Every roof on Earth.
Materials, methods, standards, companies and history, from the earliest known shelters to the newest membranes. Independent, plainly written, and every entry sourced.
Browse by topic
All entries A–Z →Roofing around the world
All 200 countries and territories: climate, history from the earliest evidence, traditional roofs, today's materials, codes and landmark roofs.
350 entries →Roofing Materials
Metal, slate, tile, shingle, wood, thatch and every other material used to cover a pitched roof.
85 entries →Low-Slope & Flat Roof Systems
Membranes, built-up roofing, coatings, insulation and decks for flat and low-slope roofs.
51 entries →Roof Components
The parts of a roof, from rafters and underlayment to flashing, gutters and vents.
50 entries →Roof Shapes & Forms
Gable, hip, mansard, dome and the other shapes roofs take.
25 entries →Installation & Methods
How roofs are measured, built, fastened, sealed and kept safe to work on.
65 entries →Standards, Codes & Testing
Test methods, ratings, building codes and certifications around the world.
67 entries →Manufacturers
The companies that make roofing products, their history and ownership.
54 entries →Organizations & Associations
Trade associations, research bodies, training groups and industry events.
55 entries →History of Roofing
From the first thatch to modern membranes, and the most famous roofs ever built.
103 entries →Climate, Hazards & Sustainability
Wind, hail, fire, snow and heat, plus cool roofs, green roofs, solar and recycling.
58 entries →Problems, Repair & Maintenance
Diagnosing leaks and damage, repair options and routine care.
43 entries →Tools & Equipment
The tools, machines and inspection technology roofers use.
30 entries →Start here
Prehistory of Roofing
How archaeologists reconstruct the earliest roofs and shelters, from Lower Palaeolithic woodworking to Neolithic longhouses and Bronze Age roundhouses.
History of Roofing
An overview of how people have covered buildings, from brushwood huts and thatch to fired tiles, slate, metal sheet, asphalt and synthetic membranes.
Natural Slate
A fine-grained metamorphic rock split into thin, durable roofing units; among the longest-lasting roof coverings in use.
Thatch
A roof covering of dry plant stems such as reed, straw, sedge, palm or grass, laid thickly so rain runs off the outer layer.
Clay Roof Tile
A roofing unit moulded or extruded from clay and fired in a kiln; one of the oldest and most widespread roof coverings in the world.
Standing Seam Metal Roof
A standing seam roof uses long metal pans joined by raised seams and held down by concealed clips, so no fasteners pierce the weathering surface.