Tile roofing is the Mercedes Benz of roofing materials. You really can’t get better than tile. It’s long-lasting, thermal, strong, quiet, and easy to maintain. But there is a very good reason why it’s not on every building in the world. It’s expensive and heavy. It’s also not very DIY friendly because of how easily tiles crack underfoot.
Before you decide if tile roofing is right for you, you need to read our list of pros and cons. First, let’s focus on the highlights.
Pros to Roof Tiles
Long Lifespan
You may live your entire life without ever needing to replace your roof! Talk about a low maintenance solution!
Roof tiles can last 75 to 100 years or more. Clay tiles typically last longer than concrete tiles. There are clay roofs in Asia that have been known to last hundreds of years!
Heat Distribution
Concrete and clay tiles regulate the internal temperatures of your home. They prevent heat flux transfer from the sun to your attic and actually reflect over 75% of the heat, lowering the indoor temperature and the energy cost to cool your home in the warm weather months.
Like a kiln, in the wintertime, tile roofing holds more heat inside. You use less energy to keep your house warm because it’s not escaping like it would with other roofing options.
Strength
Due to their mass and density, concrete and clay tiles are extremely durable when facing the elements. Unlike their asphalt and metal alternatives, they stand up to UV rays, rain, and wind like a champ.
Outdoor Sound Reduction
Tile roofing has been tested to reduce the noise of outdoor sounds by 30 decibels, offering you a quieter living experience, even if you live in high-traffic areas or near an airport.
Easy Repair
Once a tile is cracked or broken, the risk of water leaking in is high. If it’s a small crack or hole, it can be filled with plastic roofing cement. If a single tile is beyond repair, the tile is carefully removed, roofing cement is put down and a new tile takes its place.
Cons of Roof Tiles
Clay and concrete tile doesn’t have many cons to it. It’s a highly protective roofing material that lasts a lifetime. But there are a few drawbacks you should know about before choosing to have a tile roof installed on your property.
Paper Replacement
The paper under the tiles will need to be replaced every 20 to 30 years. That means a professional roofing contractor will remove all of the tiles carefully from your roof, discard the old paper, and lay down the new paper. Then, the original tiles can be reinstalled.
Broken Tiles
Simply walking on the roof can crack the tile. There are a number of techniques out there that roofers use to get across a tile roof without harming the clay, but accidents still happen. If you are not a trained professional, you should never climb up on your own roof.
Improperly treading across will damage your beautiful tile. They are designed to withstand Mother Nature, not over 150lbs of pressure from one foot. So keep off!
Also, if a tree limb or other heavy flying debris were to strike your roof during a storm, you may have to replace a few tiles. It’s a good idea to buy more tiles than you need when your roof is installed, and keep them in a safe place. This way, when repairs are needed, you have more on hand.
Weight
A tile roof is heavy, and not all buildings are capable of handling the weight. To put it into comparison for you, a 10×10 foot square of asphalt shingles weighs approximately 200lbs. The same square of tile roofing will weigh 3 to 5 times that amount. That’s 1,000lbs above your head at any given moment. There is no doubt that you will want to be 200% certain that the roof’s rafters and building’s infrastructure is able to hold it. That’s why it’s imperative to hire experts with decades of experience under their belt when you have a tile roof installed.
Expense
The initial cost of a tile roof will be significantly more than an asphalt shingle roof. But when you consider that an asphalt roof will last at maximum 20 years, the total cost evens out. The amount of money you will spend on your roof in your lifetime is less when you choose a tile roof because they are low maintenance, cheaper to repair, and last up to five times longer.
If your house can support the weight of tile roofing and it’s within your budget, it is an economical investment in the long run, especially since they save on energy costs. However, since it has a high initial price tag, many people can’t afford the expense and choose asphalt because it’s cheap. But you get what you pay for.
Roofing Recovery Can Install and Repair Your Tile Roofing in the Dade, Broward, and West Palm Beach Area, Florida
If you want your next roof to be made of concrete or clay tile, contact Roofing Recovery today and speak to a knowledgeable customer service representative. We will answer all of your questions and help you to decide if roof tiles are in your home’s future.