1800 Victorian Roofs

The late 1800s and the rise of slate roofing.

1800 victorian roofs.

Many victorian metal roof shingle and tiles made of sheet metal still exist in outstanding condition today. Rooftops of terraced houses in london. Affordable property and housing markets in the capital. Victorian roof tops in the new forest town of lyndhurst hampshire uk.

Slate roofing has existed in north america since the 1600s. During the late 1800s one of the most popular house styles was the gable front house according to artisans of the valley. In the united states second empire or mansard was a victorian style popular from the 1860s through the 1880s. Victorian architecture in america is not just one style but many design styles each with its own unique array of features.

During that period a distinct form of residential architecture was developed and became popular. 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. Many pantiles s curved tiles as well as flat roofing tiles were used in jamestown virginia. Parapet roofs are similar but with the main gutter running directly behind the front wall.

In some cities such as new york and boston clay was popularly used as a precaution against such fires as those that engulfed london in 1666 and scorched boston in 1679. There is no one size fits all roofing material for a victorian home but using your current roof as a guide will be the best indicator of what materials to use. This is a testament to their durability. London skyline victorian mansion block roof tops looking north from chelsea london.

If you want to make sure your victorian roof is 100 historically accurate speak with a historian or victorian home expert. Since their first use slate roofs have been revered as a pinnacle of roofing style. Just a couple of damaged or missing tiles or slates will quickly allow water to penetrate a building s fabric resulting in damage to the timbers and ceilings below. Early victorian butterfly roofs some early victorian townhouses with elegant georgian style façades conceal butterfly roofs nestling behind parapet walls.

The victorian era is that time period that matches the reign of england s queen victoria from 1837 to 1901. European settlers used clay tile for roofing as early as the mid 17th century. These are m shaped with a valley gutter running down the middle. Today mansard style roofs are occasionally used in one and two story apartment buildings restaurants and neo eclectic houses.

Whether you re renovating a house or just performing an exterior health check ignoring a poorly maintained roof can be disastrous.