The slate roofs of many historical buildings are marked by the impeccable attention to design and craftsmanship. More than a necessary feature, these roofs are a part of the charm of historical buildings. In many cases the design of the roof is one of the distinguishing characteristics of certain types of architecture. In a symbiotic relationship, the popularity of these intricate roofs drove up for the demand for slate, while the wide availability of slate sparked architectural creativity in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Slate roofing was an integral part of the architecture of Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, and Tudor homes, to name a few. Slate tiles were laid in patterns by size and color, and a house’s roof was often as decorative as it was functional; the care taken in this style of roofing demands preservation. Since slate tiles are easy to shape and hone, maintaining the integrity of the original design is relatively simple.

To truly preserve an antique slate roof, some forethought is required. Photographs, diagrams, and written records detailing the specifics of the original roof will assist in exactly replicating the original roof. Keeping detailed records of the replacements and repairs made is also a good strategy, as it is important to document any design details that may be revealed during the reconstruction. If the building is on the local register of historic places, there may be publicly available documentation of the building’s construction, including blueprints and diagrams. If much of the roof has deteriorated, these documents could be priceless for restoring the roof to its original beauty.

Slate roofs during the late 19th and early 20th century were typically done in one of three configurations: standard, textural, and graduated. As the name might suggest, standard slate roofing was the prevailing style, owing to its simplicity of design and installation. The tiles are smooth and uniformly sized, spaced, and colored. There is no set size for standard slate roofing; tiles might be large or small, depending on the desired effect. The edging of standard slate roofing tiles is also uniform, and is usually squared.

Textural roofs could be created by using different colors, textures, or sizes of tile. Popular patterns included sunbursts, florals, geometric themes, and custom images like owners’ monograms. Work buildings were characterized by a sparer tile configuration, where gaps between tiles served the purpose of both ventilation and conservation of resources. Textural slate roofs were also popular for their rustic appearance: tiles of different sizes and shapes could have a somewhat willy-nilly appearance that was especially attractive on Tudor homes. Graduated roofs were common on public buildings and churches. These patterns consisted of neat rows which became smaller toward the eaves and the apex of the roof. Occasionally, swirls and flourishes were made using graduated sizes and colors of slate tile. Sometimes special arced pieces were used at the apex of the roof, while other styles favored a simpler overlap.

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Author Bio: Virgnia Slate is the leading supplier to contractors of all forms of slate. Check out our inventory for slate roof quality with exceptionally fast delivery.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: Home, Repair, Renovation, Construction, Budget