Tile Roof Pros And Cons
Tiles come with many advantages and have their disadvantages that turn some homeowners away from installing one. The biggest pro of tile roofs and why they are so popular is their durability and resilience. Thus, they are ideal for places with exposure to salt air or areas with frequent, heavy rainfall or snowfall. Once the tiles are installed, manufacturers offer a 50-year warranty to back up their quality.
Aside from this, tile roofs are also impervious to insect damage and rot and are very easy to maintain as leaks are rare. Because they are thick, they prevent water, cold air, or hot air from penetrating the interior, making them one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly roofing materials available on the market. Homeowners can choose from various colors, styles, patterns, and textures when they install tiles, giving them the freedom to choose the look of the exterior of their home.
Because of their many advantages and longevity, tiles are one of the most expensive roofing types that can cost double or triple more than concrete or metal structures. The high cost is also attributed to the complex installation that requires professional contractors with extensive roofing experience. Another one of the major downsides of tile structure is that they are heavy. Not all home structures can support them, which would require an additional support structure.
Why Are Greek Roofs Flat
Eventually, they discovered that the flat tiles were more effective when curved upwards slightly on the edges beneath the tegula or curved tile. These raised ends prevented water from seeping beneath the tegula tiles. The Greeks also added ridges on the back of the flat tiles to make them easier to hang on the roof.
Asphalt Shingles Vs Concrete Tiles
Asphalt shingles remain far more common than concrete tiles around the world. Also, asphalt shingles are an affordable option with an average cost of $6,750 for a 1,500 sq. ft. roof versus the average cost of $30,000 for a concrete tile roof. However, asphalt roofs rarely last longer than 20 years compared to a concrete roof that can last 100 years or more when properly installed and maintained.
| Roofing Material |
|---|
| $400-$2,000 |
Don’t Miss: What Is The Average Square Footage Of A Roof
Concrete Roof Tiles Prices
Although concrete roof tile prices are high at $400 to $2,000 per square, they are more difficult to install than asphalt shingles and take the roofer twice the time. The durability of the concrete tile offsets the cost. When properly installed, the tiles can last 100 years or more, but asphalt tiles rarely last longer than 20 years. Even though the initial cost of the concrete roof tiles is higher, the extended lifespan makes it a worthwhile investment.
Styles And Wide Variety Of Tile Profiles
In North America, tile roofing is often associated with the southwestern US feeling. Deep red or Terracotta, Spanish-style clay tiles on a home with stucco siding is what normally comes to mind when we picture tile roofs. Yet, thats just one possibility.
Historically, Dutch, and European immigrants have been in the business of importing clay tiles into the New World since about 1650.
All the way through the end of the 1700s, tiles were a very popular roofing material that was viewed as superior to wood, because it was fireproof, moss-and-algae-proof, far longer-lasting, etc.
As the industrial age chugged along, corrugated metal roofing started to grow in popularity, which lead to the decline in the dominance of the clay tile market.
Metal is as durable and, in many cases, less expensive than tiles. Yet, there have been at least two clay tile revival periods in the last 200 years, which is why tile roofing has never lost its stature and appeal in the overall premium sloped roofing category.
Recommended Reading: How To Tell If Your Roof Needs Replacing
Eagle Roof Tile Cost Per Square
Eagle roof tile cost per square averages $400 to $500. The company offers a lifetime transferable limited product warranty, which is transferable to a new homeowner upon the sale of the house. However, the new homeowner must register the roof with the company after purchasing the home. Also, the Eagle Tile company provides a 25-year labor warranty to cover any failure of the roof.
Redland Clay Roof Tile Prices
Over 90 years of manufacturing expertise goes into making every one of Redlands clay roof tiles and for fans of quality, durable and stunning roof tiles, there are 7 profiles to choose from when opting for Redland. Each profile offers a selection of colours and finishes, including textured, brindle and weathered. Some Redland clay roof tiles are only available in pallet quantities so the Ex. VAT price of these reflects this, as this price is shown per pallet, not per tile.
| Tile |
|---|
| £1.58 |
You May Like: How To Build A Roof Over A Trailer
What Makes Clay Roof Tiles So Appealing
Durable and Beautiful
Clay roof tiles have been known to last over 100 years. They resist high winds, hail, and usually carry a Class A fire rating which is the best rating available. They also keep their good looks for many years adding to your homes curb appeal and resale value.
