Types of Roof Tiles
- Clay Clay is one of the oldest materials used in roofing. Some of the earliest examples found by archaeologists in China date back as far as 10,000 BC. ...
- Concrete From their inception in the 1800s in Germany, concrete roofing tiles slowly gained popularity across Europe and the world, growing to become one of the most widely used roofing materials. ...
- Slate ...
- Metal ...
- Plastic ...
Which roof tiles are best?
- Shingles have a sleeker, more attractive aesthetic. They integrate well with concrete and asphalt roofs in particular.
- They are weather-resistant and durable.
- They are easier to maintain than solar panels.
- They are cost-effective if you are building a new roof
Which roofing tiles are best for your home?
What Type of Roofing Tiles is Best for Your Home?
- Asphalt Tile Roofs. Most homes are covered with asphalt tiles as they are usually affordable and are offered in various options that look good in any style of home.
- Wood Tile Roofs. ...
- Metal Tile Roofs. ...
- Concrete and Clay Tile Roofs. ...
- M3M: Professional Waterproofing Company. ...
What is the best roof tile?
Tile Styles
- Spanish tiles are the classic Southwest roof, resembling rows of lapping waves with troughs between the rows to carry water away. ...
- Scandia tiles resemble Spanish tiles inverted so they are upside down. ...
- Double Roman tiles resemble Spanish tiles, but the rows have distinct ribs that are quite visible. ...
What are the best tiles?
- BEST OVERALL: IncStores Nitro Interlocking Garage Floor Tiles
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: BeMaxx Gym Flooring Set – Interlocking EVA Soft Foam
- BEST RIGID: GarageTrac Diamond, Durable Interlocking Modular Tile
- BEST FOAM: innhom Foam Floor Tiles
- BEST RUBBER: American Floor Mats Heavy Duty Rubber Flooring
What roof tiles are made of?
Roof tiles are designed mainly to keep out rain, and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as terracotta or slate. Modern materials such as concrete, metal and plastic are also used and some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze.
What are the 3 most common roofing tiles?
We break down the 9 most popular types of roof tiles below so that you can get a clear understanding of what sets each material apart.Slate Roof Tiles. ... Metal Roof Tiles. ... Concrete Roof Tiles. ... Composite Roof Tiles. ... Solar Roof Tiles. ... Clay Roof Tiles. ... Synthetic Spanish Barrel Roof Tiles. ... Synthetic Slate Roof Tiles.More items...
How do you tell if roof tiles are clay or concrete?
The Difference between Clay and Concrete TilesConcrete Tiles Are Heavier. Concrete tiles are 40% heavier than clay tiles. ... Concrete Tiles Are More Absorbant. ... Concrete Tiles Are Stronger. ... Clay Tiles Require Little Maintenance. ... Clay Tiles Don't Fade. ... Clay Tiles Last Longer.
Are roof tiles made of clay?
Today's tiles are created using a combination of natural clays with different desirable qualities. The clay is mixed with water, extruded and trimmed into various tile shapes, and put through a multi-stage kiln-firing process that takes 14-20 hours.
What is the strongest roof tile?
Clay Roof Tiles They can last as long as 100 years and offer great weather resistance. Clay tiles are known to withstand extreme weather conditions, including hailstones as large as two inches and high winds of more than 150 mph. Since clay is made of minerals, they offer an excellent green roofing solution.
What do roof tiles rest on?
On a tiled roof, all the tiles are fixed onto battens with the bottom (lower end) of each tile resting on the top of tile in the row below. At eaves level the last row of tiles (that ends above the gutter) doesn't have a tile or batten to rest on.
How long do clay tile roofs last?
Clay roofs last anywhere from 50 to well over 100 years and are more expensive than concrete tile but typically have great resale value. Slate tile roofs can last 75 to 200 years if they are properly maintained but are expensive and come in a limited array of shapes.
Which is heavier clay or concrete roof tiles?
“Concrete is also heavier than clay and may require a different structural arrangement to support the heavier load, which could add to the cost of the roof.
How long do concrete roof tiles last?
While clay roof tiles have been used on roofs for centuries, concrete tiles have become more widespread over the last half a century. Manufacturers of both clay and concrete roof tiles typically guarantee their products for 30 years but often suggest that 60 years is a reasonable expectation of their service life.
