Roof Materials - Tile

Concrete Tile Roof Materials

Concrete Tile Roof

Concrete Tile

Concrete tiles are made up of sand, cement, and water. They are very long lasting, and offer great protection against different elements as long as the underlayment and flashings are done correctly. The key to a successful concrete tile roof (as with many materials) is in the proper installation of these roof components.

Concrete tiles are very fire resistant and usually come with a top class fire rating. Concrete tiles are very resistant to damage from hail, offer good protection against rain and can withstand wind speeds up to 125 miles per hour. They also allow snow to run off the roof more effectively than many other roofing materials. Concrete tiles can last the lifetime of the house, so manufacturer warranties are normally long and in some cases you may find limited lifetime warranties.

It is commonly mistaken that concrete tiles should only be installed on houses in hot climate areas. However, if certain installation precautions are taken you should be fine. Concrete tile was first created in Europe and has been used in cold climates there for more than 100 years.

Like clay tiles, concrete comes in a wide range of colors, textures, and styles. They can be rough or smooth on the tile face surface, all one color, or may be prepared as a set of complementary colors. Concrete tiles can also be made to look like a number of different roofing materials such as clay, slate, or even wood shingles. However, if you must replace broken tiles, it is usually difficult to match colors with the original tile since the fading will take place over the life of the material.

While concrete tiles are not typically as expensive as clay tiles, they do require a similar level of labor to install correctly. You can purchase concrete tiles in standard weight or a lighter weight version. If possible the standard tiles should be used because lightweight tiles are less durable and are often more expensive.

Pros:

• Long life
• Long warranty
• Strong material
• Available in a variety of shapes and colors
• Environmentally Friendly

Cons:

• Material and installation expense
• A heavy material not suitable for all roofs