Fired roof tiles have been used in buildings from as early as the 3rd century BC, but for most ordinary folk, traditional roofs were traditionally made of thatch (straw or reed).
Thatch provides great insulation and is very attractive, but it also burns. The development of clay products was, in many cases, driven by the need to reduce fire risk in cities.
For example, as far back as 14th century city management in Holland decreed that roof tiles should be made of non-flammable materials. The Great Fire of London had a similar effect in the UK.
The type of material used on roofs was historically dependent largely on what was available locally and that local traditional is still very evident today in our local communities.
