A History of Metal Victorian Roofs Shingles & Sheet Tiles (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of sheet metal roofing? ›

Metal roofing first came over to America in the 18th century. Sheet iron was first manufactured in America by the Revolutionary War financier Robert Morris. Morris had a metal rolling mill near Trenton, New Jersey, where he made the roof of his own Philadelphia mansion in 1794.

While those colonial metal roofs were often simple, hand-formed roofs with vertical seams, the Victorian era saw the development of many “fancier” metal shingle roofs – products that are designed with greater aesthetics. So, yes, from a design standpoint, a metal roof can make every bit of sense for an old house.

When the architectural design choices that have grown to be known as the Victorian style emerged, wood and clay tiles were the roofing materials of choice. For higher end buildings, clay was typically used, whereas wood was sought as a less expensive alternative.

Tin's availability and reasonable cost made it a very common roofing through much of the 19th century. It could be quite durable, but only if kept well painted. Terneplate was first produced in United States in New York in 1825. Joseph Truman of Philadelphia patented the lead coating of tinplate in 1831.

Metal roofs can last 40-70 years, depending on the material. Traditional asphalt roofing materials have an estimated life expectancy of roughly 12-20 years.

In the 3rd century BCE, copper roof shingles were installed atop the Lovamahapaya Temple in Sri Lanka. The Romans used copper as roof covering for the Pantheon in 27 BCE. Centuries later, copper and its alloys were integral in European medieval architecture.

Attics and roofs

Victorian houses were often built with big attic spaces, many of which have been developed over the years to add bedrooms and bathrooms. Roofs are typically slate and sloping, contrasting with the flat tops of the earlier Georgian era. Victorian houses have certainly stood the test of time.

early victorian jewelry trends (1830 - 1860)

Silver, 18-22K gold and colored gold were among the most commonly used metals for jewelry. Colored gold, particularly red and green, was used generously in creating floral and leaf pattern motifs, used most commonly in brooches, rings and buckles.

According to the U.S. Department of Interior's Technical Preservation Services brief, the rise of metal roofing in the U.S. " is principally a 19th-century phenomenon", but lead and copper roofs were used for Rosewell, one of "the grandest mansions" in 18th Century Virginia.

Install Victorian Shingles from left to right, with the first shingle tucked into the J-Clip and extending over the Eave by 1/4” - 1/2”. g. Stagger rows by 1/2 shingle. Chalk lines between each row to keep rows straight.

What is the roof pitch of a Victorian house? ›

High-pitched roofs are often associated with Victorian-era houses. These homes have really steep roofs (18/12).

This is because, during the Victorian era, the use of slate and tile for roofing became more widespread, which allowed for steeper roof pitches. Additionally, the steep roof allowed for more living space in the attic, which was especially useful when homes were getting smaller.

Metal roofing is most durable, but it is also the more expensive option and difficult to install. Shingles are more affordable and easier to install, but they do not last as long. These materials have drastically different aesthetics, so it is important to keep the look of your house in mind.

Ridge: The uppermost, horizontal external angle formed by the intersection of two sloping roof planes. Trim that covers this area is called “ridge cap”.

Flashing (joint covers)

Flashing can be flexible or rigid and is made of galvanized steel, aluminum or plastic. It is a type of resistant moulding that prevents water flowing near roof openings from infiltrating the roof. Flashing is found in valleys and at the bases of chimneys, walls, roof vents and plumbing vents.

The first known use of sheet metal dates back to 4000 BC when it was used to create swords in ancient Mesopotamia. Then, around 1000 BC, Chinese metallurgists began using a process known as annealing to make weapons and tools from iron and steel.

The oldest roof was supposedly made of the skin of a woolly mammoth in Siberia around 42,000 years ago. Soon afterwards, small settlements of huts built with mammoth tusks and branches covered with skins and mud sprung up.

Corrugated iron was invented in London in 1829 by Henry Palmer, an assistant to the great industrial engineer Telford, as a means to roof a new warehouse in the London docks. The idea was simplicity itself.