How were Victorian roofs built?
The Roof. Roofs during the Victorian era were almost exclusively made from slate, which set them apart from houses that were built previously. The roofs are usually ornately decorated with small carved ornaments on the gable ends and the ridge where the two sloping sides of the roof meet.
How long does a Victorian roof last?
You would expect any well-tiled roof to last anywhere up to 60 years. Of course, this depends on how well maintained it has been during that time.
What kind of roof does a Victorian house have?
The durability of slate roofs built during the Victorian era is so great, in fact, that under the right conditions they are reputed to last at least a century, and the underlying structure of the roof usually wears down before most of the slate tiles do.
How can you tell if a house is Victorian?
Some distinctive characteristics of a Victorian property are:
- High pitched roofs.
- Ornate gable trim.
- Bay windows.
- Two over two panel sash windows (supported with a single astragal bar on each sash)
- Sash window horns.
- Decorative brickwork (often in red)
- Stained glass windows.
Can you walk on Fibre cement roof?
Fibre cement roof sheets are generally quite fragile. For this reason, it is important to always use crawling boards or walkways and roof ladders.
What typical defects would you expect to find in a Victorian building?
Common Defects Associated with Victorian Properties
- The Industrial Revolution resulted in a huge increase of houses built during the reign of Queen Victoria (1837 to 1901), which are now a common feature throughout British towns and cities.
- Penetrating Dampness.
- Rising Damp.
- Condensation.
- Lack of sub-floor ventilation.
What size should a valley rafter be?
Most of the time the hip valley rafter is the same size as the common rafter. In this graphic the common rafters are 17 feet long spaced at 16″ on center. The hip valley rafter is 22′-8″ long with the attached jack rafters at 16″ on center.
