If you’re set on having a tiled roof for your home, our guide will be useful. We will be covering the many different types of roofing tiles that you have available and their pros and cons. In addition, the guide will shine a light on some tips from experts on how even unexperienced buyers can make the right decision and pick suitable roof tiles for their new home.
Let’s begin with different types of roof tiles
You can choose from quite the abundance of different roof tiles. The differences aren’t just aesthetic, either. The physical properties and, of course – pricing as well as general durability can vastly differ, too. Clay, concrete, metal – these are just some of the options. Let’s look at them in more depth.
- Metal – copper, steel, aluminum – just some of the metals that are used for tile manufacture. They’re quite pricey, compared to other options, but possess environmentally friendly traits and great energy efficiency. Metal tiles are also capable of lasting over 50 years.
- Clay – one of the most popular materials out there. Tiles from clay last up to 55-60 years before needing to change, but most warranties don’t extend over 30 years. Their absorption rate is only around 6%, making them quite suitable for rainy environments.
- Concrete – in almost a half of European markets, concrete tiles are the most popular option. They offer arguably the best price to longevity ratio. They last up to 55-60 years and have great fire resistance properties.
- Natural slate – albeit very heavy, natural slate roof tiles are extremely long-lasting, often outpacing even a century. The construction of the house needs to be reinforced, however, before putting up such heavy tiles. It’s also a bit more costly than the abovementioned options.
Special lightweight tiles are easy and quick to install, but aren’t as durable as their heavy counterparts. Pantiles are a very old and time-tested technology, but price ranges are much higher. Reclaimed roof tiles are great for authentic renovations or heritage landmarks, as well as historic neighborhoods.
Roof slope (pitch) – the most important factor in choosing a roof tile
Every roof has a pitch angle (well, except plain and level roofs). Depending on the steepness of the pitch, appropriate choices of tiling can change. The pitch or slope steepness is mostly up to the architect and the project owner but it’s also closely linked to the geographic and cultural uniqueness of certain regions and countries.
Roofs with lesser slopes usually have a cheaper and quicker installation process. However, higher-pitched roofs are much better in environments where there’s a lot of rain and snowfall. It’s harder to maintain, however.
If your roof has a very low pitch, your choices of tiles is very limited and you might need to choose an entirely different roof type. Make sure to consult your contractors for the best maintenance advice and to give tips on choice of tile material.
