The construction of Gothic cathedrals was an ambitious, expensive, and technically demanding aspect of life in the Late Middle Ages. From the late 11th century until the Renaissance, largely in Western Europe, Gothic cathedral construction required substantial funding, highly skilled workers, and engineering solutions for complex technical problems. Completion of a new cathedral often took at least half a century, yet many took longer or were rebuilt after fires or other damage. Because construction could take so long, many cathedrals were built in stages and reflect different aspects of the Gothic style.