ABSTRACT

In recent decades concrete roof tiles, profiled steel sheeting and felt have tended to replace the more traditional thatch, slate, stone and lead. These replacements are mass manufactured and generally cheaper than traditional materials. However, with over 400,000 listed buildings in the United Kingdom, the majority of which were built pre-1900, it is vital to understand the roofing materials used on traditional buildings. We will therefore examine thatch, slate/stone and metals in turn.