What Is The Average Lifespan Of A Concrete Tile Roof
Wednesday, August 22, 2018
The life expectancy of a concrete tile roof is 35 to 50 years. Although the tile is rated by manufacturers as a having a 50-year life or more, it is primarily a protective covering for the asphalt-based roofing layer below ittypically 30-pound felt or mineral surface roll roofing, secured to the roof sheathing and down-lapped. Sometimes a heavier felt is used. The underlayment roof material, battens used to secure the tile in place, and the fasteners that connect the tiles to the battens usually have a life of closer to 40 years. The tile roof surface is water-resistant, but not water-tight, and prone to penetration by minor wind-driven rain but leakage is protected by the roof layer below the tile.
This graph compares average lifespan of a concrete tile roof to other roof types:
The average lifespan estimate is based on average conditions, and many factors contribute to a longer or shorter life of the roof. So a particular tile roofs life can varysometimes significantlyfrom the average.
Heres a list of conditions that affect roof longevity:
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Give Your Roof New Life
As you can see, there are several advantages to a tile roof and many people would confidently say that tile roofs are, in fact, a good choice. Ultimately, the decisions come down to a couple of factors:
- Does your roof already have tile installed?
- If not, have you consulted a structural engineer to see if your home is able to support the weight of tile?
Installing any type of tile roof material on your home ensures that your roof will be protected for the foreseeable future. As your tile roofing company, we are experienced in all areas of tile roof maintenance, installation, and repair. To get a quote or learn more about how we can help with your tile roofing needs, contact us today at 352-459-7599.
Tile Roof Underlayment Lifespan
The underlayment, set beneath a tile roof, helps support it, but this structure will not last as long as the tile roof itself. This structure is often made of paper or felt, and you will need to replace it at a rate of at least 30 years or so, if not more often. Its installed along with the roof itself, so the clock starts ticking as soon as installation occurs. You may even need to replace it within 20 years depending on what happens.
You may want to check the underlayment regularly as well, to make sure that its not degrading to the point where it will become necessary to replace it early so that you can preserve the integrity and effectiveness of your roof.
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The Anatomy Of A Tile Roof
Tile roofs have a more sophisticated construction than other types of roofs given the tasks they must perform. A tile roof must bear the considerable weight of its tiles for decades across a wide variety of weather conditions. Given these conditions, tile roofs are subject to more regulations than a typical shingle roof. The International Residential Code recommends that clay or concrete tile roofs have a minimum pitch of 2.5:1 while slate roofs should have a minimum pitch of 4:12.
The foundation of a tile roof is the roof deck . On top of the roof deck is the underlayment, which is typically made of synthetic materials and provides waterproof protection during and after construction. Thin strips of material called battens lay across the underlayment and serve as anchors for fasteners, nails, hooks, or other mechanisms that hold the tiles. Finally, the tiles themselves are attached to these across the roof.
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Pros Of Spanish Tile Roofs
In addition to being fire retardant, clay Spanish tile roofs have other positive points:
- Readily available in most areas, making it economical
- Can be glazed in different colors offering a variety of choices
- Can be recycled
- Easily emits the heat it absorbs back into the atmosphere, rather than transferring it to the decking of the home.
- Some manufacturers offer a 50-year warranty for their clay tiles.
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Synthetic Spanish Barrel Roof Tiles Are An Excellent Long
You want the beauty and charm of barrel roof tiles on your home but there are a number of negatives associated with natural clay:
- Extremely heavy and can be costly to add the structure to your roof to support the extra weight
- Require expensive specialists to install them properly and safely.
Bravas Synthetic Spanish Barrel tiles offer all of the advantages of real clay – and more – with none of the negatives.
- 50-year limited warranty
- Made entirely from recycled material – fully recyclable
- Class A fire rating
- Class 4 impact rating – highest in the industry
- Available in any color, and the color is throughout the tile, not just on the surface
- Installation does not require the use of specialists
- Not affected by freeze/thaw cycles
- Easy to maintain
- The only white composite tile on the market
Installing A Tile Roof
Tile roofs are not the most common type of roof in Georgia. However, if you have a Mediterranean style home or just like the look, nothing beats tile. The most common type of tile today is concrete tile. Concrete tile can be manufactured to look like almost any other type of tile, including the classic clay and terracotta. It can even be manufactured to mimic the look of other materials including wood shake and slate. Sand cast and terracotta tiles are less common and more expensive, but you can still find them on some homes.