Environmentally Friendly
Clay roof tiles are primarily composed of natural clay and water making them easy to recycle.
Energy Efficient
They are energy efficient holding heat in themselves rather than transferring it to the attic below. Due to the shapes they are manufactured into, they allow good airflow which helps keep heat from building up on the roof, allowing it to dissipate into the atmosphere.
Tile Roof Repair Cost
If you need to repair your roof, expect to pay an average cost of $900 and $2,300. The exact cost depends mostly on the problem youre having. The cheapest problem might be a slipped tile that will be easily returned to its place, while the most extensive repair might be a leak in the roof, requiring more work and cleaning to bring the roof to its initial form. The material also affects the repair cost. The cheapest material to repair is concrete tiles, while the most expensive tiles to repair are terracotta tiles.
Also Check: How To Figure A Hip Roof
Top Tile Roofing Manufacturers
Here are the top manufacturers of both clay and concrete roofs.
1. Boral Roofing: manufactures both clay and concrete roofing. Boral offers Spanish and Mission clay profiles.
Boral roofing also has a unique product, Claylite, that is 40% lighter in weight than regular clay and would not require structural reinforcement.
2. Ludowici Roofing one of the oldest manufacturers of clay tile, with a stellar record of 120 years in business. They make all popular, decorative, as well as custom clay and terracotta profiles.
Considered a leading expert in glazed coatings, Ludowici offers over 40 beautiful colors, as well as custom blends. This is an ideal option, if you are looking to restore a historic roof, or want a high-end, exquisite material.
3.MCA Tile Roofing: another manufacturer that produces exclusively fired clay, and has been in business for close to a century.
MCA offer a number of Mission, Barrel, Tapered Barrel, Roman, Japanese, and historic profiles. Moreover, MCA offers eco-friendly colors that are produced without the use of lead.
4. Verea Roofing: this Florida based company offers Grade 1 European made clay and terracotta tile to the North American market. Currently, you can purchase Spanish S style, Barrel and Flat Tile profiles, in 11 beautiful colors: Red, Brown, Graphite, Vintage, Fume, Jacobea Blend, Aneja, Santiago Blend, Capcana Blend, Mocha and Peach.
Cost To Install Asphalt Shingles
The cost to install asphalt shingles averages from $150 to $550 per square. The cost of installation depends on the size and shape of the roof, including the pitch. Other factors that impact the cost include the number of skylights or chimneys. Many times, shingles can be laid directly over an existing roof, unlike concrete tiles, which cannot be installed over existing tiles.
Read Also: Is A Metal Roof Energy Efficient
Cement Or Concrete Vs Clay Roof Tiles: Impact On Colors
While clay is the historic and predominant material, concrete is the other primary material option. Clay tiles normally come in two types: glazed or unglazed.
Clay tiles tend to hold color much better than cement tiles, especially in the case of Terracotta clay.
Regardless of the material, color is mixed in with the material during the production. With cement, color will fade somewhere between 30 and 50 years. With clay, the color will hold steady for 50 to 70 years. And with Terracotta, it is indefinite, or for sure, 100+ years.
Adding in tile shape and texture, provides a rather limitless variety of options. But generally, architects go for more popular and established styles like Terra-cotta barrel vault tiles, although flat tiles are also common, especially in more wind-prone areas where their low-profile can be beneficial.
Multi-colored tiles on a roof are an option that goes somewhat against the historic norms. Accessories are part of the installation, such that tiles shaped and formed for ridges, hips and gable ends add even more opportunity for greater variety.
