Before you get your roof replaced, it always helps to weigh your options to figure out what’ll best fit your budget, aesthetic considerations, and expectations in terms of maintenance and longevity. Because roof replacement can cost a pretty penny, you can’t – or shouldn’t – just make snap decisions on what sort of material to go with. Take the time to study what’s available on the market and compare it with your wants and needs to pick out what’s best for you.

Say you’ve weighed your options and, out of all the materials available to you, you’ve set your heart on roof tiles. Before you take the plunge, however, you may want to know a little more about tile roofing: what it is, why it can be good for your home, and how to take care of roof tiles so that they’ll last a long time.

THE BASICS OF TILE ROOFING

Let’s start with the most commonly asked questions about tile roofing.

What are roof tiles made of?

A variety of roof tiles are available on the market. You’ve got roof tiles made of concrete, clay, terracotta, slate, plastic, and synthetic. You also have the option of solar roof tiles if you’d like to take your home’s energy efficiency capabilities to another level altogether.

PART I: INTRO TO TILE ROOFING

Are roof tiles durable?

Durability depends on a number of factors, not least of which is proper installation and care. Roof tiles are generally durable and enjoy a long lifespan, but they need to be installed and maintained properly. If incorrectly installed, simply stepping on a roof tile the wrong way can break it, which is why many manufacturer warranties are contingent on correct installation.

Are roof tiles difficult to install?

Experienced roof tile installers will have no difficulty with installation. Attempting to do the installation on your own, however, might not be such a great idea. You could end up damaging more tiles than you actually place on your roof. If you have no experience at all, it’s best you let professionals handle the job – they may make it look easy, but trust me, it isn’t.

Do roof tiles have different designs?

Roof tiles come in a dizzying number of designs. Some of the most common are flat tiles, imbrex and tegula, pantiles or S-tiles, roman tiles, barrel tiles, shingle tiles, pan and cover tiles, and interlocking ones. Regardless of design, they are usually fitted in rows, with one row overlapping the one just below. This not only prevents water from seeping in, but also increases the overall strength of the roof by spreading any loads over a wider surface area.

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You may have made the decision to use roof tiles for you home because they look good on your neighbor’s house or numerous friends are recommending them. There are a good number of reasons why roof tiles are highly recommended around the world. In the second part of this blog series, we discuss some of the main advantages of roof tiles.

PART I: INTRO TO TILE ROOFING

In Part I, we discussed the basics of tile roofing that beginners should be aware of. In this post, we go on to discuss the advantages of tile roofing. This should give you insights on why roof tiles are one of the most popular roofing materials in the world.

Earlier, we said that tiled roofs bring plenty of advantages – so many, in fact, that a separate book will have to be written to tackle them all. For now, however, let’s just take a quick look at the advantages that are of most value to homeowners like you and me.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is the big thing today. So when it comes to talk about the home and the best home improvement materials designed to promote the efficient use of energy, roofs and roofing materials are no exception. The good news is that roof tiles are one of the most energy efficient roofing materials available today, regardless of what they’re made of. Roof tiles are proven to prevent heat from escaping the home during winter, thereby cutting your heating costs throughout the entire house considerably. Tile roofing also prevents heat from coming into the home during summer, thereby saving you money even while keeping your home cool and comfortable.

PART II: ADVANTAGES OF TILE ROOFING

Durability

When installed correctly, roof tiles can sustain winds of over 150 miles per hour. Not many roofing materials can boast this, except for solid concrete flat roofs. Additionally, the color of the tiles can last for a long time. Tile colors may soften or fade a bit over time, but not as much as with other roofing materials.

Easy to maintain and repair

All roofing materials need to be maintained properly, but roof tiles are much easier to maintain than others. In fact, you’ll only need to perform a visual inspection once in a while or, at least, mainly after major weather disturbances. One tip: Do check the gutters more often, though, to make sure that they aren’t blocked.

The best thing about roof tiles is that it’s rare for the entire roof or, rather, large sections of the roof to sustain damage at the same time. Usually, just one or two pieces at a time will break or get damaged, so you only need to have the broken pieces replaced for your roof to look and perform as good as new.

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As mentioned earlier, every roof needs to be maintained. It might be easier to maintain roof tiles than other materials, but this doesn’t mean you should ignore your roof for extended periods. In the next post, we discuss proper maintenance procedures for roof tiles, so stay tuned!

PART II: ADVANTAGES OF TILE ROOFING

In the last post, we discussed the main advantages of tile roofing. Foremost among the characteristics of tile roofing are durability and easy maintenance. Because roof tiles demand a lot less than do other roofing materials in terms of maintenance, you normally will need only to inspect the gutters, venting, and protrusion flashings on a periodic basis. Unlike other roofing materials, tile roofing doesn’t require regular painting, cleaning, or sealing of the entire roof surface, as other materials do.

Below are some basic maintenance tips for tile roofing that can help lengthen your roof system’s lifespan.

Visual inspection after major weather disturbances

Roofing contractors do the best they can when installing tile roofing. However, major weather disturbances may loosen tiles. After every major weather event, take the time to inspect your roof for any loose tiles so that they can be repaired or replaced if needed. Remember that small problems are easier to fix than larger ones, so act quickly!

Check the gutters regularly

Stagnant water in the gutters is often a result of a blocked drainage system. This will not only result in damage to the gutter system, but will also increase the risk of destroying the roof tiles and, consequently, the entire roof assembly. Furthermore, insects that breed in stagnant water can make you and your family susceptible to insect-borne diseases. Check your gutters at least once every quarter to ensure that water continues to flow through them freely.

PART III: CARING FOR TILE ROOFING

Remove trees or tree branches near the roof

Roof tiles may be durable, but if there’s a tree branch that keeps hitting the roof every time the wind blows, it can cause quite a bit of damage to your tile. Trees near the home may look good, but it’s best if the branches are kept away from the roof. You’ll not only save on repair costs, but also on the number of times that you’ll need to clear your gutters in a year. Leaves are notorious when it comes to blocking gutters.

Schedule roof inspections

Tile roofs may sometimes have damage that is not visible during a walk-around. If you want to ensure that your roof is properly maintained, it’s best to schedule a roof inspection with a professional at least once a year. Roof inspections cost far less than would roof repair or replacement. If something does need to be repaired, at least you will have caught it early, before it has the chance to develop into a bigger (and more expensive) concern.

PART III: CARING FOR TILE ROOFING

GARLOCK-FRENCH CORPORATION

2301 EAST 25TH STREETMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55406

(612)444-8900

Garlock-French.com