Tile roofs come in many styles, each with its own preferred applications and intrinsic beauty. But there’s more to them than what meets the eye: Learn about what else makes them so attractive to homeowners.

An exotic sense of romance is associated with tile roofs, which commonly appear on Southwest-style and Mediterranean-inspired homes. Whether made of fired clay, concrete, or slate, though, these individual tiles are good for more than looks. Get to know the selling points that make these materials such popular roofing options and weigh those strengths against key considerations to gauge whether or not your own home can benefit from an upgrade.

Tile Roofing Advantages

Aesthetic Appeal and Versatility

Most often concrete and clay tiles often feature natural earth tones, a sand-cast or unglazed finish, and a classic curved shape, but their design isn’t limited to such Southwestern and Mediterranean hallmarks. In fact, their casting allows for many style options to suit almost any type of architecture.

Both concrete and clay tiles come in a huge variety of colors and may be offered in glazed or unglazed finishes. The most common shapes include flat, fluted, and interlocking tiles that can be married to an array of home designs. Some tiles are constructed to mimic the look of wood shakes, for use on Craftsman, rustic, or log homes, while others are designed to emulate traditional European structures. Tiles of natural slate are often used to roof Victorian, colonial, and Tudor architecture but also looks at home on sleek contemporary abodes.

Slate tiles impart the distinctive and desirable appearance of natural stone and carry many of the other advantages of clay and concrete tiles, including durability and longevity. Slate tiles are extremely popular in northern Europe and, in America, are often found on Victorian and Tudor style homes.

Durability

Clay, concrete, and slate roofs are impervious to fire and resist rot, insects, and other pests. Most tile roofing can withstand extremes of heat and cold, making it suitable for use in virtually any climate, and clay is particularly resistant to the corrosion of salt air, making it a great choice for homes situated in coastal regions near an ocean. Many types of roofing tiles also boast superior impact resistance, making this a good option for regions that experience hail or high winds.

Although most tile roofs are found in warm climates, they can be used in cold regions, too. When installing a clay or concrete tile roof in a cold climate, however, ask for products designed to handle freeze-thaw cycles.

The biggest threat to tile roofs can be people: The tiles typically are not designed to handle foot traffic and are vulnerable to being broken or chipped by careless treatment. Therefore, it is important to hire an experienced professional to handle any repairs or maintenance on or around a tile roof, including cleaning the gutters, maintaining chimneys, and painting the exterior.

Long Lifespan

A roof constructed of concrete, clay, or slate may be the last roof you will ever need. Clay or slate tiles may last more than 100 years, while most concrete tile comes with a 50-year warranty. Slate is one of the most durable and long-lasting roofing materials, with a lifespan of 100 to 150 years or more.

Savings in the Long Run

Over their long lifespan, however, concrete, clay, and slate tiles can offset their initial expense. Due to a high thermal mass, tiles do a better job of regulating the temperature of your home, thereby helping you cut down on heating and cooling bills. The durability and longevity of clay, concrete, and slate also mean that you save money by not replacing your roof multiple times over the decades. And, all of the materials used are environmentally friendly and can be easily recycled.

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