Flat Victorian roofs

[halfscale]

Some late Victorian houses had square towers with flat tops---does anyone know what the tops of these were covered with?  I guess I could ask the same question about widows' walks in earlier houses.   Would it be wood planks on top of some kind of metal?  Or tarred wood?  I'd love to see pictures of real life or miniature versions.

[Sable]

In Key West we have stayed at two places that had a widow's walk. One had boards, the other had a white reflective grainy single sheet of roofing material. I guess you could use a fine sandpaper and paint it white.

[halfscale]

Thanks for the information!  Yes, somehow sandpaper would feel more convincingly waterproof than just painting it a flat color...

[havanaholly]

I grew up in a flat-roofed house in West Palm Beach that was tar over boards and then fine gravel.  I simulated that on my South Georgia Coventry Cottage using dark gray felt.

[halfscale]

Interesting---I just looked at it.  It's a good effect that doesn't call attention to itself.  What did you use for the edging?

[otterine]

I used fine grit sandpaper painted with acrylics for one flat bay window roof.
http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/bedroom-swinging-windows-part-2

I've also used cork sheet painted with acrylics for two flat roofs.  Here is one example.
http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=119727

[WyckedWood]

Just have to say, I love a widows walk on a house! Even just the name of it invokes mystery and emotion, romanticism. 

Anyway. Just throwing this out there since you're gathering options, I've seen textured gravely type spray paint @ Home Depot. I like the idea of pea gravel on the widows walk, would make a crunchy sound when someone walked on it. 

[havanaholly]

1 hour ago, halfscale said:

Interesting---I just looked at it.  It's a good effect that doesn't call attention to itself.  What did you use for the edging?

Are you asking me or Sable?  If me, the edging was part of the kit.

[halfscale]

57 minutes ago, havanaholly said:

Are you asking me or Sable?  If me, the edging was part of the kit.

Yes, actually you---so thanks!  I guess it was wood then.

[halfscale]

2 hours ago, otterine said:

I used fine grit sandpaper painted with acrylics for one flat bay window roof.
http://www.otterine.com/blog/blog1.php/bedroom-swinging-windows-part-2

I've also used cork sheet painted with acrylics for two flat roofs.  Here is one example.
http://www.greenleafdollhouses.com/forum/?app=gallery&module=gallery&controller=view&id=119727

Both look very real---and if Otter Cove ever goes on Airbnb, I'd like to stay there for a weekend!  

Thanks a lot.

[halfscale]

1 hour ago, WyckedWood said:

Just have to say, I love a widows walk on a house! Even just the name of it invokes mystery and emotion, romanticism. 

Anyway. Just throwing this out there since you're gathering options, I've seen textured gravely type spray paint @ Home Depot. I like the idea of pea gravel on the widows walk, would make a crunchy sound when someone walked on it. 

Also a great idea---I'll look into that.  I now see that the roofs should be some kind of painted-over texture, and all of you have given me some great ideas of where to get such textures.  Thanks!