Victorian Roof Structure

The victorian style building dominated architectural design between the 1830s and 1910s.

Victorian roof structure.

Poorly replaced roof coverings. The most popular materials used for victorian metal roof shingles also changed several times during the period. Slate was commonly used to cover the roofs of victorian buildings and it is not uncommon to see roofs where the original slates have been replaced with concrete tiles. Complex roof lines became the rage as architects worked to create designs that would pull the eye to the top of the house.

The fact that so many historic roofs have survived for centuries is a testimony to the design materials and skills used on traditional roofs even though few would fully. Roof shapes differ greatly from region to region. 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 main factors which influence the shape of roofs are the climate and the materials available for roof structure and the outer covering.

The roof structure is also likely to be the oldest and least altered part of a historic building which can yield important information about its age and significance. Although the buildings of this 80 year period shared many similarities there were also noticeable differences between victorian era buildings constructed at different times. Usages vary slightly from region to region or from one builder or architect to another. Carved brackets at the eaves were common.

Roof terminology is also not rigidly defined. Roof shapes became steeper in victorian homes.