If you ever had to replace a roof on your home you know how expensive it can be.
In Columbia County a new roof on the courthouse will hopefully save money because it will be energy efficient.
You have to look up to see the work being done on the Columbia County courthouse in Bloomsburg. The old slate roof is being torn off and replaced with a new one.
Officials said the slate was put on the courthouse roof in 1908, more than 100 years ago.
The new slate roof is expected to last another century. Officials said it is cheaper than putting in traditional asphalt shingles, which have a much shorter life span.
"An asphalt roof you're looking at 20 to 25 years. You have to consider that four times before you're going to have to replace this," said maintenance supervisor Wade Mays.
Columbia County officials said the new roof will keep the heat in and keep out the weather.
"We had to do this or we were going to have a lot of damage in the interior of the courthouse. We thought it was important for historical preservation, so wherever there was slate we replaced it with slate," explained Commissioner Chris Young.
The new roof is part of a multi-million dollar energy-saving project.
"New furnaces, upgrading our heating systems. Our hot water systems to make it more energy efficient and in the long run save us a lot of money. It will cut down on our energy bills," said Commissioner Dave Kovatch.
Columbia County officials hope work on the courthouse roof will wrap up in two months. The other energy -avings programs will take a bit longer.