How long do tile roofs last?
50 yearsPerhaps the most important advantage of tile roofing is its lifespan. In general, a cared for and well maintained tile roof can last 50 years, although there are buildings in Europe whose tile roofs have lasted for centuries. Tile roofs exceed all other types of roofing materials for longevity.
Can you walk on a tile roof?
It's important to know that one wrong step can crack and damage the tile on your roof. The flat-smooth surface of tiles makes them slick when wet. To avoid a serious fall, only walk on completely dry tiles. For steep roofs, use a safety harness that will anchor you to the roof in case you slip.
Are roof tiles waterproof?
Waterproofing a tiled roof is necessary, since the layer of roof tiles is not completely water impermeable: water may penetrate either through cracks or imperfections in the roof tiles construction or under the appropriate combination of rain and wind.
Which brand roof tiles is best?
Tapco is the leading company to provide roof shingles in India.
What are different roof tiles called?
Concrete tiles. Clay tiles. Man-made slate tiles. Metal roof tiles.
What are the top tiles on a roof called?
Ridge – These are the tiles that run along the top of your roof. These are generally concrete or clay. Hips – These are similar to the ridge bit they run down the roof from the top to the bottoms corners.
What are stone roof tiles called?
Roofing slatesRoofing slates are stone slabs made out of slate, which are used as roofing tiles. They are the primary product of the slate industry.
What are composite roof tiles made of?
Composite roof tiles are made of plastics and other sustainable products.
What is Tile Roofing?
Tile roofing offers one of the most beautiful (and most popular) roof options for property owners looking for the longest life out of their roof.
What are terracotta roof tiles?
The word terracotta literally means "baked earth." Terracotta roof tiles are made from hard fired clay. Terracotta roofing tiles are synonymous with clay roofing tiles. Clay roof tiles are also sometimes referred to as ceramic roof tiles.
What is a clay roof?
Clay roof tiles are one of the original types of roofing materials manufactured centuries ago. Clay offers excellent moldability, color options, and color retention. While traditional clay tile roofs were natural orange or red in color…. Today’s clay roof tiles come in virtually any color and in dozens of shapes.
What is a Spanish roof tile?
Spanish roof tiles are a form of “barrel roof tile” that have a wavy “S” shape. When it comes to tile roofing, these roof tiles create one of the most commonly recognized tile roof designs. A distinctive pattern of ripples across the roof.
Why are slate roofs so popular?
Slate tile roofs are popular due to their natural appearance, durability, and longevity. In the US, slate roof tiles first appeared in the northeastern area of the country, where large slate deposits were found. Slate roof tiles come in a variety of color and texture options. Colors vary depending on the mineral content.
What is concrete tile?
Concrete tiles are a popular tile option as well. Sometimes called cement roofing tiles, concrete tiles are a mixture of portland cement, sand, water, and sometimes various dyes (for color). Due to its fluid nature prior to curing, concrete tiles are factory-molded into a wide variety of shapes and textures to simulate wood ...
Where did roof tiles come from?
Fired roof-tiles occur from as early as the 3rd millennium BC in the Early Helladic House of the tiles in Lerna, Greece. Debris found at the site contained thousands of terracotta tiles which had fallen from the roof. In the Mycenaean period, roof tiles are documented for Gla and Midea.
What is flat roof tile?
Flat tiles – the simplest type, which are laid in regular overlapping rows. An example of this is the clay-made "beaver-tail" tile (German Biberschwanz [ de] ), common in Southern Germany. Flat roof tiles are usually made of clay but also may be made of stone, wood, plastic, concrete, or solar cells.
What is the Roman pattern of curved and flat tiles that make rain channels on a roof?
Imbrex and tegula – an ancient Roman pattern of curved and flat tiles that make rain channels on a roof.
What is tile hanging?
Tilehanging in Weybridge, Surrey. Tilehanging or vertical tiling is the construction of a building with roof tiles hung vertically on the sides of the building. It is a popular style used in vernacular and neo-vernacular architecture in Britain.
Why are roof tiles interlocking?
Interlocking roof tiles – similar to pantiles with side and top locking to improve protection from water and wind.
What is a double-lap tile?
These are double-lap tiles made originally from clay but more recently in concrete. They are specified generally for their aesthetic properties. The colour were generated through the control of the kiln atmosphere to generate either red, brown or blue tiles depending on the degree of reduction in the kiln.
