A Comparison of Roofing Materials: What Suits You Best? – Part 1: Tile Roofing
Steep-slope roofing is available in different material options, among them, tile. Known for its beauty and durability, and available in various styles, sizes, textures and colors, tile roofing brings a plethora of benefits to the home. Often used on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-inspired homes, tile counts the following among its many benefits:
1. Versatile and Aesthetically Appealing. Concrete and clay tiles typically come in natural earth tones, and they often have an unglazed finish and a classic curved shape. They add a raw appeal to your structure and are versatile enough to work well with practically any type of architecture. Concrete and clay tiles both come in glazed and unglazed finishes and in a variety of colors that can be made to mimic the look of wood shakes or to emulate traditional European structures.
2.Durable. Tiles made of clay and concrete are impervious to fire and can resist rot as well as repel insects and other pests. Because tile can withstand cold and heat extremes, it can suit any climate; it also resists salt air, so it’s great for homes near the coast and other bodies of water.
Roofing tiles also boast superior impact resistance against hail or high winds, and are suitable in both warm climates and cold regions. But since tiles are vulnerable to foot traffic and can easily be broken or chipped, only an experienced professional should be trusted to handle any repairs or maintenance on a tile roof
3. Long Lifespan. With a roof of concrete or clay, you enjoy a lifespan of as much as 100 years; warranties on the material typically cover at least 50 years.
4. Savings Over the Long Term. In terms of upfront material and labor expenses, tile roofs tend to be expensive. They also require installation by a roofing contractor who has experience working with the high-end material.
You can easily offset your initial expense because this material is durable and lost-lasting, and is capable of paying for itself many times over during its lifespan. Tile also boasts a high thermal mass, which can help regulate temperatures in the home. Tile is also manufactured using environmentally friendly and recyclable materials.
There are a few disadvantages to tile roofing that you ought to be aware of, too:
1. Expensive. Tile roofing is expensive, costing twice as much as an asphalt roof or more. Concrete roof tiles can be less expensive at $400 to $450 per square versus $650 to $1,400 per square for clay tile. However, you can expect to maximize this investment over time as tile roofs enjoy a long lifespan.
2. Requires skilled installation. Professional roofers need to be brought in to install a clay roof right. Measurements need to be precise, and the tiles laid out in a specific manner, making the installation process difficult – certainly not something an amateur can tackle. Forget DIY, you need roofing professionals with extensive experience to install this roof type.
3. Heavy and brittle. A tile roof requires a sturdy roof structure to handle its weight, which can range from 850 to 950 pounds per square, about 3 to 4 times that of an asphalt roof. The tiles can also be brittle and expensive to repair. They are vulnerable to heavy impact and to the pressure caused by walking on them.
Next, we take a quick look at an option that’s much appreciated for its natural beauty as well as its longevity. Stay tuned for the advantages of slate as your roofing material of choice, which is coming up in Part 2.
