High-Quality Tile Roofing

Tile roofing is one of the oldest forms of roofing systems and has been around for thousands of years worldwide. This system is a popular choice among homeowners and builders due to its durability, longevity, and aesthetic appeal.

There are several different types of roofing tile materials available with this system, each with its unique characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages including:

  • Clay / Terracotta: Clay and terracotta tiles are some of the oldest and most traditional types of tile roofing. Made from natural clay, these tiles are fired at high temperatures in a kiln to create a hard, durable surface. Sometimes also referred to as ceramic roofing tiles, they are known for their durability, fire resistance, and insulation properties. They can last for over 100 years with proper maintenance. However, they are heavy and can be brittle, making them vulnerable to cracking in cold weather or during installation. They are also relatively expensive compared to other options.
  • Concrete: Concrete roof tiles are made from a mixture of cement, sand, and water. They are available in a variety of profiles, including low, medium, and high. Concrete tiles are known for their durability, fire resistance, and insulation properties. They are also less expensive than clay and terracotta tiles. However, they are also heavy and can be brittle, making them vulnerable to cracking in cold weather or during installation.
  • Natural Slate: Natural roofing slates are made from natural slate rock. They are known for their durability, fire resistance, and insulation properties. They can last for over 100 years with proper maintenance. However, they are also heavy and can be brittle, making them vulnerable to cracking in cold weather or during installation. These tiles are also relatively expensive compared to other options.
  • Metal: Metal roofing tiles, such as steel, aluminum, copper, and zinc, are a popular choice for modern homes. They are known for their durability, fire resistance, and insulation properties. They are also relatively lightweight, making them easier to install than other types of tiles. However, without proper coating, they can become vulnerable to rust and corrosion over time, and they can be expensive.
  • Solar: Solar powered tiles are a newer type of tile roofing that incorporates mini photovoltaic solar panels right into the design. They are known for their energy efficiency, as they can generate electricity from the sun’s rays. However, they can be expensive, and they may not be compatible with all types of homes or climates.
  • Composite / Synthetic / Polymeric / Faux: Composite, synthetic, polymeric, or faux tile roofing is made from a mixture of materials, such as plastic and rubber, that is designed to mimic the look of other types of tile roofing, such as clay, slate or shake. These are known for their durability, resistance to weather and fire, and low maintenance requirements. However, depending on the manufacturer and model, some composite tiles may not have the same aesthetic appeal as natural tiles, and they may not be as fire-resistant as other types of tile roofing.

Aside from the seven different materials listed above that roofing tiles are composed of, there are nine different broad styles and shapes that they come in as well including:

  • Spanish / Terracotta / Scandia
  • Mission / Barrel
  • Flat Shingle
  • Double Roman
  • Interlocking / Slate / Flat Shake
  • Pantile (S-Shaped)
  • Scalloped
  • French / Marseille
  • Graduated & Tapered

Tile systems are very long-lasting, especially when installed correctly and matched to the proper climate. As an example, because a barrel tile has a large gap between the tile and the roofing substrate, it helps create a barrier to block some of the sun’s heat from transferring to the attic space. Similarly, the sheer heavy thermal mass of the different styles of tiles helps to regulate indoor temperatures which makes them a great option for those in hotter climates. Likewise, because they are very good at shedding large amounts of excess rainfall, these materials are also ideal choices for climates that tend to have infrequent but large “monsoons” or “rain dumps”.

Since many of the options that are available with tile roofs are made from earth minerals, they tend to be much more environmentally friendly than other roofing materials. At the end of their lifecycle, these used materials can merely be crushed, pulverized, and recycled to be used in other building projects (like making the base for new roads), instead of ending up in a landfill. Because there are so many different materials to choose from, this ensures that homeowners won’t have any problem finding the perfect color or style that complements the design of their home.

These roofs are known for their durability. They are weather and pest resistant, have a good overall fire rating, and can last a lifetime with minimal maintenance. In fact, there are examples homes in Europe where this material is over 100’s of years old. Maintenance can also be cheaper and easier with this kind of system because you can replace individual cracked tiles instead of having to replace the whole roof.

They are installed by securing a row of tiles starting at the bottom part of the roof, overlapping the next row on top, and repeating this process till the whole roof is covered. The installation process is similar to other roofing products like asphalt shingles, but because of differences in till shape, size, texture, etc., it can require some specialized experience when working with this product. Because of this, it is important to work with a professional roofing contractor like us that has the necessary skills in working with these materials and to ensure that it is properly installed and maintained.

When you hire Reimagine Roofing, you can be assured that you are getting a team of experienced, professional, and expert roofers that will make the process as simple and painless as possible. Contact us today for a free no-obligation, comprehensive roofing inspection, and estimate.

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