Roof History: The Oldest Roofing Materials
In this post, you will discover what the oldest roof material is and how far roofing has come in terms of the materials used in construction for both homes and businesses.
During the dawn of civilization, our ancestors needed to be more creative when building their homes, more so when it came to their roofs. Although primitive, how wise our ancestors were when it came to choosing roofing materials for their homes may just well surprise you.
Thatched Roof
The term thatching is the process of building a roof using only dry vegetation. It is widely considered one of the oldest methods when it comes to roof construction. The materials, which include water reeds, straw, and palm fronds, were, and still are, readily available.
Stone Roofs
This is another ancient roofing material still used today in the form of slate. The original stone roofs were cobbled, very similar to old roads, and were placed on top of a wood frame. Similar to a thatched roof, it was a common sight in the countryside, especially in England.
Even then, stone was praised for its durability, wind resistance, and being fire resistant. Slate is today’s incarnation of old stone roofs that have been refined using modern techniques that enhance their durability and weather resilience.
Clay Roofs
This is another ancient material that has not changed that much in its appearance, which is a testament to its durability. Clay tiles were a common sight in ancient Rome, Greece, and Constantinople, and they eventually found their way into England and the Americas. Houses that have this type of roof are referred to as “Mediterranean”, which is a nod to the location of the original users.
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