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Clay tile roofs are often chosen for their unique Old World beauty, but this material offers homeowners additional benefits. Tile roofing materials are chosen for their versatility, durability, and longevity. Clay tiles are a low-maintenance option appropriate for cold and warm climates with an ability to withstand water, snow, and sun.
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Metal roofs cost, on average, between $7,081 and $110,150.
GET ESTIMATE Adobe- Royalty FreeThe NRCIA reports that the average tile roof cost is $8,000 to $23,000.
GET ESTIMATE Adobe- Royalty FreeShingle-style roofs cost, on average, $5,000 to $18,000.
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Clay tiles can be found in many colors, shapes, and applications. No single roofing is best for every home, so consider the benefits and drawbacks of clay tiles.
Benefits:
Clay tile roofs can withstand threats such as fire, wind, sun, snow, and hail.
Clay tiles can keep your home cool during hot weather and warm during cold weather.
Clay tile roofs generally last
100 or more years
with proper installation and maintenance.
Drawbacks:
Although tile roofs are resistant to high winds, fire, and hail, individual tiles are brittle and break easily during the installation process.
Clay tiles can cost
three to four times more than asphalt shingles.
Clay tile roofs are heavy; the roof&#;s structure needs to be assessed and possibly reinforced prior to installing a clay roof.
A properly installed clay tile roof may last more than 100 years. The raw materials don&#;t rot or decay, and they withstand the most common threats to typical roofs. The only significant threats to these roofing products are falling trees and mishandling by humans.
Clay tile roofs compete well against metal roofs and asphalt shingles when it comes to withstanding extreme temperatures, such as high heat and frigid cold. They hold up well under heavy wind and rain storms. Clay tiles also offer Class A fire resistance according to the American Society for Testing and Materials, meaning they have the lowest fire spread rate.
Although we found several clay roof warranties for 50 or 75 years, a properly installed and maintained roof won&#;t need to be replaced for your lifetime. Maintenance includes professional inspections every one or two years and prompt replacement of broken or damaged tiles.
The initial investment for a clay tile roof is high. Clay tile roofs are typically three to four times as expensive per square foot as an asphalt shingle roof.
Additionally, clay tiles have certain requirements for the roof structure to be successfully installed. You&#;ll need a steep roof slope, such as a gable roof, to install clay tiles. According to the International Code Council, the minimum allowable slope is a ratio of 2 1/2 to 12 inches.
If the roof pitch meets the minimum requirement but is less than a 4 to 12 ratio, a double underlayment is necessary, adding to your investment requirements. Furthermore, tile roofs require specific types of underlayment and must include an ice barrier if ice damming is a risk in your area.
Your roof will also need to be structurally capable of holding the weight of a clay tile roof. Clay tiles typically weigh between 700 and 900 pounds per roofing square (100 square feet), putting a lot of weight on your existing roof structure. If you plan to replace asphalt or concrete roof tiles, it may be necessary to reinforce the structure.
Clay tile roofs are often associated with Mediterranean and Spanish architecture. However, these tiles are available in many colors and types.
Barrel tiles are also commonly called mission tiles. They are barrel-shaped and laid in an interlocking pattern, with the convex tile on bottom and the concave on top. Alternatively, the bottom tile can be a flat pan. These tiles are common in Italy and the hot, dry climate of the U.S. Southwest, as they warm up slowly during the day and release heat slowly at night.
These modern tiles offer the durability of traditional clay tiles but resemble the traditional appearance of wood shakes. They can be placed in an interlocking design or laid in a double thickness that creates a traditional shingle appearance. Flat tiles are available with a flat profile as well as a flat interlocking profile.
French tiles have interlocking sides and feature two flutes (vertical channels) for a dramatic look and to help water drainage. French tiles are generally available in lighter shades, such as peach and salmon, and they tend to be larger but lighter than Spanish and Italian tiles.
Spanish clay tiles feature an S-shaped design and are a one-piece barrel tile, ideal for curving roofs. These tiles are energy-efficient and wind- and weather-resistant, making them a good choice in many environments. They are also fire-resistant.
Clay tiles have insulating properties that provide a temperature buffer for the interior of your home in both hot and cold weather. This in turn leads to lower heating and cooling costs. Additionally, lighter color terra-cotta clay helps reflect more sunlight, providing a cooling effect compared to darker-colored shingles.
The company is the world’s best tile span roofing supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Clay tiles perform very well when compared to asphalt shingles and metal roofing. Although asphalt shingles are the least expensive, tile and metal last longer. This longevity and durability is part of the reason for the increased costs of metal and clay roofing. The cost of slate roof tiles is similar to that of clay. When it comes to durability and longevity, clay, concrete, and slate tiles perform best.
When confronted with damage from a fallen tree or from people walking on the roof, other roofing options, such as asphalt shingles, may be easier and less expensive to repair. If your roof has a low pitch, clay tiles aren&#;t a good match, but metal, concrete, and asphalt may be a good option.
Proper maintenance will help your clay tile roof reach its full potential life span. Start by having a roofing professional inspect your roof about once a year, watching for signs of moss growth, mildew, cracked tiles, and other signs of trouble, especially at the edge of the roof where individual tiles are more exposed.
Broken tiles need to be removed carefully to avoid damaging surrounding tiles while keeping the overlapping pattern in place. If you keep extra tiles from the roof installation, you can ensure the new tiles will match.
