A Historic Home Restoration That Honors Every Detail
From the cedar-shingled homes of Lake Forest to the brick bungalows of Oak Park, the Chicagoland area is rich with architectural legacy.
At Custom Installations, we specialize in restoring historic homes with period-accurate materials, craftsmanship, and care — all while integrating modern performance standards when needed.
- 50+ Years of Historic Home Exterior Expertise
- Cedar, Slate, Tile & Copper Restoration Experts
- Trusted by Preservation Boards, HOAs & Discerning Homeowners
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Hidden Damage, Patchwork Fixes, Poor Matches?
We Make It Right.
Historic homes often hide years of wear and patchwork. When those issues surface, our team provides thoughtful, preservation-minded solutions that stabilize and restore without compromising the character of the original build.
We restore and replace:
- Failing cedar, slate, or tile roofing systems
- Deteriorating flashing, valleys, or chimney caps
- Rotted soffits, wood siding, or decorative trim
- Non-matching updates that disrupt curb appeal
- Underlying damage uncovered during tear-offs
Why We Are the Go-To for Historic Home Exteriors
Preserving the past isn’t just about replacing old materials — it’s about honoring original design, sourcing authentic products, and replicating craftsmanship that today’s contractors often overlook. We do all three — in-house, with pride.
- Detailed Pre-Construction Assessments
- Experts in Frank Lloyd Wright, E.E. Roberts, and Early 20th-Century Design
- Custom Copper Fabrication & Specialty Trim Work
- Experience with Permit Processes in Historic Districts
- Seamless Blending of Old-World Style + Modern Durability
Materials That Respect the Past — and Perform in the Present
Preservation-First Restoration — From Roofline to Foundation
Exterior Roof Restoration & Replacements
We specialize in high-skill tear-offs, rebuilds, and repairs that preserve original materials when possible — and match them exactly when it’s not.

Architectural Metal & Copper Fabrication
Our metal shop handles one-of-a-kind restoration pieces — from decorative valleys to box gutters and dormer caps — built to historic standards, not shortcuts.

Siding, Fascia & Soffit Restoration
We repair or recreate wood siding, fascia boards, and soffits using traditional joinery and modern protective treatments.

Trim & Exterior Detail Work
Your corbels, brackets, window casings and porch beams matter — we match them in profile and scale using durable, code-compliant materials.

Permit & Preservation Board Assistance
Need drawings, specs, or historical documentation? We’ll assist with submittals and help you get approval with minimal delay.

“Historic homes demand more than craftsmanship — they demand respect. We restore what matters, and we do it right.”
Whether you’re working with a preservation board, renovating a turn-of-the-century bungalow, or just want to do it the right way — Custom Installations brings experience, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for architectural history to every job.
- Family-Operated Since 1969
- Specialists in Historical Midwest Architecture
- Serving IL & WI
About Custom Installations, Inc.
We’re a second-generation, family-operated company built on one core belief:
Craftsmanship matters. Always has, always will.
With deep roots in Chicagoland and Metro Milwaukee, our team has served homeowners, architects, and builders since 1969. From small repairs to historical restorations, we deliver consistent, high-quality results.

Hear From Homeowners Like You
Discover what real homeowners are saying about their experience with us. From start to finish, our team is committed to delivering quality, reliability, and results you can trust.
Greta Harrris
Carol Ann B.
Jonathan J.
Denali
Ryan Chitwood
Rob
Will Lynn
Jacob Rosenfeld
Robert Tschurtz
Brett Paschke
David Held
Jonathan Jonas
What Homeowners Ask Us Most
Do you work with historic preservation boards or neighborhood associations?
Yes. We regularly assist homeowners with submitting material specs, historical photos, and scope documents for approval. We’re familiar with the permit process in many local historic districts.
Can you match the original materials used on my home?
In most cases, yes. We work with suppliers who provide cedar, slate, copper, and custom millwork specifically for restoration purposes. When exact matches aren’t possible, we source or fabricate alternatives that maintain historic integrity.
Will updating my home compromise its character?
Not with us. We strike a careful balance between preserving historic features and integrating modern materials or systems when needed. The result is a home that looks period-correct — and performs far better.
What kinds of homes do you typically restore?
We’ve worked on everything from Queen Anne Victorians and Prairie-style homes to early 20th-century bungalows and stone cottages. If it was built with craftsmanship, we know how to restore it.
What makes historic restoration different from regular exterior work?
Historic restoration requires specialized materials, more precise detailing, and deeper planning. Our crews are trained to handle architectural nuance and work respectfully around fragile or irreplaceable elements.
Got More Questions?
Find Out If We Service Your Area
Custom Installations, Inc. proudly serves homeowners, builders, and property managers across Chicagoland, Metro and Milwaukee.
Primary Service Areas:
Illinois

937 Campus Drive, Mundelein, IL 60060
10936 N Port Washington Rd, Suite 343
Mequon, WI 53092
Give Us a call.
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Prefer we reach out? No problem. Just share your info and we’ll give you a call — usually within the same business day.
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