When looking to install a new roof, one of the options that often come up in discussion is that of a tile roof. However it’s not as simple as just choosing that one option. In the world of tile, there are many roofing options that have their plusses and minuses.
Basic types of Tile
There are a number of styles of tile available when considering a tile roof and all have some similar advantages. The first type of tile that one often suns across is the standard clay tile, often seen on southwestern, Spanish mission or Italian styled homes. Newer homes not in these styles are also adapting clay tile for its clean look. Also commonly found is slate, which are actually thin pieces of rock. Roofs made from slate tile have a natural, refined look and can be made with interesting patterns depending on the coloring of the slate tiles. The third major option in tile roofing materials is concrete tiles. This third option, however, is quite broad because concrete roofing tiles can be made to look like many other kinds of tiles.
What Advantages Do Tile Roofs Offer?
As mentioned above perhaps the greatest advantage tile roofs offer is fire resistance. While a tile roof may not be actually fire proof as it is still wood directly underneath the tile, a tile roof will provide greatly increased fire resistance. Tile roofing material is generally highly resistant to rot, mold, mildew, and insects. They require little in the form of maintenance and can last a very long time, in some cases longer than the roofing underneath. Color varieties are wide as are styles.
Why Might Tile Roofs Need To Be Replaced Or Repaired?
A tile roof, while quite strong to most of nature’s elements, suffers 3 major drawbacks. The first is the cost. Choosing tile as the roofing material for one’s new roof will require a greater outlay of cash then most other roofing materials available. This is offset by its longevity and benefits, but when considering purchasing a roof made from tile, one needs to realize that down the road any repairs to be made will also cost more than other materials. The second major disadvantage is the weight of tile. Make no mistake about it, tile is heavy. Installing tile on an existing roof will almost always require expensive additional support being installed as well. This results in tile being used primarily in new construction as most homes are not built to support the weight of tile. The third drawback is that tile is somewhat fragile and can often be broken if a heavy branch falls on it or if a person inexperienced with tile roofs walks on them. This can lead to increased cost in basic house maintenance, including the cleaning out of gutters. While these reasons for tile roofs to be repaired can be bothersome, in truth a roof made from tile can make a great investment for a home. Long lasting, highly fire resistant and resistant to many of nature’s elements, a tile roof can be the crown to many a home.
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