Historic Roof Types

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.

Historic roof types. With some exceptions most historic roofing materials are available today. If not an architect or preservation group who has previously worked with the same type material may be able to recommend suppliers. Sloping roofs come in many different varieties. 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.

The wall gable is similar to a classical pediment but more simple and functional like a basic element of laugier s primitive hut. Roofing has a long and interesting history which has led us to our great selection of roofing material choices and styles today. May 14 2020 original. 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.

Professional advice will be needed to assess the various aspects of replacing a historic roof. This type of roof shingle can also be used for siding on dormers or other house accents. Clay roof tiles clay shingles are one of the best types of roofing materials you can install on a home and are also considered a cool roofing type of roof shingle. Many roofs of asbestos aluminum stainless steel galvanized steel and lead coated copper may soon have historic values as well.

Also different architectural styles will use the same type of roof. 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. In its massing pitch and material a roof indicates house style. Early roofs seem picturesque to us today.

Clay roofing tiles are also called architectural terracotta clay tiles. The form of a roof tells something of the region and its climate local building traditions and even architectural style. Such extreme intervention however is not usual. Roof materials at the dawn of civilization.

As seen here a front gable became the perfect entryway to a suburban garage in the age of the private automobile. While some of these historic roof types can be quite expensive some are very competitive with quality asphalt shingles. 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. Replacing one type of roofing with another can produce a drastic change in the appearance of historic buildings.

Asphalt shingles and roll roofing were used in the 1890s.