You should also regularly clean your roof&#;again, it&#;s best to hire a professional due to safety concerns working on a clay roof. As dust and other organic matter settle on your roof, it can become home to algae, moss, and mildew. This is particularly true in very humid climates and in homes next to the ocean or lakes. Debris, such as leaves and seeds, can also clutter your roof and prevent the proper flow of water. Hire a roofing professional to clean your roof as necessary.
Some roof tiles, such as concrete, can be protected with primer or acrylic paint. This step provides added protection from UV rays, extreme temperatures, and varying weather conditions. However, applying a protective coating to terra-cotta clay tiles isn&#;t advisable due to the glaze added in the manufacturing process.
Clay tile roofs offer several advantages, including insulatory properties, longevity, and aesthetics. Although the initial cost is high, a well-maintained roof can last a lifetime, and it can boost the energy efficiency of your home. Consult a structural engineer or roofing professional to determine whether your home is a good candidate for a clay tile roof.
A clay tile roof lasts 50 to 100 years or more with proper installation and regular maintenance.
Clay tiles aren&#;t commonly used for roofing because the tile itself is expensive, and they come with added costs, such as needing a reinforced roof structure and being difficult to install.
Clay tiles are suitable for snowy climates and perform well, resisting water damage as well as keeping the building warmer. It is essential that tiles in these areas are inspected and maintained every year.
Yes, clay roofs limit heat transfer in and out of your home. This means warmer temperatures are kept out during the summer and kept in during colder seasons.
There are many attractive qualities to a clay tile roof. With that in mind, there are several considerations to keep in mind when it comes to a clay tile roofing installation for your home.
Overall, when it's time to replace a roof, or there's enough storm damage that an emergency roof fix can't resolve, many homeowners choose clay tile roofing because of its classic appearance and incredible durability. While clay tiles are heavier than other roofing materials, they can last 50 years or more.
On the downside, roofing systems such as clay tile roofs represent a significant initial investment that can be destroyed if not installed and taken care of properly.
The process of installing roof tiles is lengthy and requires a lot of pre-installation setup, such as finding appropriate underlayment for the specific type of tile and measuring all of the materials. From there, once the actual installation starts, the roof tiles must then be installed in a specific pattern to make sure they stay in place and the roof will not leak.
Here are some key requirements for long-lasting clay tile roofs.
When compared to other types of roofing, keep in mind that clay tile roofing will be a bigger investment than some. However, when you consider a clay tile roof's lifespan (which is estimated at between 50 and 100 years), you'll find that the investment is worth it.
If you have questions about a clay tile roof's upfront cost, please don't hesitate to reach out to the team at LOA Construction! Find out about the different types of tile roof and the best way to install them here.
Another important consideration is the weight of clay tiles. Compared to a roofing system such as asphalt, your clay tile roof will be much heavier.
It will be important to have your roof structure inspected by a local roofing company in Austin to ensure that your home will be able to support the extra weight that comes with a clay tile roof.
Read More: 4 Tips For Choosing A Roof Type
Now, let's talk about the materials required for a clay tile roof installation.
Clay tiles tend to vary in their performance, and many roofs show damage not long after they were installed. A good rule is that the tiles should have a high success rate in the climate where they will be installed. For example, if you live in a colder climate, be sure to check if the clay tiles you are tested and perform well for your area. The materials and tiles should be tested for impact, wind, and heat resistance.
Clay tile roofs are designed to shed water when it is raining or snowing. Although, it is almost inevitable that some water run-off will find its way underneath the roofing material. Experienced roofing companies will assemble a layer of self-adhered waterproofing membrane, which sticks to the roof deck and prevents a leaking roof when water backs up behind ice dams and also seals around roof fasteners.
One important caveat to keep in mind for clay tile underlayment: self-adhered membranes can invite condensation in some buildings and climates.
During the roof installation process, the other components should have the same life span as the clay tile material. For clay roofs, it's important that the perimeter flashing and gutters are made with durable materials such as heavy-gauge copper or stainless steel.
For clay tiles to adhere securely to the roof deck, use rust-resistant copper or stainless steel nails. This will help to prevent noise created when tiles rattle against each other when it's windy. For along the roof perimeters, look for nose clips that restrain the front edge of the tiles.
Read More: What is the Best Time of Year to Install a Roof?
Wondering if you should repair or replace your roof? With all the considerations and pros and cons that come with clay roofing tiles, their beauty, long lifespan and an array of cost-saving benefits tend to outweigh these considerations. Make sure you work with a company that can meet all these considerations and more.
When investing in a clay tile roof, you'll want to ensure that you have chosen the right roofing company for the job. Ask friends, family, coworkers, and acquaintances about a solid roofing company in the area. Review Google, Yelp, and Facebook reviews, read through their testimonials, and reach out to the company to compare pricing and get more information about how they handle projects.
Hiring a professional roofing company may be a large financial investment up front, but it's something you definitely don't want to shortcut on.
Need to get a roof estimate? With decades of combined experience in the roofing industry, look no further than LOA to be your source for installations, replacements, repairs, maintenance, how to eradicate humidity, what to do when you have roof leaks from heavy rain, emergency services, and more.
Beyond the Austin, TX area, the roofers at LOA Construction also serve Houston, San Antonio, Temple, Killeen, and Belton, and beyond.
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