Clay tile roofs. A classic look first brought to the United States in the 17th century by settlers from Europe and still a favorite today is an excellent choice for roofing material. It is resistant to insects, mold, and decay, won’t burn, and will often outlast the decking it is built upon. Clay tile roofing is an excellent choice for homes with a southwestern, Italian, or Spanish Mission design, or even for homes with a modern, clean look. This style is most prevalent in California or Florida but can indeed be found all over the world.
Clay tile roofing lasts a long time – its expected lifespan is higher than the lifespan of the material on which the roofing rests. Keep in mind that a clay roof is very heavy, and expensive to install. It requires little maintenance and comes in a variety of colors, types, styles, and brands. Tiles are fragile, so walking on them can break them. That makes it more challenging to accomplish maintenance like painting or cleaning rain gutters or fireplaces.
Clay tile roofing is created by baking molded clay. The temperature, as well as the length of time the tile is heated, will determine it’s density. Tiles may have surface texture treatments, or glazes applied. There are a wide variety of tile styles, profiles, colors, and finishes available.
Due to the high cost of clay tiles, it is common to use a concrete substitute for clay tile roofing. While concrete tiles will not retain the same quality or color as clay tile roofs, they do work as a cheaper, lighter alternative to clay. Yep, concrete is lighter than clay. Today it is common to see “clay roofing ” made of many different materials, even metal roofing can be used to create the classic look of tile.
Clay Tile Roofs
Below is a list of advantages and disadvantages of clay tile:
Advantage:
* non-combustible
* many colors and styles
* attractive
* fireproof
* easy to maintain
* extremely durable when maintained
Disadvantage:
* expensive
* heavy
* used primarily in new buildings because of weight and structural requirements
* installation and repairs can be tricky
* fragile; walking on the roof may break tiles
Clay Tile Roofs: