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Roofing has changed over the years
Like all other home exteriors, roofing materials and techniques have come a long way over the years. One of the first types of roofs was tile, and it’s still popular in many regions. However, in North Carolina, the most popular roofing materials are asphalt shingle roof and metal roofing.
These two materials have evolved a lot over the decades and have become even more durable, long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Your roofer in Burlington NC can tell you more, but we thought we’d give you this brief history of both roofing materials.
Evolution of Metal Roofing
Large steel roofing panels used to be a popular choice only for agricultural and industrial buildings, as corrugated panels were able to span longer distances, says Architect Magazine . This cut down on material volume and framing weight. Galvanized coatings added a longer service life to the material, which got its start as a roofing material in the 19th century.
The first metals used in roofing were lead and copper. The first sheet iron was manufactured in New Jersey in 1794, followed by zinc galvanized metal to protect against rust in 1837 in France. Tin roofs became popular in this country due to their light weight, low maintenance and low cost.
Metal roofing has continued to make strides over the years. What was once a cheap, highly available material only used for train stations, barns and similar structures has now been transformed into a high-end material used on residential and commercial buildings for its beauty and longevity.
Evolution of Asphalt Shingles
The precursor to asphalt shingles was first invented in the 1800s in this country, whereby roofers would lay down some fabric and coat it with a sticky substance such as pine tar. In the 1840s, heavy paper covered with pine tar and sand was used. Just a few years later, roofers used coal tar, a waste byproduct from the gas light industry, according to Asphalt magazine.
In 1903, a Michigan roofer started cutting asphalt-saturated rolls into individual “shingles.” These were cut by hand, but then machines were invented that used a roller-die to cut them from a long ribbon of felt that was saturated in asphalt. The first strip shingles were created in the 1920s.
Once the 1940s hit, roofers stopped using cotton-based rag felt and turned to celluloid-based felts instead. In the 1960s, fiberglass replaced felt. By the 1980s, fiberglass mats were used exclusively over organic felt. Today, the industry continues to evolve with anything from composition shingles to solar shingles.
Roofing Repair & Installation Burlington, NC
If you’re interested in adding either roofing material to your home, get a free quote when you contact us our Greensboro and Burlington NC roofers at 336-350-1450. We would be happy to point out the differences between the two and which one would benefit your property more.
We are loving our new roof! Travis and his crew did an awesome job. So professional, honest and great to work with! - Angela M.
- Category: Roofing