All About Mansard Roofing

The mansard roof was named after Francios Masart, who did not invent this style and shape of roof, but often used it in his architectural designs during the 16th Century. It became famous when Pierre Lescot designed the Louvre Palace and soon the design would become so popular that many of the French Renaissance buildings began to us this style of roofing. Not long after the mansard roof became a common style to use on Victorian buildings in both America and Europe. So what is a mansard roof? This is a style of roofing that uses two slopes from the top ridge down to the eave. The first pitch of the roof is often very slightly pitched and sometimes almost flat. While the second portion of the slope is steeply pitched and often almost vertical. This will allow for more interior space to be used than other more common roof styles.

Mansard style homes were built during the late 1800s, by mansard style homes this means that their roofs were designed with a concave or convex style mansard roof. Thick cornices were used at the bottom and the top of the roof to draw attention to this special detail of the home. This type of roof provided larger attic space which then allowed more livable and usable space. Many homes took on this new option for adding more living space just by altering the roof style.

Mansard roofing is considered a major design feature of a housing structure. With the steeper pitched mansard roof, the type of tile or other roofing material selected will be important. Clay tiles are not commonly used on mansard style roofing because of its curved form. The best option is slate tile. Slate tiles have been used on roofs since the 17th century. Slate was hard to come by in the 17th Century and a house roofed in slate would be considered highly unusual. By the 19th Century and well into the 20th Century, it has become the most popular type of roofing for a mansard style home. Today, older mansard homes are having their curved wooden tiles replaced with slate tiles since slate can provide a long lasting roof that also has fireproof qualities. Offered in several colors it is a wonderful way to decorate your home that has a a roof designed to show off.

If replacing a historic roof you should seek a professional roofer for advice. At times only a portion of the roof will need replacement but you will need roofing materials that will match your existing roof. Many manufacturers offer historic roofing materials which can help restore your home to its original condition. Alternative materials must sometimes be used because of current building codes. Often you can find roofing material that closely resembles your original mansard roofing, enabling you to meet all building codes. Maintenance of newer materials available today is easier to maintain and often built to withstand weather conditions better than the materials used long ago. Before restoring your historical home, take into consideration the detailing and overall look of your home. Will adding a new roofing material change the look of your home? Is so, you may want to try locating a replica of the original material.

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