Keeping the Rain Where It Belongs: An Homage to Roofs

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A Few Things You Should Know About Roofing Tiles

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Many people consider tiles some of the most beautiful roofing materials. However, you should look beyond the material's aesthetics when choosing roofing materials. Know each roofing material's energy efficiency, variety, cost, durability, and other features before selection. Here are some of the things you should know about roofing tiles.

They Are Available in Different Types 

Roofing tiles come in three main types.

1. Concrete

Sand, water, and cement are the basic materials for concrete tiles. Roofing manufacturers also use oxides to add color to concrete tiles.

2. Slate

Slate is a naturally occurring rock that forms when intense heat and pressure compress soil particles into fine-grained rocks. Roofing manufacturers then split the rocks into smooth and flat pieces of tiles.

3. Clay

Roofing companies manufacture clay tiles by molding and baking clay. The process is similar to brick making, with the major difference being their relative sizes and shapes.

They Are Heavy

Tiles are some of the heaviest roofing materials available today. For example, asphalt shingles do not even reach 500 pounds per square (one square is 100 square feet). However, tiles can easily exceed 1000 pounds per square. The tiles' weight calls for strong structural support; otherwise, the roof structure might deform with time and cause roof damage.

They Are Available in Multiple Colors

Many people think of terra cotta's burnt orange or brown when considering tile roofing colors. However, roofing tiles are available in a wide variety of colors. 

  • Slate color mainly depends on the color of the rocks from which the manufacturer cut the tiles. As such, slate tiles maintain their colors for unbelievably long times.
  • Clay tile color depends on the color of the soil from which the manufacturer molded the tiles, plus the coloring ingredients the manufacturer added.
  • Concrete tile color depends on the coloring ingredients or oxides the manufacturer used when mixing concrete.

Slate tile color typically varies by region since rock color is region-dependent. However, you can transport roofing materials from all parts of the country if you have the resources.

They Are Durable

Tile roofing is one of the most durable roofing materials available today. Exposure to different weather elements rarely affects roofing tiles. Since roofing tiles mainly comprise natural ingredients or materials, they are relatively immune to material degradation. For example, slate tiles can last over a hundred years.

Roofing tiles are heavy and require professional handling and installation. Contact a roofing contractor to find out more.


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