Victorian Slate Roof Construction

Slate tiles began to rise in popularity during the end of the victorian period.

Victorian slate roof construction.

This is a testament to their durability. Since their first use slate roofs have been revered as a pinnacle of roofing style. This chapter begins with a brief history of roof coverings used in england and then summarises how roofs must work to protect the building. On many victorian country houses the practice of wood shingling survived the technological advances of metal roofing in the 19th century and near the turn of the century enjoyed a full revival in its namesake the shingle style.

Slate tiles are extremely durable resistant to fire and environmentally beneficial. Victorian slate roof slipped slates gaping holes. Roofing 6 sep 2013 indd 2 12 09 2013 10 01. Imported from wales to colonial america for fire proof roofs in boston philadelphia and new york it was still slow to catch on for houses.

We are quite fortunate in that our house still has its original roof built from slates. Many victorian metal roof shingle and tiles made of sheet metal still exist in outstanding condition today. A victorian slate roof has the traditional look to it in keeping with the age of the property but it does have its problems. Failure is usually due to the nail fixings becoming corroded causing the slates to slip although with age slates can eventually start to absorb water and become soft.

The late 1800s and the rise of slate roofing. On a steeply pitched roof the clipped corners on these two ply red over black laminated shingles evoke the shape and thickness of american victorian slate. Slate laid in multicolored decorative patterns was particularly well suited to the mansard roofs of the second empire style the steeply pitch roofs of the gothic revival and high victorian gothic styles and the many prominent roof planes and turrets associated with the queen anne style. Slate roofing has existed in north america since the 1600s.

If you want to make sure your victorian roof is 100 historically accurate speak with a historian or victorian home expert. Diamonds photo by shutterstock. Lightweight hardwearing and long lasting welsh slate was the most common victorian roof covering. They used 100 square of roofing tile to complete this project including hand cutting all of the slate at angles for the turret.

But replacing flashing on a slate roof can require substantial removal of surrounding slates. Carriage house in georgian brick about 235 per square.