Tile roofs have been popular for hundreds of years and are frequently praised for their sturdiness and iconic style.
Across some, tile roofing is simply a fashion statement. It is a distinguishable look that can dramatically change the impression of a home, making it very personal.
Apart from the visual beauty and extremely long life expectancy of tile roofs, there are several other advantages to selecting this material over a less expensive one.
Tile roofing is one of today’s most visually attractive roofing options. On the other hand, it is one of the most pricey roofing options and can take a toll on the framework of old houses.
If you are thinking about remodeling your roof, you can’t beat the value-added attributes of tiles.
However, consider the upsides and downsides of tile roofing to ensure you get the most information before moving ahead.
Table of Contents
Pros of Tile Roofing
Tile is the most widely used roofing material across various countries. Here are some primary reasons why tile roofing remains one of the most prominent selections among homeowners.
1. Extended Lifespan And Durability
The most traditional roofing material is the asphalt shingle, which is relatively cheap to install compared to other materials.
Based on the material, tile is significantly more expensive, but it is much more sturdy than asphalt and will not need to be repaired as frequently. Tile is one of the most long-lasting roofing materials.
Concrete or clay roof tiles can last 50 to 100 years if effectively managed. The most costlier tile material, slate, might last up to 30 years.
Clay, concrete, and slate rooftops are fireproof and resistant to decay, arthropods, and other bug infestations.
Often this tile roofing can withstand very high-temperature extremes, making it perfect for use in almost any climatic condition, and clay is highly resistive to salt air deterioration, making it an excellent choice for homes located near an open sea.
Countless variations of roofing tiles also have superior impact resistance, making them an excellent choice for areas prone to hail or wind gusts.
2. Boosts Aesthetic Value
The colorful multipattern concrete tiles are magnificent and exotic, providing curb appeal to your mansion.
These tiles look great in various home designs, including historical, imperial, European, and trendy architectural styles.
It makes no difference what style of house you have because there is a tile roof for every design aesthetic.
You can even obtain a custom layout of a concrete tile roof. Most companies producing such tiles can tailor layouts to meet the needs of their customers. Custom designs are a perfect idea for houses with innovative and customized looks.
However, anyone intrigued by a modern style should know that it will be significantly more expensive than widely accessible creations.
3. Low Upkeep
Concrete roof tiles rarely leak. Furthermore, they are very robust and rarely require upkeep or servicing unless weather events puncture them.
When tile roofing is fitted on your home, you can sit back and relax, acknowledging that your grandkids will most likely get to see your lovely roof tiles.
4. Heat Distribution
Roof tiles can control the internal temperatures of your household. They preclude heat flux transmission from the sun to your attic and fully reflect over 75% of the hot air, minimizing indoor temperatures and energy costs to cool your home during summer.
Tile roofing, like a furnace, retains more heat in the cold season. Because heat does not escape as quickly as other roofing options, you use far less energy to maintain your home comfortable.
5. Fire Resistance
Tiles are extremely fire resistant due to their stone-like characteristics. They have a Class A fire rating, which is the highest level of fire rating.
Suppose your house was near a bushfire; the clay tiles would do a lot to protect it from falling debris and sparks, preventing it from bursting into flames.
6. Environmentally friendly and saves energy costs
Tile roofing is entirely natural and eco-friendly. It is crafted of earthy components and is typically made of concrete or clay.
This roofing is also an excellent option for green roofing because it contains no harmful chemicals.
Tiles are made from renewable resources; if removed, they can be squashed and reprocessed to make roads.
Tile roofs, whether concrete or clay, can help you save money on energy. You can technically save a major bulk of monthly expenses by limiting your use of air conditioners while minimizing your carbon footprint.
With tile roofing, you can even alleviate the need for cooling systems in your home entirely if you do not live in a hot climate.
7. Increase Your Home’s Value
Placing a skilfully spread tile roof will automatically increase the value of a house, making tile roofing the ideal home investment.
And, because a tile roof will last a lifetime, you will never have to substitute it, saving you money on your initial investment.
Cons of tile roofing
While there are numerous advantages to fixing a tile roof, tile roofs have disadvantages like all roof systems. The accompanying is some of the drawbacks of tile roofs to consider.
1. Expensive
An asphalt shingle roof costs between $8,700 and $22,000. A high-end asphalt shingle setup costs less than a tile roofing installation, which costs between $24,400 and $35,000 for clay or concrete and $32,000 to $50,000 for stone or slate.
Elevated tile roof charges can be attributed to a variety of factors. For instance, like most roofing projects, a tile roof necessitates custom fitting.
Not all roofing contractors have tile expertise, and those who do may charge higher prices. If you choose slate or stone, the bulkier load may necessitate reinforcement of your roof’s internal structure, raising the upfront cost of framing your residence.
2. Challenging Installation
Tile roof installation setup is a difficult task. Anyone interested in tile roofing should always check with an expert.
Such professionals will ensure that the tiles are tested, placed in a set sequence, and inspected for moisture penetration.
Property owners should be aware that tile roofing is never a do-it-yourself project. Pursuing professional assistance is the only way to obtain dependable services. Roofing contractors also understand the most secure way to install tile roofing.
3. Issues With Weight
Tiles, irrespective of material, are much chunkier than shingles. To accommodate the additional weight, you’ll probably need to reinforce your ceiling or the mansion if it doesn’t already have a tile roof.
When you have a tile roof equipped on your residence, you may spend more than you would for standard roofing work.
4. Prone to Fading
Another drawback of roof tiles is that their bright colors fade over time. This typically occurs after the color pigment has been added to the tiles.
This con can be a concern because the color of the substitute tiles may not match the color of the roof when tile roofing is patched. One way to prevent this is to apply the color before the tiles are established.
5. Brittle Structure Resulting In Broken Tiles
Casually walking on the roof can cause the tile to fracture. Roofers use various techniques to go around a tile roof without damaging the material, but people make mistakes. You must never ascend on your roof if you are not a qualified professional.
Incorrectly tiptoeing through will destroy your lovely tile. These tiles are engineered to withstand Mother Nature but not to withstand more than 150 pounds of weight from one edge.
So stay away! In addition, if a tree limb or other sizeable flying object strikes your roof during a hurricane, you may need to substitute a few tiles.
When installing your roof, buying more tiles than you need is a good idea, and storing them safely. In this manner, if patching is required, you will have more on hand.
6. Replacement Costs Can Be High
Placing and mending a tile roof are both difficult tasks. Tile roofs typically outlast the building materials beneath them, which means that replacing sheathing, rafters, or waterproofing sheet that sits beneath the roof could be costly.
Summary table for pros and cons of tile roofing
| Pros |
|---|
| Extended lifetime and durability |
| Boost Aesthetic Value |
| Low Keep Up |
| Fire Resistance |
| Environmentally friendly |
| Heat distribution |
| Saves energy |
| Increase home value |
| Cons |
|---|
| Expensive |
| Challenging Installation |
| Heavier weight |
| Prone to fading |
| Easily Brittle material |
| High Replacement Cost |
While tile roofing works well in many households, it is not a popular choice. When determining whether a tile roof is appropriate for you, you should consider all of the benefits and drawbacks of a tile roof.
You should also ensure that your roof has the necessary slope for this roof system. Whether you choose tile roofing or not, you can be confident that skilled roofers will do a superior job setting up your new roof.
Wanna know more about home improvement? Check out the pros and cons of flat roofing systems.
(Last Updated on August 30, 2022)
