Slate Roof History
It wasn t widely used in the united states until the late 1800s.
Slate roof history. Slate roofing is mainly sourced from the state of vermont. The first recorded slate roof of a private home is reported to be in north wales england around 1300a d. To find the roots of slate roofing you have to go way back in the history books. Slate roofs were introduced in boston as early as 1654 and philadelphia in 1699 regarding slate roofing manufacturing today nps reports tiles are still manufactured by hand using traditional methods in a five step process.
Cutting sculpting splitting trimming and hole punching 1. Slate was a common roof covering in europe centuries before it ever appeared on buildings in american in the 1800s. Some of the earliest known slate roofing can be found on roman forts in wales and on welsh castles from the 14th century. More than 700 years in fact as there is evidence that slate was used as a roofing material in north wales england during the early 14th century.
The history of slate roofing slate is a fine grain homogeneous rock that derives from shale sediment composing of clay or volcanic ash. Tar or roofing cement should not be found at chimneys sidewall flashings plumbing vents or elsewhere. It should be considered a temporary unreliable repair.