Whereabouts and when the chimney was first invented is slightly difficult to pinpoint, however, they have certainly changed a fair amount over the years. This blog aims to broaden your knowledge of a few famous chimney designs throughout history.
Roman Chimney Pots
Although they appeared very different from the chimneys you may see today, the Romans did have a sort of chimney yet how the smoke was drawn out of structures as such, there is a lack of knowledge from archaeologists surrounding this. A chimney pot must be distinguished from a chimney or flue. Roman bath buildings had box-tile flues that went up the walls of the hot rooms so that bathers might work up a sweat, but chimneys, as we know them now, seem to have been very uncommon.
Padua, Italy
There is evidence that chimneys were very prevalent in Padua, Italy, as early as 1368. Several chimneys were damaged by an earthquake in Venice in 1347. The manner in which there is a record of such chimneys being destroyed highlights their centrality to everyday life in Italy and marks how they became more popularised and less rare after the fall of the roman empire. However, not many of the chimneys and rooves were provided with a roof restoration.
Tudor Chimneys
Succeeding the dissolution of the monasteries one of this era's most prominent features is the Tudor chimney. The extensive use of coal as fuel was one of the causes of the greater usage of chimneys. Previously, a small opening in the roof was used to let inside wood smoke out. In order to remove the smoke from the living space, fireplaces, flues, and chimneys had to be upgraded due to the increasing smoke from coal. The individual chimney columns were curled, twisted, and embellished with checkerboard patterns made of various-coloured bricks. Chimney stacks were frequently grouped together. This period saw the chimney becoming an aesthetic feature rather than merely a feature to draw smoke out of a particular room which was a roof revival of sorts.
Victorian Chimneys
The Victorians chose to line their chimneys with a layer of cement mortar known as parging in addition to building their chimneys out of bricks held together with cement mortar. This meant the chimneys were more sturdy. However, due to a chemical reaction which occurred when the chimney was in use left the cement extremely fragile and therefore the chimney itself. This meant many Victorian chimneys had a curve to them and could topple at almost any second and placing a stain on roofing companies.
At B & D Roofing and Building we understand how striking the balance between a functional yet aesthetic chimney is. This is why we offer many different styles and sizes of chimneys
to suit and fit your roof. Please contact us for more information.
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