In the UK, if you've ever glanced up at a rooftop, you've probably seen one or more ornaments perched on the roof. These decorations, often referred to as roof finials, are a striking feature of the British landscape and have been a mainstay of the nation's architecture for generations.
The Roman era is when roof finials are first recorded in artefacts. Romans adorned their roofs with a wide range of ornaments, including animals, plants, and figures from mythology. Many of these items started to disappear from the British environment as the Roman Empire waned.
The UK didn't see the return of roof finials until the Middle Ages. The most common finials at this time were crosses, which were frequently used to signify a certain faith or family. Additionally, ornate gargoyles started to be used on rooftops for both ornamental and practical reasons.
Over the following few centuries, the usage of roof finials grew steadily in the UK. In both urban and rural regions, finials had become a regular sight by the late 19th century. The most common finials of the period were typicaly constructed of stone or terracotta, however some were also made of metal or even glass.
Roof finials are still a common option today for both cosmetic and functional reasons. While some finials are solely asthetic, others have a functional purpose by shielding rooftops from the weather. Finials are a great option for both residential and commercial structures since they can be utilised to support other roof elements as well.
Roof finials are a fantastic way to give any building personality and charm, whether you decide to use conventional finials or pick a more contemporary style. And given their long history, these famous decorations will undoubtedly continue to play a significant role in the British landscape for a very long time.