Victorian Slate Roofs

Victorian slate roofing is a 3rd generation family business with a impressive reputation providing licenced and quality tradesmen maintaining the highest standard of craftsmanship guaranteed in slate roof repairs melbourne.

Victorian slate roofs.

Slate tiles began to rise in popularity during the end of the victorian period. This is one of the most distinctive features of a victorian house. The tile surface was usually scored with finger marks to promote drainage. Failure is usually due to the nail fixings becoming corroded causing the slates to slip although with age slates can eventually start to absorb water and become soft.

The roofs are usually ornately decorated with small carved ornaments on the gable ends and the ridge where the two sloping sides of the roof meet. Typically the tiles were 14 15 long 6 7 wide with a curved butt. Tiles roofs found in the mid 18th century moravian settlements in pennsylvania closely resembled those found in germany. A lug on the back allowed the tiles to hang on the lathing without nails or pegs.

Slate tiles are extremely durable resistant to fire and environmentally beneficial. Slate roofing has existed in north america since the 1600s. Roofs during the victorian era were almost exclusively made from slate which set them apart from houses that were built previously. This is due to their durability strong style and high cost.

Slate laid in multicolored decorative patterns was particularly well suited to the mansard roofs of the second empire style the steeply pitch roofs of the gothic revival and high victorian gothic styles and the many prominent roof planes and turrets associated with the queen anne style. During the victorian era however their popularity did not come until the late 19th century when their use grew.