What Are The Advantages Of A Concrete Roof
- A concrete tile roof can be a great roofing system if installed properly and professionally. Quality underlayment and routine maintenance is the key to your concrete tile roof and its longevity. Your tile roof should last 30 to 40 years when installed to industry standards.
- Concrete tile roofs are longer lasting than most roofing systems.
- Concrete tiles are more aesthetically pleasing than the typical shingle and modified roofing systems.
- Concrete tile provides a fire rating which could reduce your insurance costs.
- Concrete tiles can reduce noise into the home and they hold up very well to outside elements.
- Concrete tile roofs tend to have lower maintenance costs than other traditional roofing systems.
Recommended Reading: Which Type Of Roof Is Best For Solar Panels
Weight Is A Serious Concern
For homes where weight is a concern, many concrete tile manufacturers offer lightweight options, however those options still weigh 5.5 – 7.5 pounds per square. Standard-weight concrete roof tiles generally weigh between 9.5 to 12 pounds per square foot .. Even concrete roofing products that are labeled as lightweight concrete tiles by the manufacturers are made with a lightweight aggregate, like expanded shale, instead of sand, and they are also heavy because concrete by design is an extremely dense material. By comparison, CeDUR Roofing Shakes are just an astonishing 1.7 pounds per square.
Weight Loading On A Roof
Weight loading on a roof
It isnt uncommon to be handed a specification where a new material is being specified to replace the original.
In most cases necessary investigation has been undertaken, and it has been concluded the roof is able to support the additional load. However there are instances we have seen, where this has been overlooked.
Weight loading on a roof structure is obviously very important and when roof coverings are being replaced it is essential that we make sure that, if we are specifying a change of material which will increase the load on the roof, we check that the existing structure can accommodate the increase in load.
This will usually involve employing a structural engineer. If necessary the structure may have to be strengthened, but if this is not possible, then we will have to consider another roof covering.
There are some misconceptions about the weights and loads of some roofing materials so be careful. The most common is the belief that the heaviest roof tiles are concrete interlocking tiles. Heavy as they are, this is wrong.
Here are some examples which demonstrates this,
- A Marley EterniteDouble Roman concrete interlocking tile weighs 47Kg/m².
- The same manufactures concrete plain tile weighs 73.8Kg/m².
- And their Acme plain clay tile weighs 64Kg/m².
As you can see a plain tile is around 50% heavier.
Don’t Miss: How To Install Metal Roofing Panels
Minimum Pitch For A Tiled Roof
Tiles can only be installed on roofs with a pitch between 2/12 and 12/12, with the first number referring to the vertical rise of the structure in inches while the second one refers to the horizontal length of the structure. If the structure is any lower than 2 inches, it may not drain sufficiently, and any higher than 12 inches and the structure will be too steep to accommodate the heavier tile. The most common roof pitch in residential homes is between 4/12 and 9/12.
What Is The Minimum Roof Pitch For Tiles
In most instances, 35° will be the minimum pitch for plain concrete tiles, which is another reason why the material is the preferred choice for those who use them regularly. Clay single camber plain tiles can pitch down to 30° manufacturer dependant, although the vast majority available have a limit of 35°.
Recommended Reading: Can You Put Metal Roof Over Two Layers Of Shingles
Roofing Manufacturers Know The Exact Weight Of Roofing Materials
Manufacturer technical data sheets are almost always made available on the manufacturers website.
If you cant find the information youre looking for on their website, most reputable manufacturers provide a phone number so you can contact their technical department. The technical department can usually answer any question you might have, and they always seem happy to talk to someone!
For links to a huge directory of roofing manufacturers, organized by roofing material and product type, see Roof Onlines Roofing Manufacturers Directory.
You can also look at roofing materials on the Home Depot website. Both the weight of roofing materials and the square footage they cover are typically given in the product description, which allows you to figure out the weight per square foot of actual roofing products.
