The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Tiled roofs are beautiful and durable.
Traditionally, most roofing tiles were made from slate or a fired clay or terracotta product.
Tile roofing is a greatchoice for roofsthat experience hot weather or exposure to salt air.
The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto
Learn the pros and cons of tile roofing, including clay, concrete, and slate tiles.
Clay and concrete tile roofs have been known to withstand hail, high winds, and even fire.
Most manufacturers offer warranties, some up to 50 years or more.
French tile roofR.Tsubin / Getty Images
Modern tile roofs come in sheets of tiles for easier installation.
Tile is considered to be a sustainable roofing material.
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Spanish clay tile roofCaraMaria / Getty Images
An asphalt roof, by comparison, weighs only around 275 to 425 pounds across the same area.
Repairs can be expensive.
Tile roofs are suitable only for roofs with relatively sharp slopes.
Barrel tile roofAdStock / Getty Images
They should not be used on roofs with pitches of less than 4:12.
Materials alone cost an average of $6 per square foot.
Labor alone costs an average of $10 per square foot.
Flat shake tile roofsteverts / Getty Images
Styles
A tile roof and a shingle roof each have their own advantages.
One difference to be aware of, though, is weight.
Tiles are heavier than shingles.
Otherwise, a tile roof doesn’t necessarily add more home value than other types of roofing materials.
Tile roofs are not high maintenance, but they do require some maintenance.
Even though these roofs are durable, they may require repairs or maintenance due to breakage from heavy impact.
Once you install tile, you will never have to install anothertype of roofing materialagain.
The Facts about Tile Roofs.Tile Roofing Institute.
Levine, Jeffrey.The Repair, Replacement and Maintenance of Historic Slate Roofs.National Park Service.
Grimmer, Anne and Williams, Paul.The Preservation and Repair of Historic Clay Tile Roofs.National Park Service.
Why Tile?Tile Roofing Industry Alliance.
