In Alamo, California, a run-down 1970s kit house was saved from likely demolition by new buyers Wayne and Marilyn Rasmussen, who renovated it rather than tearing it down. ”Appreciation for a round house is an acquired taste — it’s not familiar, and, until you understand it, it doesn’t seem to be a comfortable living place where you lay down with your pets and the kids are watching TV and there’s the smell of food cooking.”
renovated 1970s kit house
After living in a round house for nearly 24 years, I find it very comfortable and pleasurable. It is the most satisfying house that either of us have ever lived in.
How do you replace the roof on a round, kit house? We’d like to preserve the beams inside, but don’t know how to replace the metal roof and have good insulation while preserving the beams’ visibility inside.
Round house roofs vary, just as on other houses. We made our roof of plywood and coated it with liquid roof coating. The coatings have several manufacturers and can be made from several chemicals. Our original roof was a neoprene rolled-on base coat followed by several coats of Hypalon, a synthetic coating applied in liquid form. This proved durable but I used a liquid polyurethane for a much-later roof recoat. This, too, has worked well. I see now that GACO WEST, our supplier, has a new silicone based roof coating for which they claim lifetime durability.
I live in a sister kit house to this one. Virtually untouched in terms of amenities, same 1970′s dishwasher. I love what they did, but they did change the roof. The other originals of this kit, 2 in Oakland that I know of, have zig zag roofs, like a victorian collar or an opened up cupcake wrapper. I just redid mine with foam. I was easy, durable and not that expensive. It fit the odd shape and needs of my roof.
I am looking to do a remodel on my house. Does anyone have any suggestions for contractors and architects, in the East Bay California, who are willing and able to deal with the oddities of a round house?
Oddly enough, I live in Lafayette and have this same round home with the same flat roof. I’m in the process of a rehab and I’ve replaced all the windows and flooring and added a much needed garage. Email me as I’d love to hear more about how you recovered your roof. I could also provide a contractor I used to help with my windows. He does a lot of work on custom homes in the bay area. thesynic at yahoo dot com.
I live in my fiberglass round house from 1976. Company that built shell went out of business. Half the roof collapsed and is laying n ceiling. I was wondering if you could give me estimate of what it would to replace roof with singles or metal?