Slate Roof History

Slate roofs first appeared in america in the 16th century but it wasn t until 1785 until the first slate quarry opened and slate was made available to general consumers.

Slate roof history.

Slate roofs were introduced in boston as early as 1654 and philadelphia in 1699. Slate roofing is mainly sourced from the state of vermont. More than 700 years in fact as there is evidence that slate was used as a roofing material in north wales england during the early 14th century. Tar or roofing cement should not be found at chimneys sidewall flashings plumbing vents or elsewhere.

It s malleable breakability yet tough qualities allow it to be broken into thin but durable sheets. Slate roof repair history helps diagnose the condition of a slate roof tar or roofing mastic is normally an indication of improper maintenance. It should be considered a temporary unreliable repair. Patrick s cathedral new york was made of monson slate as is the headstone of john f.

How is slate used in buildings. Slate quarrying began in the uk and north wales hundreds of years ago. The history of slate roofing slate is a fine grain homogeneous rock that derives from shale sediment composing of clay or volcanic ash. To find the roots of slate roofing you have to go way back in the history books.

Some of the earliest known slate roofing can be found on roman forts in wales and on welsh castles from the 14th century. The roof of st. Slate can be used as a roofing material or as floor tiling. The first recorded slate roof of a private home is reported to be in north wales england around 1300a d.

Slate was a common roof covering in europe centuries before it ever appeared on buildings in american in the 1800s. It wasn t widely used in the united states until the late 1800s. During the 20th century several new materials were developed for low and steep sloped roofs. Archeological excavations at jamestown virginia have unearthed roofing slate in strata dating from 1625 1650 and 1640 1670.

With the influx of uk and welsh immigrants into australia in the latter half of the 19th century slate roofs became a central feature in australian building construction. Slate roofs were introduced in boston as early as 1654 and philadelphia in 1699 regarding slate roofing manufacturing today nps reports tiles are still manufactured by hand using traditional methods in a five step process. Cutting sculpting splitting trimming and hole punching 1.