Why Is Lead Used For Roofing

Lead is recyclable and can be re used.

Why is lead used for roofing.

If the lead flashing is not installed perfectly it can widen cracks in the foundations of a home because of its density and weight. Lead has been used for roofing for centuries and is one of the oldest flashing materials. It is durable and soft enough to be formed into complex shapes. Lead is an excellent sealant and is used because it is cheap.

Aluminum flashing is easy for roofing professionals to form and is lightweight. One of the first metals to be smelted lead is thought to have been first mined in 6500 bc in anatolia. Lead is not the lightest of roof flashing materials. It was used extensively in roman aqueducts between 500 bc and 300 ad.

The normans were also known to have used lead in. Here lead was used for a beautiful chimney flashing job in oxford. However roofing professionals in north america now prefer other materials. Lead used as roof flashings.

Lead can also be used as a covering for guttering too helping make a roof 100 water tight. Lead lasts an average of more than three times longer than other roofing and flashing products. Lead is resistant to corrosion from the atmosphere salt water most natural chemicals and and uv degradation. Although there is a good argument to use it l ead flashing places extra stress on the gutters and roofline of any house.

In the past roofing professionals would use lead or lead coated materials as flashing. Notice that the step flashing mostly not visible is under the roof tiles the counter flashing seals the tops of the step flashing agasint the chimney and the bottom of the chimney flashing at its down roof side brings water out to daylight. Lead roofing and flashings are much more likely to be a health hazard for people working with the materials than for people using the building. However aluminum must be coated if it is to be used with concrete and masonry as plain.

This is the reason why many historic buildings have lead roofing as it is reliable and durable which also makes it a cost effective option in the.