Roof tile can add beauty, curb appeal and resale value to any home or project. Available in numerous styles and color finishes, tile roofs complement virtually any architectural style. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, tile provides durability, protection from the elements and a long-lasting roofing solution.

Tile is often known as red and round. However, roof tiles come in many colors, profile shapes and sizes. Concrete and clay roof tile manufacturers produce tiles that emulate such styles as authentic Spanish and Mediterranean to New England colonial, historic and more contemporary designs.

Through various production techniques, manufacturers have augmented the traditional range of roof tile colors to include natural earth tones, vivid accent colors in blues and purples, and solid white, which helps to reduce summertime cooling bills. For additional variety, customers can select roof tiles in blended colors or install different colored tiles in random or uniform patterns across roof surfaces.

Clay roof tile has been used for centuries all around the world. Both clay and its modern partner, concrete roof tile, are extremely durable. With proper building design and installation, tile roofs can last 50 to 100 years, or more. Most roof tile manufacturers provide a minimum 50-year transferable limited product warranty. Unlike other materials, tile does not rot in wet climates and is not susceptible to destruction from pests. Tile can be used in any climate or region and can withstand the severest weather conditions including fire, wind and snow.

Most new residential and commercial structures require little or no additional structural support for tile installation. Several tile roof manufacturers offer lightweight tile specifically designed for re-roofing projects.

As a general rule, concrete tile roofs cost much less than slate, about two times more than wood shakes, and approximately three times more than heavy-weight asphalt shingles. Clay roof tiles cost slightly more than concrete. Compared to other roofing materials, both concrete and clay tile can outlast the life of the structure, which makes tile a cost-effective choice over the long-term.

A tile roof is a permanent roof and in most cases will outlast the structure it supports. To ensure its longevity, a skilled craftsman and quality materials are required for proper installation. There are many steps involved with the installation process, including the placement of underlayment, battens, flashings for valleys, chimneys, solar panels and skylights, as well as cutting tiles along roof hips and valleys. The Tile Roofing Institute offers installation guides to help first-time and veteran installers.

Both concrete and clay roof tiles are made from materials that do not deplete precious natural resources. Tile is manufactured without chemical preservatives, and old tiles can be recycled to make new tiles or other products. Roof tiles are also energy efficient. Due to the superior thermal capacity of roof tiles and their natural ventilated air space, a tile roof can lower air conditioning costs in warm climates and produce more constant temperatures in colder regions, which reduce potential ice accumulation.

Tile roofing has multiple properties that make it an energy-efficient roofing material. Light- or white-colored roof tiles were shown to cool the house beneath it by reducing the amount of heat transferred from outside to inside. Research from Oak Ridge National Laboratory also shows that tile roofing’s mass, reflectivity and ventilation beneath the tiles contribute to a reduction of heat transference of at least 50 percent, when compared to a traditional asphalt shingle roof. Coated clay tiles can cut the transfer of heat by up to 70 percent.

Under normal conditions, tile roofs require minimal maintenance. However, all roofing systems require some maintenance, and certain climates and regions have special issues to address regardless of the type of roofing system. With tile, maintenance is restricted to gutters, protrusion flashings and venting. With other roofing systems, maintenance may include coating, painting, cleaning and/or sealing the majority of the roof surface.

With proper installation, tile roofing systems remain one of the most durable and cost-effective options in highwind climates around the world. Tile roofing systems are the only roofing systems that are 125-mile-per-hour, wind-tunnel tested to ensure performance in extreme wind conditions.

Concrete and clay roof tiles have Class A fire-ratings, which mean they are non-combustible. Both types of roof assemblies maintain their Class A fire-ratings throughout their lifecycles, requiring no additional or periodic treatments. In addition, structures with Class A-rated tile systems may be eligible for lower fire insurance premiums.


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