Historic Metal Roof Types

Replacing the historic roofing material.

Historic metal roof types.

5 types of metal roofing 1. Copper and lead roofs date back to the classic past of rome and greece with iron tin and zinc added in the 19th century. Many roofs of asbestos aluminum stainless steel galvanized steel and lead coated copper may soon have historic values as well. Roofing for historic buildings.

Zincstarted to be used in roofs in the 1700s and remains popular today as an alternative to copper. Awareness of these and other traditions of roofing materials and their detailing will contribute to more sensitive preservation treatments. The two types of joints commonly found are flat seam and raised seam. By the 1400s flat copper sheeting began to be used in europe particularly on churches.

Copperhas always been a popular choice of metal for roofing because of its ease of handling and the beautiful way it ages. Zinc extremely long lasting resistant to corrosion and lowest melting point. Manmade materials only came into general use in the 20th century particularly the broad mixes of asphalt felt and asbestos as well as modern metal formulations like stainless steel and aluminum. Copper and terne rolled roofs were very popular during that vintage terne more so because it was less expensive.

All other types of metal roofing are painted to resist corrosion. Sheet lead and copper have been soldered into flat seam roofs for centuries long before thomas jefferson s 1740s roof at monticello but the more common metal roof type is the standing seam. The two primary shapes of roofs on historic buildings in washington are. Steel three variations.

Here long panels of metal 24 or so wide are first bent up about 1 along both edges. Historic roofing materials in america. Metal roofing comes in sections joined together on site. Aluminum long lasting resistant to salt water corrosion.

Galvanized is limited though says lardas because the metal is not readily formed into more complicated shapes so you see it more in brake formed work in making cornices. In the 1860 s the options for metal roofs were copper lead tin coated iron and terne coated steel. Significance of the roof. Rarely used over an entire residential roof copper is mainly used for accents over bay windows dormers or other areas where a touch of elegance is desired.

Copper extremely long lasting very soft with low melting temperature. For ornamental work such as dormers and cornices the metals are either copper or a mix of sheet zinc and galvanized steel.