When it comes to the roofs that are tiled, it will commonly be associated with an exotic sense of romance. Roofs that are tile generally appear on homes that are kind of Southwest inspired or Mediterranean inspired. It does not matter if the tiles are made of fired clay, slate, or concrete, these things are very good not just from an aesthetic point of view but also from a practical perspective as well. It is no wonder then that these materials are so desired as roofing material.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the key features that serve as essential selling points for these tiles as being a dependable and stylish option for roofing. The idea here is to make you aware of all the advantages that these tiles have over other types of surfaces and let you decide whether it is time for an upgrade or not. Let us now take a closer look at these materials.
The Advantages of Tile Roofing
- Versatility and visual appeal
More often than not, tiles made out of clay and concrete are able to offer natural earth tones, unglazed finishes, sand-cast, and also a classic shape that is curved in nature. One thing to note is that their design options are not limited to such Mediterranean and Southwestern traditions. In fact, owing to the fact that they are made through the process of casting, it actually allows for a wide variety of design options that will definitely be able to satisfy any needs of the homeowner.
Both types of tiles, concrete and clay tiles, also come in a very large variety of colors and they may come in different finishes as well, glazed or unglazed. The shapes that are the most common are made in order to be able to mimic the appearance of natural surfaces such as wood shakes. Other tiles are made in order for use in Craftsmanship, log, or rustic homes. Then there are also other types of tiles which try to emulate the classical European structures.
Tiles that are made of natural slate are very commonly used in order to roof colonial, Victorian, and also Tudor architecture while they also comfortably look at home in modern homes as well.
These particular types of slate tiles are able to impart a distinctive and also a very desired appearance of stones that are natural and they also have an upper hand when compared to other types of concrete or clay tiles. Some of these advantages include durability and their ability to last a long time.
2. Durability
These tiles, which are made from concrete, clay, and slate; are sort of impervious when it comes to fire. They are also able to withstand rot, pests, and insects. Most of the tiles made for roofing are able to withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. This makes them a particularly good choice for roofing in almost any type of climate found on this planet. Tiles made out of clay are particularly able to withstand the corrosion that occurs due to salt air. This makes them an excellent choice for any home that is situated close to an ocean or are in the general vicinity of a coast.
It is true that most roofs that are tiled are found much more in warmer climates but it does not mean that they cannot be used in the colder regions as well. If you are getting tiles for your roof and you live in a colder climate, make sure that the tile has the ability to handle the cycles of freeze-thaw.
The biggest problems that normally arise with tiled roofs are mainly caused by people. These tiles are not made in order to handle foot traffic and they are extremely vulnerable to getting chipped or broken due to the owner not taking care of them properly. Therefore, it is vitally important that when you do repairs of your tiled roof, make sure that you get someone who has experience in these matters. Otherwise, you run the risk of seriously damaging your tiles.
3. Long Lifespan
A roof that is made out of concrete, slate, or clay really has the ability to be the last roof you may ever need. These tiles are famous for their durability and they can last a lot longer than 100 years. Tiles made out of concrete will often come with a warranty of over 50 years. Among all these different types of tiles, clay is the one that is the most durable and lasts the longest.
4. Savings
If you think about it in the short-term perspective then tiled roofs may seem ridiculously expensive. This is due to the upfront costs you have of installing them both in terms of labor and also materials. If you are, for example, using slate, then installation by a professional can cost you anywhere from 1000 to 2000 USD for every square. The installers who have a lot of experience will also charge more.
But, once you have gotten over the initial expense of installing these tiles, the fact that they are durable can really offset that initial expense. Think of it in the long run. These tiles are able to easily last more than 100 years if they are properly maintained. No other roofing material even comes close to that kind of longevity. Therefore, make sure that you get the tiles installed properly and also that they are maintained properly. You will never need to change your tiled roof.
