Mansard Roof With Iron Cresting

Standing sentinel on a mansard roof or enclosing a widow s walk curlicues and pointed finials made a victorian silhouette against the sky.

Mansard roof with iron cresting.

Note the convex mansard roof and intact cresting of the tower simple brick window hoods and broken pediments atop the dormers. This structure is a change from the 17th and 18th century period of houses generally associated with wethersfield and is noteworthy of its kind. Porte cochere at the right side of the house is also mansard roofed with cresting. Cresting is associated with second empire architecture where such decoration stands out against the sharp lines of the mansard roof.

The mansard roof has dormers but instead of shingles the roof is finished in wood siding. In some cases lightning rods were integrated into the cresting design making the feature useful beyond its decorative features. The mansard roof crest was often topped with an iron trim sometimes referred to as cresting. In an era obsessed with architectural detail and ornamentation iron roof cresting was the topper.

In addition to the mansard roof other distinguishing characteristics of second empire architecture include towers and ornate elements and decorative detailing such as iron cresting often on the roof heavily bracketed cornices quoins and balustrades. Look for these features. But despite its regal name a second empire isn t always elaborate or lofty. So how do you recognize the style.

Photo courtesy capital crestings. 525 t street n w. High on the tower of a second empire house it is more solemn. With tall mansard roofs and wrought iron cresting victorian second empire homes create a sense of height.

The cook fitch kirtland home poland ohio a k a the bishop house this lovely greek revival style house was built in 1851 and was extensively remodel in 1880 when mr. Above the bargeboards of a downing cottage cresting is lighthearted whimsy. Cresting incorporating a faux weather vane design along the roof of the thomas murray house in davenport iowa. Under the turret is the opening to a balcony with a wooden balustrade.

The tower takes the form of a wooden turret and the iron cresting is also of wood. Although still intact in some examples often this original cresting has deteriorated and been removed. Kirtland added the dining room with a bay window and a tower containing a side entrance and a mansard roof with its cast iron cresting. Cresting in architecture is ornamentation attached to the ridge of a roof cornice coping or parapet usually made of a metal such as iron or copper.

Rounded cornices at top and base of roof. A full run of cast iron cresting in elaborate pattern crowns the mansard roof which is shingled with hexagonal slates. Narrow house 1873 in washington d c. Dormer windows project like eyebrows from roof.