South Louisiana Roofing

How Roofing Materials Have Changed Throughout History

POSTED ON: May 1, 2022

It can be said that roofs are the most important part of your home. A home with no roof does not provide much shelter from the elements. Roofs in Baton Rouge, LA protect your valuables, the structural integrity of your home, and your investment. There have been a lot of materials used throughout history, and different regions across the globe developed their own ancient techniques and materials, some of which are still in use today. Ancient China used clay roof tiles on their ancient structures, which is a material the roofing industry in Baton Rouge, LA is familiar with. The clay roof tiles in ancient China provided a unique look for the structures that makes them immediately recognizable even today.

European civilizations in the first century A.D. used slate and tiles to roof their buildings. However, by the eighth century slate and tile roofs were replaced with thatched roofs in western Europe, with wooden shingles following that innovation by the eleventh century. While thatched roofs (roofs made from tightly packed dry vegetation) and wooden shingles were great structurally, they did pose a problem when it came to fires: they were extremely flammable. In tightly packed historic cities, this allowed fires to spread quickly and devastatingly, which led to structures replacing thatched and wooden shingled roofs with clay. As clay became more widely used, mass production of clay roofing tiles became essential.

While roofing materials in Baton Rouge, LA have seen dramatic changes throughout history, there are the tried-and-true favorites that have maintained their place in the roofing industry. Slate and clay tiles are still used today and are long-lasting options that provide great curb appeal. Asphalt shingles and metal roofing are newer materials but have still been in use for decades without much change.