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History Of Roofing In America

The history of roofing hails back thousands of years. What started as a practical shelter against the elements has become an integral part of a home's aesthetic. From animal skins, mud and sticks to today's Fancy-Cutt™ shingles and decorative cedar shingles — here’s a brief account of American roof history.

Roofing Materials Throughout History

Early people used what they found in their natural environment to protect themselves from weather. Archaeologists have discovered that early humans made roofs from materials like animal skins, branches, rocks and clay. 

In tropical settings, palm fronds were widespread, while Africa's people favored mud and straw. The Plains Indians of North America used buffalo and deer hides to fashion tipis. Wood is a roofing material that has spanned the ages, tracing back to ancient times and continuing to serve as a popular and attractive solution today. 

The History Of Wood Roofing In America

Wood roofs are an old-world tradition. The ancient Middle East used wood to build houses, temples and buildings because of the material's durability and availability. By colonial times, wood became a widely used and accepted roofing material in North America, and it continues to be a covetable roof type throughout the nation to this day.

Colonial Roofing Materials

During colonial times, wood became a prominent building material countrywide because of its accessibility and abundance. This period's wood roofs and buildings were largely influenced by French, Dutch, German, Georgian and mid-Atlantic colonial architecture.

The earliest settlers benefited from the expansive forest regions across North America. Many settlers used wood to make shingles, as doing so required only simple tools. These wood shingles were ideal for roofing thanks to their lightweight design and easy installation

At this time, Western Red Cedar wood was widely used by Native cultures as well. Depending on local availability, indigenous people also used pine, redwood, oak, eastern white cedar, Cypress and Alaskan yellow cedar — which is actually another member of the Cypress family — to make wooden shakes. 

18th Century Roofing Materials

In North America, people started treating wood shingle surfaces in the 18th century. People used pine pitch, linseed oil and brick dust to coat the shingles for protection against the sun, rain and other elements that cause premature deterioration. 

During the 18th century, residents treated wood shingles to yield different colors for aesthetic purposes. Gray, brown and red were popular, while some inhabitants preferred the natural light brown of untreated wood.

19th Century And Modern Roofing Materials

In the 19th century, cedar wood shingles and shakes became the most prevalent source of roofing materials for homes and public buildings. White pine was widely used as well.

A notable point in the history of wood roofing was the building of many distinct properties in Shaker Heights, Ohio, during the early 1900s. A roofing company called Creo-Dipt sold cedar shingles prestained and dipped in creosote-based stains for roofers to install quickly and easily. These shingles became favored nationwide as a way to imitate the coveted English thatch roof. Creo-Dipt's shingles spread from coast to coast until the Great Depression came into full swing.

The evolution of roofing accelerated with modern materials. In the 1920s, roofing materials included asphalt, slate, tin, galvanized steel, concrete tiles and wood shingles. Wood roofs were favored for their natural beauty and ability to lend warmth and charm to homes. These roofs were typically crafted with redwood and cedar shingles due to their durability, decay resistance and ability to withstand the elements. As the 1930s came around, rolled roofing gained popularity as well. 

By the 1980s, many homeowners throughout the country wanted to replace their cedar roofs. Custom Shingles helped meet the demand. A contractor requested customized shingles aligned with the English thatch roof style popularized in the early 1900s. The request set in motion the birth of steam-bending shingles and the revival of the unique, sophisticated thatch-effect roof styles that are popular to this day.

Today's wood roofing designs result from a long legacy of human ingenuity. The designs can still be striking and charming, celebrating bygone eras while leveraging technological advancements to offer durable, energy-efficient, sustainable and aesthetically pleasing designs.

Explore The Possibilities Of Roofing Materials 

Roofing materials may have evolved with time, but to this day, they offer residents shelter and give homes aesthetic appeal. Custom Shingles has over four decades of experience providing premier decorative wood shingles. We specialize in unique designs, offering architects, homeowners and builders custom-cut, shaped and steam-bent shingles and shakes

Explore our cedar shingle portfolio gallery to get inspired or contact our team online to discuss your options.