| Ever since man decided to have shelter he has been | | | | serve the purpose. Durability is a major consideration. |
| aware of the roof over his head. First it might have | | | | Ceramic tiles, asphalt shingles, concrete, metal shakes |
| been the stone of a cave. Then, over time he must | | | | or shingles, seamed metal and asbestos are some of |
| have decided to improve upon it. Eventually thatching | | | | the roofing materials now used around the world. |
| a roof with grass or leaves became a good way to | | | | Ceramic tiles were used by the ancient Greeks and |
| keep out the elements. Eventually what we now | | | | Romans. It has a life expectancy of between twenty |
| know as much more advanced technology came | | | | and sixty years depending on the quality, but the |
| along and we now have a variety of materials | | | | cost of ceramic tiles for roofing is very high. By way |
| available to suit the place and condition in which we | | | | of contrast, asphalt shingles which are very common |
| live. | | | | in Europe and North America are made of bitumen |
| Thatching is one of the earliest forms of roofing and | | | | and fiberglass mat. It is comparatively cheap, but has |
| is still practiced in some parts of the world. Banana | | | | a limited life span. |
| leaves are used in the Amazon, coconut palm fronds | | | | Concrete reinforced with fiber or steel is durable and |
| in the Caribbean and Sri Lanka, as well as some parts | | | | widely used in some areas. Metal shakes and shingles |
| of India and the Philippines. Savanna grass is used in | | | | are highly durable. Metal sheets can be fabricated to |
| Africa for thatching. In Britain thatched roofing was | | | | lock together and can be easily installed. The costs |
| very common until the 19th century and even now | | | | for these are on the higher side. Mechanically seamed |
| thatched huts are found in the English and Irish | | | | metal is durable and suitable for low pitch roofs. |
| countryside. | | | | Asbestos is comparatively cheap in both cost and |
| Water reeds and straws of wheat and rice were also | | | | installation but many people avoid it for health |
| used. Thatched roofs have a life of thirty to fifty | | | | reasons, and it is essentially banned in many countries |
| years depending on the material and the | | | | around the world. |
| workmanship. But in places where there is plenty of | | | | Plastics that seal with heat like synthetic rubber are |
| rain and sunshine, thatching lasts only about a year. | | | | very useful for large warehouses and stores which |
| The great advantage of thatching is the excellent | | | | have plain roofs with no protrusions. The sheets can |
| insulation from heat and cold that it provides. | | | | be fused together using adhesive tapes. Heat welded |
| Slate was once used in Britain, but it has been more | | | | asphalt sheets and thermoplastic sheets are also |
| or less discontinued as a readily available roofing | | | | suitable to cover large open areas. Fiberglass felt |
| material because of the extremely high cost. Even | | | | coated heavily with asphalt is another useful |
| with a life expectancy of over a hundred and fifty | | | | commercial roofing material, although its lifespan is |
| years, people these days can't afford such a long | | | | shorter. Galvanized steel sheets last longer than |
| term investment. | | | | ordinary steel and aluminum sheets and can be |
| The materials used for roofing have always been and | | | | effective for leak protection in rainy areas. |
| still are those things which are available easily and | | | | |