Clay roof tiles offer a traditional appearance and a sturdy strength to your property, looking great whilst ensuring sufficient protection from extreme elements. However, with so many choices of roofing tiles available, why should you choose traditional clay tiles?
Read on as our ultimate guide explores the advantages and disadvantages of installing clay roofing tiles on your property, helping you to make an informed decision.
What Are Clay Roof Tiles?
Clay roof tiles are a traditional form of roof material that is installed onto a roof to protect the building from extreme weather conditions.
To create clay tiles, a wet clay mixture is placed into tile moulds and then baked in a kiln at a high but consistent temperature. Each tile becomes hard once it has cooled, with varying densities achieved depending on the duration and temperature used in the kiln.
This type of roof tile is a durable choice and can last as long as a full century when looked after sufficiently, providing protection for your property.
Of course, additional factors affect the longevity of the tiles, with clay tiles lasting fewer years in locations that experience difficult climates.
Essential maintenance is vital to extend the lifespan of your clay roofing tiles, however, fixing loose shingles and replacing any damaged tiles.
Clay tiles come in an array of colours so you can achieve almost any aesthetic. Terracotta roof tiles are particularly popular, offering a rustic, orange glow.
Terracotta tiles are a good choice if you are aiming to achieve a traditional aesthetic for your property, although these tiles do suit a range of styles.
What Are the Advantages of Clay Roof Tiles?
Clay roof tiles offer the homeowner numerous benefits, resulting in this roofing material becoming a popular choice.
1. Attractive Aesthetics
Nothing looks better than traditional clay tiles, uniformly installed on a roof. This distinctive look can be adapted to suit different property shapes as well as different colour tones and architectural style.
A clay tile can be formed in a barrel tiles mould to offer a unique look to any roof structure.
Alternatively, opt for French tiles or Spanish tiles for a European continental aesthetic for classic tile roofs.
2. Lasting Longevity
When expertly installed and looked after fully, clay tiles could last as long as 100 years! That is definitely value for money!
Clay can survive in difficult climates, from extreme hot weather to severe storms, wind, and hail. If this level of durability wasn’t enough, you can also rest assured that clay offers fire resistance for added safety and longevity.
So, if your location is prone to wildfires, clay could be the sensible roofing material to opt for.
3. Minimal Maintenance
Once your clay tiles have been installed on your property, minimal maintenance is required, providing an easy option for busy homeowners. Periodic roof inspections are worthwhile, however, helping you to identify and fix loose tiles and replace any damaged tiles.
4. Energy Efficient
Installing clay tiles on your roof can help your property to become more energy efficient, using less energy to heat your home due to the insulating benefits of the clay material.
Similarly, these natural properties of clay help to keep your home cooler in hotter climates, requiring fewer blasts of the air conditioner.
5. Eco-Friendly Material
Choosing clay as your roofing material is an environmentally friendly choice of roofing material as clay is made from natural raw material, requiring minimal processing in contrast to concrete roof tiles and slate tiles.
What Are the Disadvantages of Clay Roof Tiles?
Whilst clay tiles are a great choice for any building, there are some disadvantages to consider.
1. Expensive Material
To purchase clay tiles, you could pay a substantial price as clay can be an expensive material. Cheaper options such as asphalt shingles may lower the cost substantially, although such materials will not last as long.
So, whilst the initial purchase of clay tiles could cost homeowners a lot of money, over time opting for clay tiles will prove to be the wise choice.
2. Installation Cost
To install clay roof tiles, you need an expert team although sufficiently skilled experts can require a high price.
However, choosing the right person to install your tiles is vital, as an inexperienced person may cause damage to the roof and the tiles, leading to a waste of materials and further issues with the roof as the years pass by.
3. Heavy Weight
Clay tiles are tough but this means that they are a heavy material to install onto a roof. Some roofs and building structures may not be strong enough to support the heavyweight of the tile, resulting in cracks and damage to the building.
Some buildings may need to be reinforced before clay tiles can be installed, requiring an additional cost for the homeowner.
4. Colour Limitations
Whilst you can choose from a range of orange and grey colour tones when picking your new roof tiles, clay tiles are limited in a wider range of colours. So, depending on the aesthetic you are aiming for, you might need to look at other materials for more unique colours.
5. Tile Fading
Clay tiles are durable and can withstand tough weather conditions. However, there is still a strong possibility that the colour of the tiles may fade overtime after years of sunlight exposure and experiencing storms and extreme elements.
Final Thoughts on Clay Roof Tiles
Clay roofing materials are the sensible choice for any homeowner, offering a tough roof material that looks great and lasts a very long time.
Visit RoofStuff now for more information. You can find a range of products such as flashing to suit any budget, roof repair solutions and ventilation options.
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