Parapets became a popular feature during the early Georgian period. This was partly because of its classical looks and also because it helped prevent the spread of fire to a roof. It was fashionable to hide the roof from view at street level. A parapet could also accommodate the water drainage that lay hidden behind it.

Properties were larger in the Georgian period than every before. They tended to be at least two levels high and two rooms deep. This meant that a greater roof was needed to cover the building. All the added weight of roof tiles meant that the best way to roof the house was a double pitch roof which helped spread the weight.

When the lighter welsh slate became available later in the Georgian period, a single shallower pitch roof became possible. In the larger houses a Mansard roof became desirable and this style allowed the attic space to be used as servant quarters.

 

Georgian Roofs

Parapets & Shallow Pitch Roofs Products

Hayday Construction: shallow pitch roofing

Slate Tiles: Building Design

Roofing and Guttering: DIYnot

Slates and Tiles: Bricks & Brass

Grey Slate and Stone Supplies

 

Useful Links to Articles

Structural Engineering Blogspot

Georgian Houses and Homes: Woodlands Junior School

Georgian Slate Roofs: My Brighton & Hove

 

Building flat roofs with parapets: YouTube

 

Useful Research Websites

BBC Homes 1920's:

BBC Homes 1930's

Hidden House History

Francis Frith Photo Archive

The Geffrye Museum

English Architecture: Britain Express

Looking at Buildings: Pevsner Architectural Guides

 

Forum Debates

Channel 4 Homes Forum

Problems with a Georgian double-pitch roof with a valley: Telegraph

Tiling for a shallow pitch: DIYnot

How To Repair Brickwork- Youtube

 

Georgian House Style

Georgian & Regency Houses Explained

Georgian Architectural Designs and Details

 

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