The History Of Metal Roofs

As early as the 18th century fear of fire caused many wood shingle or board roofs to be replaced by sheet metal or clay tile.

The history of metal roofs.

Metal and tile roofs may last fifty years or more. Coal tar built up roofs may last forty or more years. Metal roofs can be noisy especially during a heavy rain or hailstorm. Copper in architecture in the 3rd century b c copper roof shingles were installed atop the lovamahapaya temple in sri lanka.

Provide a desired unblemished appearance. Tinplate iron commonly called tin roofing was used extensively in canada in the 18th century but it was not as common in the united states. The history of metal roofing dates back to the 1700s when lead and copper were the main metals used for roofs. While the life of a metal roof is much longer investing in a metal roof only makes sense if you plan to stay in your home long enough to enjoy the cost benefits.

At the turn of the 18th century the first facilities for rolling copper sheet metal were developed in america. Copper has played a significant role in architecture for thousands of years see. Norman manufacturing co 1936. It is extremely durable and can be bent to fit the shape that s needed.

Tin roofs were not used in ordinary residential construction until after the civil war. In 1857 one of the first metal roofs in the south was installed on the u s. Stamped sheet metal roof tiles made to simulate clay tile were popular in the early 20th century. The romans used copper as roof covering for the pantheon in 27 b c.

Some historic roofs were failures from the start based on overambitious and naive use of materials as they were first developed. Of nevada mo was an early producer of the product and still makes two simple versions of the metal roof tiles. The search for alternative roofing materials is not new. Zinc aluminum and copper.

Until recently however metal roofs were prohibitively expensive. The materials were expensive and imported. Some roofs are selected not only for the above functions but also for aesthetics similar to wall cladding. Centuries later copper and its alloys were integral in european medieval architecture.

The mint was thereby fireproofed with a 20gauge galvanized corrugated iron roof on iron trusses. The installation of large tin plates involved a labor intensive standing seam made by bending the edges of each plate upward and then folding the pieces of metal over each other. Sheet metal building materials w. Mint in new orleans.

Single ply roofs may last twenty or more years. Metal roofs can be as much as two or three times more expensive than other roofing materials.