flexible financing keeps a long-term roof within reach. Estimates are always free.
Knowing when it's time
If your steep century-old roof is on its second or third layer of asphalt, losing shingles in winter wind, or showing ice-dam stains at the ceiling line, it may be the right moment to move to metal. The investment is larger up front, but spread across the decades a metal roof lasts, the cost per year often lands below repeated shingle replacements.
We will give you an honest read: sometimes a targeted repair buys time, and sometimes a full metal system is the smarter spend on a home you plan to keep.
