IMAGES JAMES BRUNKER UK/ ALAMY
The tradition of using plain roof tiles and the patterned variations of these on the vertical to clad walls and other upright surfaces dates back to the 17th century in south-east England. Vertically hung tiling offers weather protection, but also provides an aesthetically pleasing covering, so roof tiles were adapted for the purpose, particularly for the upper storeys of timber-framed buildings. Found also on brick buildings, vertical tiling spread to other parts of the country in the 19th and 20th centuries.