Historic Roof Types

Roofing has a long and interesting history which has led us to our great selection of roofing material choices and styles today.

Historic roof types.

Sloping roofs come in many different varieties. The gable is the wall created from a gable roof when you close up a two planed roof triangular walls result on each end defining the gables. The simplest is the lean to or shed which has only one slope a roof with two slopes that form an a or triangle is called a gable or pitched roof this type of roof was used as early as the temples of ancient greece and has been a staple of domestic architecture in northern europe and the americas for many centuries. It s easy to assume that early man slept out in the open under the stars or was protected from the elements inside a cave.

With some exceptions most historic roofing materials are available today. Also different architectural styles will use the same type of roof. If not an architect or preservation group who has previously worked with the same type material may be able to recommend suppliers. Professional advice will be needed to assess the various aspects of replacing a historic roof.

May 14 2020 original. The wall gable is similar to a classical pediment but more simple and functional like a basic element of laugier s primitive hut. Intricate roofs have many parts that incorporate several of the basic roof designs such as a gable roof sitting atop a gambrel or variations of the gable valley roof design using one or a variety of different types of roof trusses also see our very detailed diagrams showing the different parts of a roof truss. In its massing pitch and material a roof indicates house style.

Asphalt shingles and roll roofing were used in the 1890s. While some of these historic roof types can be quite expensive some are very competitive with quality asphalt shingles. Awareness of these and other traditions of roofing materials and their detailing will contribute to more sensitive preservation treatments. As seen here a front gable became the perfect entryway to a suburban garage in the age of the private automobile.

Early roofs seem picturesque to us today. Here s a quick look at some of that history. This type of roof shingle can also be used for siding on dormers or other house accents. Such extreme intervention however is not usual.

Many roofs of asbestos aluminum stainless steel galvanized steel and lead coated copper may soon have historic values as well. Roof materials at the dawn of civilization. Also having a roof that lasts for generations and doesn t have to be peeled off and thrown in a landfill every 20 years is good for the environment. More typical is the need to furnish a new roof that is to replace the wooden shingles asphalt shingles slate shingles or metal covering the roof.

Clay roofing tiles are also called architectural terracotta clay tiles.