Why are roof tiles hung in parallel rows?
The tiles are usually hung in parallel rows, with each row overlapping the row below it to exclude rainwater and to cover the nails that hold the row below. There are also roof tiles for special positions, particularly where the planes of the several pitches meet. They include ridge, hip and valley tiles.
What are composite roof tiles made of?
4. Composite Roof Tiles. Composite roof tiles, like Brava’s complete line of synthetic roof tiles, are made from a mixture of natural and man-made materials and have a long list of advantages over natural stone, wood, clay, metal or concrete tiles.
What are the materials used in metal roofs?
The most common materials used in metal roof tiles are copper, aluminum, zinc and steel. Of these materials, steel and aluminum are the most popular. Metal tiles are available in different patterns and shapes to imitate products such as barrel tiles (Spanish roofs), slate tiles, wood shake tiles, and even regular shingle patterns.
Why are Roof Tiles Preferred Over Shingle Roofs?
A shingle roof keeps the water out, and adds color to your home, but roof tiles provide an unmatched variety of options that are simply not available with asphalt shingles.
Why are roof tiles used?
Roof tiles are primarily made to keep water out of a home. However, they differ from traditional asphalt shingle roofs in both their material composition as well as their looks. As far back as the 1600’s, slate tile roofs were being used, and clay roofs can be traced back as far as 10,000 BC! Slate and clay were popular because they were locally available materials but as we moved into the 19th century, concrete and metal tiles started to appear on a regular basis.
What is concrete tile?
Concrete tiles are made to look like wood shakes, clay tiles, and slate tiles and are very attractive. Concrete is very heavy and requires a roof structure that has been reinforced to handle the added weight that comes with these stone roofs.
What is the most popular type of roof tile?
We break down the 9 most popular types of roof tiles below so that you can get a clear understanding of what sets each material apart. 1. Slate Roof Tiles. Slate is a natural stone with a unique, beautiful appearance. Slate provides some very dramatic color variations that only time and Mother Nature can produce.
Why are clay roof tiles so popular?
Clay roof tiles have a long history. Why? Because the base material has always been readily accessible. The tiles were shaped by hand, sun-dried and then used on the roof. These days, the process today is mostly machine-driven, but the finished product is just as beautiful. Most of us are used to seeing a clay roof in the shape of barrel tiles or flat tiles. They come in a variety of colors and are sealed to resist absorbing water.
What are composite roof tiles made of?
Composite roof tiles are interesting because they aren’t made of a single material. In fact, they aren’t even entirely natural or man-made. The materials in composite roof tiles are usually a blend of both. As for natural materials, they might include wood, clay, metal, stone, or concrete.
What Is A Tile Roof?
If we’re going to break down everything you need to know about the different types of tile roofing options available to you, we have to answer a basic question: what is a tile roof?
How Much Do Roof Tiles Cost?
The cost of roof tiles depends heavily on the type of tile you choose and, when purchasing tile for the entire project, how many tiles you need. We’ll take a look at some of your options here.
How Many Tiles On A Standard Roof?
Now that you know how big a standard roof tile is, there’s one more question to answer. How many roofing tiles will you need to cover your roof?
How much does a tile roof cost?
The average cost of roofing tiles is about $4 to $16 per square foot. Once again, this depends on the material. If you want to stay closer to $4 per square foot, an option like concrete is best.
How wide is a roof tile?
Still, there’s a general measurement that you can watch out for. Most roof tiles are 342 mm long, 252 mm wide, and 69 mm deep.
What are the advantages of composite roof tiles?
One big advantage to composite roof tiles is that they can work to mimic a lot of different materials. This means that you can use it in place of another material that might be out of your budget or difficult to install.
What is Brava roof tile made of?
Brava Roof Tile’s selection of synthetic roofing products are all comprised of some form of recycled plastic polymers . We pride ourselves in developing sustainable roofing materials, and at the end of their lifespan, they can even be recycled again! But what makes our polymer-based synthetic roof tiles the best? There are a few reasons that these aren’t just your average roof tiles.
Why Should I Install Plastic Roof Tiles?
Brava’s synthetic roofing materials are top-notch recreations of the material they’re inspired by, and in every case, they have characteristics that outperform those natural materials.
