Part of that story has to be about the changing materials from which roofing is made.
Victorian house roof material.
Roof shapes became steeper in victorian homes.
Roofs traditionally take the form of a giant triangle with the sides made from timber rafters propped up against each.
The beauty of victorian homes makes finding the best victorian roof material a worthwhile endeavor.
And the flat roof of a modern house each one has a story to tell.
Complex roof lines became the rage as architects worked to create designs that would pull the eye to the top of the house.
After 1840 stationary and portable mills produced the sawn shingles common for queen anne and shingle style houses of the victorian period often stained in greens or earth tones.
The flamboyant cones and spires of late 19th century queen annes.
If you have a true colonial era house say a new england georgian or a gambrel roofed dutch colonial revival or a shingle style house better stick with wood shingles or a close modern approximation.
New siding materials and ornate trim pieces gave way to fancier home designs.
The red tiled roofs of spanish colonials.
Interested in replacing your victorian home s roof and live in the san fransico.
It s really an opportunity to upgrade your home in terms of look style and color says tom bollnow senior director of technical services for the national roofing.
The island house built by glenn layton homes in paradise key south beach jacksonville beach florida.
In its massing pitch and in the material you choose to cover it the roof is a big indicator of house style.
Lead as well as copper covered roof surfaces where wood tile or slate shingles were inappropriate because of the roof s pitch or shape.
For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia.
The broad low spread of the bungalow roof.
It may take some time and patience to find the best material for your victorian home but retaining its historical charm will be well worth the expense and effort.
This feature is an edited extract from the victorian edwardian house manual by ian rock published by haynes.
Carved brackets at the eaves were common.
While roof framing preparation and proper installation are always important the material you choose for your roof can bring the exterior of your home to the next level.
But more often lead was used for protective flashing.