Looking back at history is one of the best ways to understand how industries and technologies have evolved as we have. It can help us understand how things began along with why things have changed to the way they are today.
Most people look back at historical events like wars, civil rights movements, discoveries of new medicines, and famous art & cultural events to understand our history.
Not everyone would think that roofing industries could have a rich and detailed history, but we do! Types of roof materials and techniques have changed drastically over the years with each new material and protocol getting more efficient and safer for all involved.
In this post, let the roofing experts at Farina Roofing guide you through a brief history of roofing. Let’s get started!
As humans began to learn how to construct shelters and use tools, we also began to craft primitive roofs over our heads. Early humans would use everything from scraps of wood to plant materials to animal corpses in order to create early roofs, huts, and homes.
The types of materials would depend on where the civilization was situated. African nations often built mud and straw roofs. Those in tropical climates were known to use palm fronts and other leaves. Native Americans often used animal products and hides along with tree bark to create some of the first roofs.
One of the next advancements in roofing materials happened during this time period. While the exact date isn’t known, many Chinese civilizations began to use clay tiles for their roofing needs during this time period.
Europeans eventually followed suit with their own clay tiles thousands of years later with the rise of the Ancient Greeks and Romans.
Northern Europeans began to use wood tiles, other forms of wood, and slate (a type of rock) for their roofs during this time and beyond. In fact, slate is still a popular roofing material in many European countries.
Baked clay is still common throughout Europe with distinctive terra-cotta roofs adorning many countries like Greece, France, Italy, and more.
Let’s take a bit of a jump forward to look at the next big trend in roofing materials: thatching. Thatch roofs were particularly common & popular in Britain, areas of Europe, and tropical regions like Hawaii and Bali.
Thatch roofs use vegetation and plant material in densely packed groups to create a roof. In Europe, people mostly use straw, water reeds, and branches to create thatch roofs. Kenyan nations and other civilizations in Africa often used sugar cane reed as material for their thatch roofs. More tropical regions use palm fronds and branches.
Thatch roofs were also used in early American homes, particularly for farmhouses, barns, and rural locations.
Metal roofing also has a long history right alongside clay tiles and thatch roofs. It’s easily bendable into a proper shape, protects buildings very well, and is extremely durable.
However, historically, metal roofs were very expensive to create and install until very recently. This means that throughout history, metal roofs were often reserved for the wealthy elite in societies or for very important projects like churches and government buildings.
Gold-plated tiles and copper tiles were common for these special projects. For example, the Lowa Maha Paya Temple in Sri Lanka built in 300 BC had a roof made of copper shingles.
A metal roof is among the oldest types of roofing materials available. Most metal roof systems now use corrugated galvanized steel. Other common metal roofing materials include aluminum and tin.
As time went on, modern roofing materials with better protection and longevity have emerged. Some of the most popular that Farina works with include Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) Roofing (a common commercial roof type), built-up roofing, asphalt shingles, wood shingles, clay and/or concrete tiles… amongst others.
Modern roofing materials take advantage of cheaper manufacturing prices, technological advancements, and installation techniques that can help roofs last longer and work more efficiently.
Farina Roofing has worked with all different types of roof materials. From rubber roofing to slate roofing, from commercial roofing to residential roofing, we’ve done it and we’ve got you covered.
Working with us means you’re getting an expert in all types of roof materials, types, and applications. Contact us to ask any more questions or to schedule a consultation to speak about your roofing needs.
781-648-5446
