An Exterior Home Transformation on Children’s Lake
When a historic home in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania needed a new roof that would last while preserving its Victorian character, Dreamworx Roofing was the easy choice.
Along Front Street in Boiling Springs, overlooking Children’s Lake, sits one of the area’s most recognizable Victorian homes. For years it operated as Gelinas Manor Bed and Breakfast, but today it is being brought back to life by a new homeowner who is committed to preserving its character while giving it the protection it deserves.
The homeowner purchased the property knowing he was taking on a full restoration that included extensive interior and exterior renovations. The roof was leaking, the turret shingles were severely deteriorated, and exposed wood needed to be covered. He wanted materials for his roof, siding, soffit, fascia, and gutters that were low maintenance, all while keeping the character of the house.
Location and History
Boiling Springs is a small-town village in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania known for its natural springs, historic charm, and scenic views along Children’s Lake. The community dates back to the early 1700s and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. Today it remains a peaceful, walkable town with a strong sense of heritage and some of the best trout fishing waters in the region.
The home featured in this project was built around 1869 and is one of the earliest Victorian residences in Boiling Springs. Positioned along Front Street beside the lake, it later became the Gelinas Manor Bed and Breakfast, welcoming guests for decades. Restoring the exterior meant preserving a recognizable piece of the village’s history and ensuring the home continues to stand proudly in one of the most photographed areas of town.
Challenges
By the time the current homeowner moved in, the property showed clear signs of age and weather exposure. The main roof was leaking, the turret shingles were failing, there were large areas of exposed wood around the fascia and soffit that needed to be covered, and the skylights were outdated and no longer performing well. The home needed a full exterior restoration that would maintain its Victorian architecture while staying within budget.
Because this was a new purchase that required both interior and exterior work, every decision needed to balance historic authenticity, long term durability, low maintenance, and cost.
Solution and Materials
To meet the homeowner’s goals, Dreamworx Roofing designed a hybrid roofing system that preserved the home’s historic charm while making the most of the project budget. The homeowner originally hoped to use DaVinci across the entire roof, but with the amount of work the home required, this option was slightly outside the planned budget. After reviewing several designer shingle options, our team landed on a combination approach: Owens Corning for the main roof and detached garage, and DaVinci for the turret to maintain its architectural significance.
Main Roof and Detached Garage
The main roof and detached garage were completed with Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration shingles in the Slatestone Gray color. This color blends cool light and medium gray tones with a subtle blue undertone that compliments the historic character of the Victorian home.
Turret Roof
The turret roof was restored using DaVinci Multi‑Width Slate in Smokey Gray, a cool, natural slate inspired color that adds depth and contrast to the home’s exterior. The stone‑like appearance feels authentic to Victorian architecture and highlights the turret as one of the home’s defining features.
Because turret roofs are among the most complex structures to install, our team used the DaVinci Turret Package. This provides titles that are cut specifically for the exact dimensions of the turret, creating a fully custom fit.
Turret Siding
To complete the turret, the rounded wall was finished with DaVinci Hand‑Split Shake Siding in Aged Cedar. This color captures the warm, weathered tones of natural cedar and adds rich texture to the turret. This pairs beautifully with the Smokey Gray slate tiles and helps preserve the home’s Victorian character.
Porch Roofs
EPDM rubber roofing was installed on the main porch and turret porch. This material is ideal for low slope areas and ensures long term watertight protection.
Skylights
Seven skylights were replaced with a combination of fixed and venting Velux units. These upgrades improve natural light, ventilation, and energy efficiency while maintaining a clean, modern appearance.
Soffit and Fascia
Exposed wood around the home was protected using Berger Trim Coil on the fascia and Mastic non-vented vinyl soffit, maintaining the original look while eliminating ongoing maintenance.
Gutters
Raw aluminum half round gutters were installed to match the home’s historic style and provide reliable water management.
Project Scope
- Full roof replacement
- Owens Corning Duration shingles on the main roof and garage
- EPDM rubber roofing on the main porch and turret porch
- Custom DaVinci Multi Width Slate turret package
- DaVinci Hand Split Shake siding on the rounded turret wall
- Replacement of seven skylights with Velux FS C04 and VS C04 units
- Aluminum fascia wrap and vinyl soffit installation
- Raw aluminum half round gutter system
The Results
When this home was completed, we were able to restore its Victorian architecture and preserve its history. With the combination of Owens Corning shingles, DaVinci Multi‑Width Slate, and DaVinci Hand‑Split Shake Siding, the home has become one of our favorite transformations at Dreamworx Roofing.
If you have a historic home and are looking to upgrade or restore your exterior, give us a call. We would love to walk you through our process and help you choose the right materials for your home.
