The bungalow blocks south of Howard are quieter than the lakefront — and just as historic.
What defines a South Evanston bungalow
Modest 1,200–1,800 sq ft single-story or 1.5-story homes built 1915–1935, with deep eaves, exposed rafter tails, low-to-moderate pitch (5/12 to 8/12 typical), and original wood-plank decking under the roof.
The deck question
The original plank decking on south Evanston bungalows is genuinely 90–110 years old. It is sometimes still serviceable; it is often soft at the eaves where decades of minor leaks have done their work. Any south Evanston replacement scope should carry a written deck-replacement allowance — typically 10–15% of total roof area — so soft decking does not become a change order. A pre-contract roof inspection is what sizes that allowance honestly.
Material choice
The original was almost always wood shake or 3-tab asphalt. Modern architectural asphalt is the most common choice. Designer-laminate shingles can read appropriately on the larger bungalows. Real cedar shake is occasionally requested, and it requires a skip-sheathing rebuild to current standard.
Deep eaves and ventilation
The deep Craftsman eaves are aesthetically beautiful and ventilation-friendly when properly detailed. Soffit venting gets rebuilt on most south Evanston bungalow projects — the original installs almost never have adequate continuous intake. Where only the eaves and flashing have failed, a targeted roof repair beats a full replacement, and permits and preservation review still apply on the older blocks.