Roof Tiling Cost By Type Of Tile
Depending on the look you want, you can opt to have flat or curved tiles installed for $3 to $20 per sq. ft. for the material only. The installation cost is determined by the material of the tile and the pitch, with the most common roofs being concrete in a Spanish style. The shape and type of tile also determine the cost to install tile, with most models being flat or curved.
| Type of Tile |
|---|
| $8 – $20 |
Read Also: How Much Does A Sheet Metal Roof Cost
Slate Roof Tiles Cost
The cost to install slate roof tiles is between $7 and $30 per sq. ft., depending on the , thickness, and overall quality of the tiles you will use. The big discrepancy in cost is that some slate types, such as synthetic slate tiles, are more affordable than regular slate. Synthetic slate tiles are made of plastic and rubber, so they can be recycled and reused, which is another benefit of this type of roofing. However, synthetic slate tiling is not recommended in areas with a harsher climate as they can curl, crack, and disintegrate because of it.
While the material itself can be quite affordable, the installation is one of the most expensive. Each slate is individually drilled to make a hole in it and nail it to the structure, which is a time-consuming process that adds to the cost of the project. However, once installed, slate is one of the most durable and high-quality materials you can use that can last up to 150 years, more than any other roofing type.
Average Cost Of Different Tile Styles
- Spanish Tile $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot.
- Scandia Tile $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot.
- Double Roman $2.25 to $4.80 per square foot.
- Flat Shake $2.29 to $2.49 per square foot.
- Pantile Average cost: $2.50 per square foot.
- Barrel Tile $3.00 to $6.50 per square foot.
- French Tile $3.20 to $3.90 per square foot.
- Riviera $3.00 to $5.00 per square foot.
Read Also: Is My Dryer Vent On The Roof
Bravas Synthetic Slate Roofing Products Offer The Best Of Both Worlds
Brava Old World Slate is a beautiful synthetic slate roof tile that can be installed over most existing roof decks without any additional support. The tiles are all matching so there is no waiting period while sufficient quantities of slate are found to finish your roof and there are no special tools required to install our tiles.Brava Old World Slate tiles are available in a variety of standard colors as well as unlimited custom colors. They are available in Class A and Class C fire rating as well as a Class 4 impact rating for hail prone areas. Our tiles can be walked on without fear of breakage and come with our 50-year limited warranty to give you peace of mind after the purchase.Our website contains pdf drawings and videos to ensure that your job is installed correctly and our customer service experts are available to answer your questions. Contact us today to get a free sample of our Old World Slate tile or one of our other synthetic roof tile options.
How Are Lightweight Concrete Tiles Made
What sets lightweight tiles apart from other tiles is the materials used in the concrete mixture. The manufacturing process for lightweight concrete tiles includes a combination of clay, slate, or expanded shale that is fired them in a kiln. Once these products are heated for a long period of time, they dry out and become highly porous. After being in the kiln they are cooled and used to mix in with the concrete.
Recommended Reading: How To Hire A Roofing Contractor
Concrete Tile Roof Installation
The tile roof installation process of concrete roof tiles is similar to other tile roofing materials. They come in various shapes and sizes, and the installation process depends on the particular tile. Flat tiles interlock in a similar fashion to an S tile. If there is an existing roof, then the old tiles are removed. An underlayment or waterproof membrane is laid. In a hot climate, battens are nailed down to the roof deck, so the tiles are elevated to promote ventilation.
If a penetration in the roof exists, such as those made by chimneys or skylights, the area is flashed to prevent water infiltration. The tile is then installed. The tiles are laid first at the edge of the roof, and then the roofers work backward with each tile course nailed to the battens. The laying process is in an overlap fashion to create a watertight installation. Ridge caps and end pieces are then affixed to the tiles to complete the job.
Concrete tile roofs are difficult to install and take time, especially on a roof with extensive slopes or unusual shapes or patterns. A roof with a high pitch requires additional work, such as sealing the edges. Also, multiple skylights and chimneys increase labor costs. To install, a roofer will charge from $4 to $8 per sq. ft. or $400 to $800 per square, depending on the pitch of the roof. Installation for mid-range cost is from $6,000 to $12,000 for labor in addition to the roofing material cost.
