ROOFING

Tile Roofing

For thousands of years, tile roofing has protected homes from harsh, natural elements like heavy winds and hail damage. Not only does a properly-installed tile roof serve as a safeguard, but it elevates the curb appeal of your home. Whether you need to replace your roof due to age or damage, tile roofing offers a beautiful, durable, and energy-efficient solution for most homeowners.

There are many factors to consider before buying a tile roof first. As your local roofing expert, we’ll share everything you need to know about roof tile types, along with the benefits and drawbacks of tile roofing.

Clay Tile Roof in Frisco, TX

What is Tile Roofing?

Tile roofing is a specialized type of roof installation designed to protect homes from rain, wind, and other damaging environmental elements. Starting at the bottom of the roof, the process begins with a row of tiles securely installed onto the roof deck. The tile roofing system continues by overlapping the next row of tiles to the first row until the roof is completely covered. When properly installed, roof tiles can last up to 100 years based on how you maintain them.

Tile roofing actually dates back to 10,000 BCE when clay tiles were used for roofing in China, before spreading to the rest of the world. Today, roof tiles are made from various materials such as metal and bitumen, but the most common materials used include clay, concrete, and slate.

Overlapping Tiles on a Roof

What are the Most Popular Types of Roof Tiles ?

Roof tiles come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. They also vary in price, weight, and durability.  Let’s take a closer look at the three most popular roof tiles types for homeowners in the North Dallas area who may need tile roof repair or replacement.

Clay tile home rooftop

Clay Tiles

Clay tiles have been around for centuries—and with good reason. They’re still commonly used because clay tiles are fire and weather resistant with an absorption rate of about 6%. That means they take in much less water compared to other roof tiles such as concrete and slate.

Clay tile roofing is recommended for roofs exposed to salt air or hot weather. If you’re looking for a more traditional finish, clay tile roofing might be the best roof type for you.

Concrete Tiles

Concrete tiles are another popular option. It’s also the most affordable tile roofing type! Made from sustainable materials like cement, sand, water, and dye—concrete tiles are cheap to manufacture, environmentally friendly, and fire-resistant too.

Stack of concrete roof tiles
Slate Roof Tiles

Slate Tiles

As one of the classiest roofing options, slate tiles are popular given their unique and elegant appearance. But it’s also one of the most expensive tile roofing types.

Like the previous tiles, slate tiles are fire-resistant and durable. However, considering that slate roof tiles are made from natural stone, they are also heavy and may require reinforcements to help support the extra weight, similar to concrete tiles.

What are the Advantages of Tile Roofs?

Aesthetic appeal aside, here are some of the benefits that come with tile roofing:

Long-lasting

Tile roofing could possibly last you a lifetime. That’s right—when properly installed, a brand-new tile roof can last up to 100 years. In fact, most tile roof manufacturers typically offer a 50-year warranty as proof of tile roofing’s endurance.

Fire and weather resistant

Designed for fire and weather resistance, tile roofs last long due to their strong and sturdy nature. Clay, concrete, and slate tile roofs are known to withstand extreme conditions, including hail, high winds, and fire—but that doesn’t mean tile roofs are non-combustible.

Energy-efficient

Not only are tile roofs environmentally friendly, but they’re energy-efficient too! The gap beneath roof tiles creates natural air ventilation that blocks heat from entering your home. This reduces your need to use an air conditioner—therefore reducing your energy costs.

Are there any Disadvantages of Tile Roofing?

There are also potential drawbacks to tile roofing that you should keep in mind as well:

Expensive

While prices vary depending on the market, tile roofing can come with some hefty out-of-pocket costs. Generally, tile roofing is twice as expensive as asphalt shingles. Then again, the longevity of tile roofing and the minimal maintenance required could offset the final cost.

Heavy materials

Tiles can be extremely heavy with clay tiles weighing as much as 12 pounds each. Therefore, it’s crucial your home has the right structural reinforcement to properly support such weight.

Difficult installation

Tile roofing is no easy feat. That’s why it’s so important to hire a professional roofing company with experience installing all types of roof tiles. A tile roofing system requires thorough planning as roof tiles must be correctly measured and meticulously checked for quality assurance.

Additional Roof Tile Types

In addition to the clay tiles, concrete tiles and slate tiles we’ve covered above, there are several other types of roof tile you might like better, including:

If you’re interested in replacing your existing roof with a tile roof, reach out to our experienced roofing company today serving all areas of the DFW metroplex including Dallas, Plano and McKinney. 

Luxury home with clay tile roof in Frisco TX