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Quality Of Roof Materials
Tile roofs come from natural and recyclable materials, including clay and concrete. Regardless of your preference, tile roofs are naturally durable compared to other roofing materials like metal and shingles. However, you’ll still need to ensure that you’re getting high-quality tiles. These tiles must be crafted with the right ingredients, proportions, and the proper techniques.
Ensure That Materials Are Of Quality
The materials used to make the concrete tiles serve as the foundation, and if the base is unsteady, the installation will provide little, if any, benefit.
As a result, combining the cement with water and sand in the initial stage ensures that the components are combined in the proper proportion. The same logic applies to tile production. Only high-quality materials should be utilized.
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Smooth Concrete Tile Roofs Pros
Eco-friendly. Concrete tiles, like clay, are comprised of natural resources. And are easily recyclable and reused.
Durable. Concrete roof tiles have a lengthy life expectancy of up to 50 years. They are also more resistant to cold temperatures than clay tiles.
Energy-efficient. Concrete tiles shield your property from solar radiation heat. But also aids hot air circulation.
Underlying Problems With Felt
Proper maintenance can make your tile roof last longer than most relationships, but there could be trouble just beneath the surface. Felt underlayment generally wears down much faster than the tile above it, requiring repair or replacement about once every 20 to 30 years that is still a long time but not as long as 50 years. There is also the possibility of moisture getting trapped in between the tiling and felt underlayment, leading to mildew or mold problems.
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How Much Are You Spending In Maintenance
We recommend using the 33% rule. If the price to put the roof into good, proper condition costs more than 33% of a new roof, go with the new roof. We also like to look at the cost of ownership as a yearly expense. If by repairing the roof your roof will last another 20 years, divide the cost of repairs and bi-annual cleaning by 20. Then price a new roof and divide that by 25 or 50, depending on who installs the roof and how it is installed. Installing a new roof without flashings will result in replacement at year 25. Installing a new roof with proper flashings and workmanship will result in replacement around year 50. Compare the yearly amounts to determine which route is best for you.
A Better And More Sustainable Alternative To Concrete Tiles
One of the best roof tiles types that serve as an excellent alternative to concrete tile roofing is composite roofing or synthetic roofing. One brand, in particular, to consider turning to is CeDUR, who is known for their beautiful, synthetic roofing shakes that are modeled after real wood shakes. Where can you buy these roof tiles? Easy! Right here!
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Roof Tile Life Expectancy In Florida
Generally, tile roofs can last for more than 50 years. However, your tile roofs life expectancy depends on the quality of the roofing material and your maintenance routine. Your local weather also plays a part, with hail and hurricanes able to significantly decrease your roofs lifespan. Lets review some of the critical factors that affect the expectancy of your tile roof.
How Long Does A Clay Tile Roof Last In Florida
Clay tile roofs have a longer life expectancy than concrete. With proper installation and maintenance, they can reach up to 100 years in theory. This roofing material comes from molded clay and exhibits diverse color palettes from white to yellow to brown.
Compared to concrete tile roofs, clay tile roofs have lower water absorption rates, allowing them to better withstand hurricanes and storms. Their colors also don’t fade off and can keep your home’s natural aesthetic for a long time.
The only unfortunate thing about this roofing material is that they cost much more than concrete tile roofs.
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How Can I Tell If I Need To Replace My Roof
From the outside, look for:
- Cracked or curled shingles.
- Bald asphalt shingles. Look for a large number of shingle granules in your homes gutters or eavestroughs.
- Wet spots on the interior ceiling.
- Stained rafters in the attic.
- Streaks on the exterior walls.
- Damage around chimneys and vents.
From the inside, look for:
- Sagging roof deck.
- Water damaged areas on the ceiling or the walls.
- Light coming in from outside, through the roof.
Some damage doesnt necessarily mean you have to replace the whole roof. Leaks can be the result of damaged flashing, or perhaps there are just a few shingles that need to be replaced. Roofing contractors can provide a thorough inspection. This might be something to think about every few years.
Foam: 50+ Years With Proper Maintenance
Polyurethane foam roofs are the most popular roofing systems for flat roofs in Arizona and are widely used for commercial roofing systems.
Advantages of foam roofs: Polyurethane foam has the ability to withstand the expansion and contraction of a buildings structure. It’s lightweight, durable, and seamless. Foam roofs insulate your Arizona home, leading to a 7 15% decrease in cooling costs.
- Disadvantages of foam roofs: Foam roofs are generally more expensive than more traditional options. Depending on the type of coating you select, foam roofing has the potential to require more frequent maintenance than other kinds of roofs. This can also be turned into an advantage if you choose a more premium coating, such as silicone, that requires minimal upkeep.
