Folks,

The detached 1920s garage on our property has a 1940s cottage built on at the back of it. The roof ridge runs continuously from the front of the garage to the back of the cottage for 55′. Previous roofing, rolled roofing, was used to cover the entire span and formed a huge,unattractive, monolithic mass that seriously compromised the “Cottage” design of the new (1940s) cottage addition.

After many years of service this roof was in need of replacement and I have mercifully sent it to its final rest in a cozy landfill.

However, on removing the roof it was found that at the junction between the older garage roof and the newer cottage roof, the cottage roof doesn’t meet the garage roof on the same plane but from 1to 2 inches lower, varying at various points. Shims of fiberboard were used to prop up the roofing across the gap and form a somewhat smooth transition.

I’m going to reroof with composition shingles but I want to address the gap between the two roofs differently. The gap is significant enough that shimming was definitely needed but not enough that a stronger solution of a transition with flashing would have been an alternative.

So, I want to actually increase the drop to the cottage roof so that it creates the opportunity to flash against a wall/gable end, and simultaneously create two roof systems on either side of an architectural detail. This detail would be built onto the very end of the garage roof decking/framing providing a break in the huge monolithic mass and provide something like a gable end to flash against.

I’ve thought of a Cupola on top a stepped base or a low-slung and tiered Monitor roof design, both of which typically straddle and/or run the ridge, versus what I need, which is to sit perpendicular to the ridge and run the entire length of the rafter. So I’m struggling with the design.

So, what are the thoughts on my strategy and/or on the design of what I’m trying to accomplish?

I want to break up the long span, create a stronger roofing transition at the two roofs and come out with an attractive looking roof that adds to the character of the building versus making it look like a whale with Pilot House perched on top.

Thanks,
KWL