18th Century Roofing Materials

Tests on european copper roofs from the 18th century showed that in theory copper roofs can last one thousand years.

18th century roofing materials.

For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia. But more often lead was used for protective flashing. As early as the 18th century fear of fire caused many wood shingle or board roofs to be replaced by sheet metal or clay tile. These clay materials were ideal as a precaution against fires which had engulfed london in 1666 and charred boston in 1679.

While american settlers imported slate for use in roofing as early as the 1600s quarrying slate on american soil did not begin until 1785 according to east coast builders. Unlike wood slate is a highly durable inflammable rot and insect resistant material. The search for alternative roofing materials is not new. Roofs of the 17th and 18th centuries typically were covered by cedar or pine shingles.

The tiles themselves are flat and rectangular with a common measurement of around 10 by 6 by. Copper roofs have a high initial cost but very long lifetime. The roof so often equals style. Tinplate iron commonly called tin roofing was used extensively in canada in the 18th century but it was not as common in the united states until later.

The steep gables of gothic revival a pyramid roof broken by dormers on an american foursquare and as here the extravagant complex asymmetry topping a victorian queen anne house. Some historic roofs were failures from the start based on overambitious and naive use of materials as they were first developed. Another advantage of copper roofing systems is that they are relatively easy to repair. Standing seam metal with concealed fasteners.

But more often lead was used for protective flashing. Depending on the ownership and location of quarries or brickyards stone slates or tiles were also used. For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia. Material of choice was lead and to a lesser extent copper.

Lead as well as copper covered roof surfaces where wood tile or slate shingles were inappropriate because of the roof s pitch or shape. Oak or chestnut shingles were also very fashionable in the 14th century and were seen as less of a fi re risk in urban areas than thatch.