Slate Roofing in Canada

James A. Love is an associate professor of environmental design at the
University of Calgary.

Cullen provides a very thorough account of the introduction and use of
slate roofing in Canada, the objective being to “establish context of
material use—time, place, stylistic interpretation and installation
technique” for the benefit of preservationists. She addresses factors
affecting its popularity from the time of early French settlements to
the twentieth century. Typical architectural applications in various
stylistic periods are discussed. She also reviews the properties of
slate as a building material, methods of securing slates, and factors
affecting their durability once installed. Past and current sources of
roofing slate are covered. The book includes almost 100 illustrations,
including color photos of the ornamental patterns used in slate roofing.
While these are invaluable, their placement after the body of the text
makes relating the author’s arguments to the illustrations difficult.