Slate Roof History

Some of the earliest known slate roofing can be found on roman forts in wales and on welsh castles from the 14th century.

Slate roof history.

Slate roofs first appeared in america in the 16th century but it wasn t until 1785 until the first slate quarry opened and slate was made available to general consumers. The history of slate roofing slate is a fine grain homogeneous rock that derives from shale sediment composing of clay or volcanic ash. Slate roofing is mainly sourced from the state of vermont. To find the roots of slate roofing you have to go way back in the history books.

Tar or roofing cement should not be found at chimneys sidewall flashings plumbing vents or elsewhere. Cutting sculpting splitting trimming and hole punching 1. 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. It wasn t widely used in the united states until the late 1800s.

It s malleable breakability yet tough qualities allow it to be broken into thin but durable sheets. It should be considered a temporary unreliable repair. Slate was a common roof covering in europe centuries before it ever appeared on buildings in american in the 1800s.