How long do plastic roofs last?
And, roof plastics last a very long time. Traditional asphalt shingles and wooden shakes can last for up to 30 years if they’re well-maintained, but we’re proud to say that our plastic roof materials can last for 50 years or more with the proper care and maintenance. Only natural slate can outlast the longevity of our roof plastics, and even then, the slate has to be impeccably cared-for, perfectly installed, and it has to be located in a decent climate. Our plastic shingles don’t come with the same the restrictions and hazards posed by natural roofing materials.
Is synthetic shakes the same as real wood?
Our synthetic shakes offer a look and feel identical to real wood, but without the weaknesses wood comes with. Synthetic shakes are resistant to molds and mildews, and they don’t crack or break off nearly as easily as real wood. Plus, they’re far more fire-resistant than wood, since they’re made out of roof plastics.
Is synthetic slate roofing good?
Synthetic slate shingles save you money on both materials and installation, making them an insanely good value.
Is plastic roofing good?
Roof plastics are among the most durable, reliable, and lightweight types of roofing materials you can find today. Roof plastics are used in a variety of types of composite roofing and they’re becoming increasingly popular for residential roofs because of the advantages that they have to offer.
Is synthetic slate better than natural stone?
Briefly touched on above, the biggest advantage of synthetic slate is that it’s exponentially lighter in weight than natural stone. As you can imagine, stone roofing materials are incredibly heavy, and they add a lot of cost to the labor behind building a roof. Synthetic slate shingles save you money on both materials and installation, making them an insanely good value.
What is asphalt shingles?
Shingles made with asphalt as the main ingredient are the most popular shingles sold in the U.S. today, and so the asphalt used at these roofing facilities is processed to meet the stringent quality requirements needed to create strong, yet flexible, shingles.
How is limestone rock processed?
Limestone rock, which typically arrives at plants by truck or rail car, is processed by crushing mills into a fine limestone powder. This powder is then mixed with the asphalt to make a product called filled coating. On the production line, miles upon miles of rolled fiberglass mat that serves as the ‘backbone’ of shingles are rolled out and fed into a coater, where the filled coating – super-heated to more than 400 degrees Fahrenheit – is applied to the top and bottom of the mat to create a base sheet.
Overview
Roof tiles are designed mainly to keep out rain, and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as terracotta or slate. Modern materials such as concrete, metal and plastic are also used and some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze.
Roof tiles are 'hung' from the framework of a roof by fixing them with nails. The …
Shapes (profiles)
Numerous shapes (or "profiles") of roof tiles have evolved. These include:
• Flat tiles – the simplest type, which are laid in regular overlapping rows. An example of this is the clay-made "beaver-tail" tile (German Biberschwanz [de]), common in Southern Germany. Flat roof tiles are usually made of clay but also may be made of stone, wood, plastic, concrete, or solar cells.
History
Tiled roofs first replaced thatched roofs in ancient Mesopotamia. Although house models from Indus Valley Civilization show that the houses were flat roofed, Harappan sites such as Alamgirpur (dated 2600–2200 BCE) provide evidence of roof tiles. Fired roof-tiles occur from as early as the 3rd millennium BC in the Early Helladic House of the tiles in Lerna, Greece. Debris found at the si…
Tilehanging
Tilehanging or vertical tiling is the construction of a building with roof tiles hung vertically on the sides of the building. It is a popular style used in vernacular and neo-vernacular architecture in Britain.
In China
In China, roof tiles are in use throughout the country on temples and village houses. Both imbrex and tegula and mission tiles are used.
Temples typically use glazed, often ornate tiles and antefixes. The most common traditional colour is orange-yellow.
Old buildings mainly have simple, clay tiles that have been fired in a kiln. Tiled …
Solar tiles
Dow Chemical Company began producing solar roof tiles in 2005, and several other manufacturers followed suit. They are similar in design to conventional roof tiles but with a photovoltaic cell within in order to generate renewable electricity. A collaboration between the companies SolarCity and Tesla produced a hydrographically printed tile which appears to be a regular tile from street level but is transparent to sunlight when viewed straight on.
Gallery
• A roof made only of Monk and Nun tiles
• A typical temple roof in China
• Manufacture of roof tiles
See also
• Chinese glazed roof tile
• Roof tile−related topics