the tile roofing guide

THE TILE ROOFING GUIDE

TILE ROOFING FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW



PART ONETile Roofing Facts You Need to Know

Tile has a long history in roofing and is still highly valued today for its natural durability. The most obvious reason for picking tile is aesthetic value, as tile roofs have a natural appeal that can be hard to ignore. But tile is more than just decorative. If you are considering a tile roof for your home, here are some basic facts about this material.



• Clay Tile: Molded clay baked into a tile, but it also usually has glazing and other texture treatments applied to it. Although some tiles of this material only have color added to the surface (which easily fades), most modern clay tiles are still kiln-fired (which makes the color permanent). There are also accessory clay tiles that are used on intersections, gable ends, ridges, and hips.* There are various installation methods

for clay tile roofing: one piece, two piece, interlocking, and flat.

• Slate Tile: Made of natural slate rock, slate is one of the oldest roofing materials. Usually dark gray with a unique appearance of its own, it is very durable and holds up well against fire, high winds, and deterioration. This type of material is recommended for steep sloped roofs.* Slate can be brittle, so it requires roofers

trained specifically in handling it for proper installation.

• Concrete Tile: Made of water, sand, and portland cement, although the proportions vary depending on the manufacturer. These three ingredients are mixed under high pressure and then placed in molds. The produced concrete tile is then cured to reach a specific degree of strength and finished with a cementitious material. * Concrete tiles usually have lugs on the

underside so that they can anchor to batten strips. There are also interlocking ribs that prevent water from entering the roof membrane and keep the tiles from moving.

There are three distinct types of tile used in roofing today:



PART TWOThe Upside of Tile Roofing

Nothing complements a Spanish or Italian style home better than the classic red curve of clay, nor historic homes better than slate tiles. And concrete tiles have merits to equal both. The materials come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors - and they can protect your home for up to 100 years.


THE UPSIDE OF TILE ROOFING

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits each individual type of material can bring to your home.

CLAY TILEA great choice for homes with a Southwestern, Italian, or Spanish style, they also go well with homes with a modern, clean look. They are ideal for moderate to steep slope roofs. Clay tiles last a long time, with life spans usually greater than that of the material that supports them. They can also be found in lighter colors, which come with cool roof benefits.

Their main drawback, however, is their weight. Clay tiles are heavy and require reinforcement on the framing that supports them. They are also more expensive up front, as well as expensive to maintain as they are prone to chipping and breaking. But they are also the easiest to repair, because they are individually installed.

SLATE TILESlate tiles are made of shingle-like slivers of rock. A timeless choice for homes, nothing can quite replace the natural look they provide. Although slate is an expensive choice, they have a very long lifespan, good fire protection, and can be laid out in a variety of patterns. Slate also comes in a good selection of sizes and natural colors that make it easy to coordinate with your home’s exterior.

Like clay, slate tiles can be very heavy and require sufficient support. And while invulnerable to rot and insects, they are fragile to direct pressure and can crack when walked upon. It is best to leave installation, repair, and maintenance to professionals.


THE UPSIDE OF TILE ROOFING

CONCRETE TILEAnother equally good choice for durability and resource efficiency, concrete roofing has all the benefits of clay and slate — long lifespan, low maintenance, fire protection, and resistance to rot and insects. But while clay and slate can be expensive as well as heavy, concrete provides a less expensive choice that also eases up on the roofing support because it weighs less. Worried about the appearance? These tiles can mimic the appearance of wood shakes, only with improved durability and fire protection. And of course, they can be made to look like clay and slate tiles as well.



PARTTHREETile Roofing Maintenance

It is necessary to keep your tile roof properly and regularly maintained. You need to ensure prompt and professional care for any damage it may have sustained. Minor damage, after all, can cause more extensive damage and thus reduce the roof’s life span.


TILE ROOFING MAINTENANCE

ROOF INSPECTIONFirst things first, a tile roof should be left to trained roofers for inspection. But you can still keep an eye out for damage without actually getting on the roof. If you must use a ladder, make sure you have someone assist you and hold the ladder steady. Look for evidence of physical damage to the tiles, and make sure the gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves and other debris. Flashings are common areas for damage and should stay firmly in place – they should not be cracked or corroded.

If you see tiles that have slipped or fallen out, these are probably caused by rusted nails. Slate in the gutter or water stains on the tiles are often a sign of rusted nails. Nail failure can lead to leaks and further damage.

CLEANINGDepending on the age of your roof, seeing it streaked with mildew, dirt, or moss is a sign to any homeowner that it’s time for cleaning. However, improper roof cleaning can also lead to the roof damage you were preventing in the first place. You should not have your roof cleaned with just any substance, or use high pressure cleaning indiscriminately. Harmful chemicals and the improper use of high pressure cleaning can damage your roof as well as the surrounding property. Be sure to carefully look into a product first, or consult with roofing professionals, before you use any strategy for cleaning.


TILE ROOFING MAINTENANCE

Moss and algae, on the other hand, are not going to eat through or rot away at a tile roof as quickly as with other materials. But they can still cause some serious problems. Moss growth in the space between tiles can hinder proper water flow and instead allow it to seep into the sides and underneath the tiles. You can prevent this by applying moss killer annually or biannually. Zinc strips can also limit moss growth to an extent.

INSTALLATIONTiles should use non-ferrous nails to avoid rusting and nail failure. Tiles that are center nailed rather than head nailed provide a number of benefits. Center nails are cheaper and make tiles less likely to move in the wind. And in case they break, they can be easily replaced.

The installation of tile roofing can be a very complicated process, especially to the inexperienced. Contact your local roofing professional for the installation of your clay, slate, or concrete tile roof and to get the best results.



EARL W. JOHNSTON ROOFING5721 Dewey Street Hollywood, FL 33023

(954) 989-7794www.johnstonroofing.com

http://www.johnstonroofing.com

the tile roofing guide

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