History Of Wood Roof Shingles

It s easy to assume that early man slept out in the open under the stars or was protected from the elements inside a cave.

History of wood roof shingles.

Wooden shingle roofs were prevalent in the north american colonies while in central and southern europe at the same time thatch slate and tile were the prev. The size of each shingle can determine the look and longevity of a given rooftop set. Historical wood roof preservation original wood. However archaeologists have found evidence of very early use of roofs made from a wide variety of substances including animal parts wood rocks and clay.

Dating back to the. The first asphalt based shingle. One of the oldest methods for covering a roof wood shingles or shakes come in a wide variety of shapes styles and materials. National board of fire underwriters launched a campaign to eliminate the use of wood shingles.

People within particular regions developed preferences for the local species of wood that most suited their purposes. A new set of shingles can be cut to replicate an older set on a classic home but it s hard to achieve. Historically shingles were split from straight grained knot free bolts of wood. The size and shape of the shingles as well as the detailing of the shingle roof differed according to regional craft practices.

Here in the south cedar and cypress are common due to their excellent weather resistance. Perhaps surprisingly wood shingles can last for decades without succumbing to algae mold or mildew. However this longevity requires maintenance. These wood shingles provided a major fire risk and the u s.

Wood shingles were popular throughout the country in all periods of building history. Today shingles are mostly made by being cut which distinguishes them from shakes which are made by being split out of a bolt. Typically wood shingles are made from regional species of wood. If you take care of your wood shingle roof properly it can last anywhere from 30 to 40 years.

The use of wooden roof shingles has existed in parts of the world with a long tradition of wooden buildings especially scandinavia and central and eastern europe. The use of wood began years ago primarily in ancient middle eastern times. In colonial times wood was extremely popular in north america thanks to the abundance of land and. Before the invention of the asphalt shingle a popular roofing material were wood shingles.

Nearly all the houses and buildings in colonial chiloé were built with wood and roof shingles were extensively employed in chilota architecture. The cedar shake shingle bureau has been operating since 1915. History of wood roofing ancient middle eastern times.