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PITCHED ROOF TERRITORIAL STYLESouthwest Architecture
The other details were common to Pueblo, Spanish Pueblo and Territorial architecture in that they were commonly applied to existing buildings. As the style progressed the wood detailing became more ornate and new building developed with second floors with dormer openings in the roof structure.
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Copyright © 2005 | McDOWELL CONSTRUCTION, Santa Fe, New Mexico | 505.982.5238 | doug@mcdowellsantafe.com |
Up until the arrival of the trains to New Mexico most roofs on homes in the territory were thick dirt roofs. Since the climate was dry the hope was that the dirt would absorb the water before it could penetrate the two or more feet of dirt on the roof. This was not always the case and water leaks were common along with dirt falling from the ceilings between the latillas and ceiling boards.
Soon after the arrival of the trains, corrugated metal roof panels became available. The original pitched roofed homes are recognized by the board and batten gable ends on the building that define the pitch of the roof. This was probably a very popular remodel for a flat roof house in this time. It was most common in the wet valleys and mountain sites as that is where most of the rain accumulated. New Mexicans framed up the ends of their homes applied ridge beams and rafters and covered their new roof with corrugated metal. Although the metal was originally gray the older homes can be recognized by their rusted metal color. It was a common appearance to see the gable ends of the homes lined with red chili ristras drying for winter use.