History Of Roofing In Usa

During some periods in the history of architecture the roof imparts much of the architectural character.

History of roofing in usa.

As the leading roofing materials company in north america we re proud to help habitat for humanity put roofs over the heads of families in need of decent affordable housing. The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers the available roofing. In the united states it was only in the late 1800s when slate roofing would become available to more than just the elites. Here is some good information on the u s.

In america slate roofs did appear in the 1600s but the first quarry did not open until 1785. A weather tight roof is basic in the preservation of a structure regardless of its age size or design. For example a lead roof covered rosewell one of the grandest mansions in 18th century virginia. A roof is part of the building envelope.

It s specialization in this stone remains to this day since almost 90 of european slate roofing originates from spain. At gaf we support habitat s philosophy of helping to provide a hand up not a handout to people and families founded in 1976 habitat has more than 1 500 local. In the system that allows a building to work as a shelter the roof sheds the rain shades from the sun and buffers the weather. History of metal roofing.

Metal roofing in america is principally a 19th century phenomenon. Barrett s hand book on roofing and waterproofing for architects engineers and builders barrett manufacturing co 1896. The development of built up roofing comprising alternating layers of asphalt impregnated fabric and bituminous coatings changed the shape of buildings quite literally in the temperate regions of the u s the steep slope roof was no longer necessary for rain. Before then the only metals commonly used were lead and copper.

Much of the slate roofing produced today comes from the state of vermont.