- Eco-Friendly: Since foam roofs are able to keep homes cool in the summer and warmer in the winter, foam roofs help to reduce energy expenses and reliance on utility sourced energy, which is often produced from dirty, non-renewable sources.
- Each inch of foam has an R-rating of approximately 6.5, which means it’s very efficient at reflecting heat away from the building instead of absorbing it. This also helps keep homes cooler in the summer months.
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Why You Need To Know How Long Tile Roofs Last
You want to know how long tile roofs last so if you buy a house with a tile roof or have one installed, you can have an idea how much life you may get out of it. This may be a factor in your budget and offer price for the house. It also may be decided by a home inspector how much life is left in a roof so these are things you need to keep in mind. There are a few things that determine how long tile roofs last so we will take a look at those as well.
How Long Does A Spanish Tile Roof Last
4.2/5tiletile rooflasttile roofsTile roofsread full answer
Tile roofs installed with base flashings only, where gaps exist or cement was used to fill them, can expect to be replaced between years 15 and 25. Roofs with top flashings only will likely last 40-50 years.
Secondly, how long does a Spanish tile roof last in Florida? Asphalt Roofing shingles last 15 to 20 years. Concrete or clay tiles typically last at least 20 years. Wood shingles are good for 10 to 40 years. Metal Roofing shingles or panels last 15 to 40 years.
Beside this, what is the lifespan of a tile roof?
Clay tiles are also more durable. An installation of clay roof tiles can be expected to last 100 years. Because they wear so well over time, clay roof tiles add significantly to a home’s resale value.
How much does it cost to replace a tile roof?
On average, a typical 2,000 square feet tile roof will cost between $25,000 and $45,000 to install, depending on the profile, roof difficulty, choice of material, and location. Note: higher-end clay tiles can cost significantly more than low-end and mid-range tiles.
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How To Determine How Old Your Tile Roof Is
Because tile can withstand damage for decades and even resist fading from constant exposure to sunlight, it can be difficult to know exactly how old your homes roof is if you werent the one to replace it. You can examine the tiles for signs of excess wear along water runoff channels, but that may not give you an accurate answer. Instead of examining the tiles themselves, you can approximate the age and condition of the roof by looking for:
- Water damage or daylight inside the home, which indicates both the tile roof and the underlayment have been breached
- Tile granules inside your gutters from wear and tear
- Rusty or missing flashing
If you notice these problems, as well as general signs of damage like multiple missing tiles, it may be time to bring in a professional.
A Look At Spanish Tile Roof Life Expectancy
Spanish Barrel Tile
Spanish clay tile roofs are beautiful and are the signature look of many Mediterranean-style homes. The barrel shape of the tile gives the roof a contoured appearance while shedding water and providing better airflow than typical asphalt shingles. Part of their charm is that many of these roofs are the color of natural clay and remind the homeowner of days gone by when these barrel tiles would have been made by hand and sun-dried. In fact, there are still companies that make these tiles by hand and dry them in hand-operated kilns.
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Have You Experienced A Close Hurricane
Hurricanes and major windstorms, such as tornados, cause roof chatter, which is the processes of lifting up the roofing materials, disturbing the sealant, cracking the underlayment and then placing the roofing materials back in place. This makes it look like nothing happened and all is normal. In reality, your roofs life was just shortened severely.
Its best to have the roof inspected after a storm to ensure this did not happen. With the statute of limitations set at 3 years in Florida, documenting the event preserves your right to file a claim should repairs or replacement be needed. If your roof has experienced a wind event and has gone undocumented, its possible that the leaks you are experiencing are the result of that storm and widespread.
Unfortunately, we have had a rash of leaks in the last few years as a result of Hurricanes Charley and Wilma from 2004 and 2005 respectively. Unsuspecting homeowners, who looked up and thought everything was okay, are now dealing with constant leaks without any help to pay for them. Click here for a good explanation on how roof leaks occur.
For more information on what we can do to prolong your roofs life .
What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Tile Roof
The life expectancy of a tile roof will all depend on the materials used for the tile roof. In terms of concrete tile roofs, they will last an average of 50 years. Clay tiles can last up to 100 years, terracotta tiles around 50 years, and slate roof tiles can last up to 100 years in the right conditions.
The answer to the question of What is the life expectancy of a tile roof? is at least 50 years. By nature, tile roofs are very durable and will last a long time if installed correctly and are taken care of. The most common roof tiles are concrete, clay, terracotta, and slate. Its also possible to install solar panelled tiles that can be designed to look like ordinary roof tiles. All of these roofing materials are incredibly long-lasting if they are regularly inspected, repaired when damaged, washed, and maintained.
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