History of Roofing - TiteLock Metal Shingles

A little Roofing History

TiteLock metal shingles were manufactured by Milwaukee Corrugated CO. in the early 1900′s and were designed with a side lap locking joint system that concealed the nails holding the panels down and yet allowed for expansion and contraction. The stamped profile you see in the ad below gave this roof panel structural strength and rigidity and was coated with iron oxide and linseed oil. Metal panels like this, rely on a hook or hem to lock down the eaves, rakes, hips, ridge, and valleys. By hitting them with a mallet on the fold, it would securely hold the joint down.

In the American Architect Specification Manual Vol 1. it states the use of building paper and not tar paper be used for underlayment. This shingle was not only water and fire-proof it had claims to being “lightning proof.” Many of the modern steel coated roofing products we see today have roots based on these types of stamp metal shingle panels.

Please return back for more brief series of articles about The history of Roofing showing some of the older types of roofing materials used in our trade.

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