18th Century Roofing Materials

Roofs of the 17th and 18th centuries typically were covered by cedar or pine shingles.

18th century roofing materials.

Thomas jefferson was an early advocate of tin roofing and he installed a standingseam tin roof on monticello ca. Standing seam metal with concealed fasteners. 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.

Lead as well as copper covered roof surfaces where wood tile or slate shingles were inappropriate because of the roof s pitch or shape. The tiles themselves are flat and rectangular with a common measurement of around 10 by 6 by. 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. For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia.

Some historic roofs were failures from the start based on overambitious and naive use of materials as they were first developed. Depending on the ownership and location of quarries or brickyards stone slates or tiles were also used. Tests on european copper roofs from the 18th century showed that in theory copper roofs can last one thousand years. For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia.

These clay materials were ideal as a precaution against fires which had engulfed london in 1666 and charred boston in 1679. 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 roof so often equals style. Clay tiles were seen as early as the 17th century and had largely been used by european settlers in such settlements as jamestown new york and boston.

The search for alternative roofing materials is not new. Unlike wood slate is a highly durable inflammable rot and insect resistant material. Material of choice was lead and to a lesser extent copper. But more often lead was used for protective flashing.

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. Another advantage of copper roofing systems is that they are relatively easy to repair.