Historic Building Roof Design

Paul s cathedral in london.
Historic building roof design. In the surrounding historic context. In a typical masonry wall assembly mortar might comprise 20 to 25 percent of the masonry wall system. The design of a roof shape is based on a number of considerations including the building s height use wall materials and structural elements. The two primary shapes of roofs on historic buildings in washington are flat and sloped.
In addition a weathertight roof is essential to the longterm preservation of the entire structure. Unfortunately thechoice of an inappropriate shingle or poor installation can severely detractfrom the building s historic appearance. Flat roofs most rowhouses semi attached residential buildings and commercial buildings have flat roofs. In some cities such as new york and boston clay was popularly used as a precaution against such fire as those that engulfed london in 1666 and scorched boston in 1679.
The earliest roofs constructed by man were probably thatched roofs that were made of straw leaves. The roof with its shape. Photo by amy woods. The colour and material of the roof complement the structural integrity of a building.
Historic masonry materials. Special problems inherent in the design of an elaborate historic roof can be controlled through regular maintenance. A roof is an integral part of a building and people try to personalise the roof designs to achieve optimum architectural splendour. European settlers used clay tile for roofing as early as the mid 17th century.
Historic masonry building illustrating many horizontal facing surfaces. Roof covering of the top of a building serving to protect against rain snow sunlight wind and extremes of temperature roofs have been constructed in a wide variety of forms flat pitched vaulted domed or in combinations as dictated by technical economic or aesthetic considerations. Features such as cresting dormers cupolas and chimneys. There are a number of commercially available wooden roofing products as wellas custom roofers who can supply specially made shingles for historicpreservation projects.
Many pantiles s curved tiles as well as flat roofing tiles were used in jamestown virginia. Use a roof form that is consistent with the original structure s roof form and those of structures in the surrounding historic context in terms of pitch orientation and complexity. Historic masonry materials primarily refer to brick terra cotta stone concrete block cast stone and secondarily mortar. Historic roofing materials in america.
The shape and detailing are essential elements of the building s historic character and should not be modified despite the use of alternative surface materials. Design the roof of a new addition to be compatible with the original structure and surrounding historic context.