There are a variety of materials available for the roofs on buildings, whether they be domestic or commercial. The design of the roof will influence the material choice. A pitched roof may use a different material than a flat roof, for example. Most roofing companies have their preferred materials, but they will also have a wide range of options in terms of look, texture, and durability. For Roofers Bristol, visit www.mogfordprescott.co.uk/roofers-bristol/
Slate is a good option for roofs. Slate is actually made from a shale that contains volcanic ash and clay. The composition of the slate will vary depending on where it is mined. The slate’s composition allows it to be broken down into thin layers while still being durable. In the past, it was an expensive material to work with and purchase, so was only used on high-class buildings like castles and military installations. Around 1300 AD, it is believed that the first slate roofed building was discovered in North Wales.
Slate is used in many countries, not just the UK. It’s a very popular material for roof tiles. Spain is believed to have 90 percent of all slate roofs in the world. Around 1800, the Spanish began to quarry slate for use in domestic buildings. Around 1785 was the time when quarrying slate in America began, although slate roofs had been used since the 1600s.
The development of newer materials that are as durable as slate, but easier to work with and cheaper to produce led the use of slate in roofing to decline rapidly. Slate roofing was rapidly reduced as a result. Slate has slowly become more popular in recent years as people have begun to look at it as a roofing material. This is due to the desire for historic buildings and new constructions in a historical style.
How slate compares with other roofing materials
Slate is popular in the UK partly because it occurs naturally in such quantity. It splits easily into thin sections ideal for roofing, but it needs a pitch of at least 30 degrees. To keep water out, slates must be tightly overlapped and laid on battens over an underlay, with clay or metal ridge tiles along the top, as slate is hard to shape.
Stone is costly and is usually chosen where tradition calls for it, as in the Cotswolds or the Pennines. It is heavy and strong but needs a steep pitch and often a specialist roofer.
Concrete tiles are widely used because they are economical, interlock for good waterproofing, suit shallower pitches and come in many finishes, though they weather faster than stone. Metal has a long history, with copper and lead used for centuries. Aluminium and zinc suit complex curves and are durable, but they can attract thieves and raise environmental concerns.
Slate compared with thatch and flat roofs
Across Britain, most roofs are slate, and there is a good reason for it. The country has a great deal of rainfall, and Welsh slate is far better at keeping out damp weather than some of the traditional alternatives.
Thatched roofs, made from tightly bound straw, give a wonderful rustic look but need an extraordinary amount of maintenance to stay weatherproof. That is one reason slate largely took over as the standard covering for British homes.
Flat roofs are the other common type, although no roof is truly flat. Each one is built with a slight fall, because a completely level surface would collect standing water, rainwater and debris, leading to damp and mould. Whatever the material, a roof is one of the most important parts of a building. A failing one can lead to damp, illness and even injury, so repairs are not an area where cutting costs is wise.