Roofing shingles have been around for centuries, enduring as one of the most popular and practical roof covering materials. Simple in concept — overlapping rows of flat panels — shingles have taken many forms over history as technology and materials advanced. Let’s explore the winding timeline of roofing shingle development, from humble hand-split beginnings to the engineered modern varieties dominating houses today.
Early History of Roof Coverings
Long before industrial manufacturing, roof coverings needed to rely on local natural materials. Thatch roofing, constructed from layers of dried grasses, reeds, palm fronds, or straw, provided water-shedding protection for primitive structures. Wood planks or slate rock were also used when available.
Thatched roofs had drawbacks though — they rotted over time, were susceptible to mold and pests, and posed a major fire hazard. More permanent, weather-resistant solutions were needed as human settlements became more established.
The Origins of Wood Roof Shingles
Wood shingles emerged as longer-lasting alternatives to primitive thatch roofing. Logs and timber could be hand-split into thin planks with a mallet, hatchet, froe or draw-knife. These rough shingles overlapped in cascading layers to create a water-resistant composite roof.
Wood shingles were lightweight and inexpensive to produce locally. Softwoods like cedar and pine had natural oils that resisted rot and insects. The overlapping design shed water efficiently. Hand-split shingles remained unchanged for centuries as the go-to primitive roofing method.
Development of Sawn Wood Shingles
Eventually, industrialization and water powered sawmills enabled wood shingles to be produced in higher quality and volume. Instead of manually splitting logs, lumber could be cut into uniform shingle planks by machine. This created more consistent sizing and smooth edges.
Sawn shingles increased durability, especially when made from dense old-growth heartwood. Red cedar emerged as the premium wood shingle material, coveted for its natural decay resistance. Though still manually installed, sawn cedar shingles became common by the mid-19th century on houses across America.
Emergence of Asphalt Shingles
Wood shingles had drawbacks of flammability and eventual wear. By the early 1900s, petroleum-based asphalt coatings were being applied to various materials for weatherproofing. This included coating felt paper mats with asphalt to create material that evolved into today’s asphalt roofing shingles.
Asphalt impregnation added fire resistance and waterproofing durability to shingles. In 1901, the first asphalt shingles were cut from coated felt rolls. This led to the distinctive shingle form being manufactured directly rather than created on-site. Asphalt shingles required no maintenance compared to wood. Their convenient installation and affordability caused swift industry adoption.
Advances in Asphalt Shingle Design
Those original asphalt shingles of a century ago look primitive compared to today’s engineered varieties. New manufacturing innovations over the decades improved weathering durability, fire resistance and stylistic choices.
Key Innovations:
- Embedding mineral granule surfacing for UV protection and style options
- Multi-layer laminate construction with tougher base materials
- Added fiberglass mat reinforcement for tear-resistance
- Dimensions shifted from individual shingles to bundled strips
- Improved sealant strips to resist wind uplift
- Introduction of 30, 40 and 50-year rated shingles
These incremental enhancements made contemporary asphalt shingles a roofing staple for quality and convenience. Homeowners now have extensive style options from classic slate lookalikes to designer architectural shapes and colors while enjoying durability.
Slate and Tile Roofing Materials Emerge
Wood shingles weren’t the only traditional roofing material. Slate stone has been used since Roman times for its incredible durability and water shedding capabilities. England and France saw extensive slate quarrying in the 1800s. Though brittle and costly, slate roofing remains desirable today.
Similarly, clay tiles dating back to ancient China have long roofed Mediterranean and European buildings, prized for longevity despite weight. Concrete roof tiles also gained popularity in the 1900s, copying the aesthetic while cheaper and lighter. These traditional rigid roofing materials maintain devoted followers today.
Metal Roofing – The Futuristic Alternative
Looking forward, metal roofing represents an advanced alternative to asphalt shingles. Going back centuries, copper and lead sheets protected roofs, but lacked affordability. Today’s aluminum, galvanized steel and titanium-zinc alloys finally bring cost-effective metal roofing within reach.
With eco-benefits like recyclability, energy efficiency, lightweight construction and longevity measured in generations rather than decades, metal roofs are gaining converts, especially in hot climates. Though still a fractional share of the market, metal continues making inroads as sustainability factors grow in importance. Some types even mimic shingles or tiles.
The Never-Ending Evolution of Roofing Technology
Roofing shingles have come a long way from crude thatch beginnings, improving incrementally as manufacturing and materials science opened new possibilities century after century. Wood, then asphalt and slate, then advanced synthetics and metals each represented leaps strengthening the roof over our heads.
Who knows what the future may hold? Maybe solar shingles that also generate electricity, or self-repairing nanotech coatings that last a lifetime. But even humble asphalt has seen incredible advancement. Roofing will likely continue this innovation trajectory as long as we need shelter from the rain and sun. If your home needs new roofing, weigh the many options against your budget and lifestyle. The choices today would astonish our primitive forebears.