With the increasing sophistication of the housing market, the outside characteristics of a house can play as significant a role as the inside appearance in the buying decision. Eye pleasing, attractive features on the exterior of the building add to its aesthetic appealingness and makes an prompt impression on the prospective buyers before they walk in the front door. Terracotta roof finials are timeless classics that finalise any and every roof.

An architectural device, roof finials can be made in stone, clay, concrete or wood. They are fitted to decoratively emphasize the apex of a roof and for those that are superstitious are said to ward off witches and other evil creatures. They are also found on porches, glasshouses and verandas. They supply a design feature which increases the protection of the gables and turrets so also have a functional role.

Some a little more ornate, then other simple designs, there are a large array of roofing finials to choose in order to capture a certain look for your household. Roof finials take many forms but are typically ridge tile designs with ornamental figures including Dragons, Gargoyles, Mythical creatures and traditional Victorian styles such as ball finials, spike finials and Fleur de Lys finials. It is an English tradition dating back as far as the 1800′s and possibly beyond that, and aside from anything else adorn the roof.

Roof finials are not only part English architectural importance and history, Chinese and other cultures have used ornate roof finials for their grand buildings and traditions for hundreds of years.

For those homeowners wanting to add a bit of misleading age to a modern home these roof finials would suit perfectly but unluckily these artistic figures are dying out, due to modern roofing materials becoming extremely popular. Associated with large Victorian houses, these entrancing sculptures can add generations to any home.

They are regularly used more in restoration work and for replacing broken or weathered finials, as well as being installed on new roofs. Finials must be built on the roof so that they remain in place correctly. Installation can be done by almost any homeowner as it is quite straight forward. Due to their open location, finials are inevitably vulnerable to decay and corrosion, specially if they are not regularly maintained.

If you have a particular finial in mind it is quite probable that you will be able to get it made uniquely for you as a lot of companies still hand make their own tiles and roof finishing products.

With a roof finial on your home at least you can sleep easy in the knowledge that you have deterred witches from landing on your roof!

To view our photo showcase including roof finials, download a brochure or ask for a sample please view www.keymer.co.uk.