Why Do Roofs Have Rocks

The idea is thus.

Why do roofs have rocks. Gravel on top of tar is an old way of doing things on a flat roof it is still practiced and functional. I think some people do it because they like the look. Unfortunatly it doesn t do much to protect against demon attacks. Various types of rock are embedded into asphalt roofs to add strength to the roof and help it last longer.

It s also a bit of an aesthetic nicety on more modern roofs just for the crack as it were. Remember trad italian roofs have much bigger overhangs on the eaves the bit which overhangs the long sides of a pitched roof and also on the verges which overhang the gables. To protect the underlying layer of roofing materials as is the case with built up roofs burs. It aided in keeping the house sturdy in the face of earthquakes and wind.

My regards to mom. They absorb heat and keep the tar fro. Back in the late 50 s early 60 s they were pitched as a good way to let a roof last a long time and to reflect heat and keep out the cold and the revers for the inside just as deep caves do but. One thing it would do is make the roof more resistant to sun damage as much of the roof is not directly exposed covered by rocks.

Rocks on the roof can be traced to the native americans who lived here long before anyone dreamed of professional hockey and were adopted by homesteaders. To weigh down or secure the roofing material as is the case with single ply flat roofs. There are different types and weights of gravel used on flat roofs for these purposes. That s all there is to it.

The stones keep the tar paper in place and prevent it from buckling or blowing away in a high wind. The gravel prevents sun hail errant baseballs etc from damaging the membrane the all important moisture seal created by the tar paper and tar. The gravel rocks deflect the sun away from the underlayer that is sealing the roof to be watertight. Reminded me of haiti where they use rocks of any type to hold the tin sheets on through a storm.

Pea gravel is sometimes placed on top of a smooth bur asphalt roof to protect the roof.