Tile is a popular material for residential roofs around the world. Clay tile roofs have been erected for thousands of years. More recently concrete and metal tile roofs have offered similar protection for homes. Concrete and clay tile roofs have proven to last centuries.

Tile roofing comes in a variety of styles, including Mediterranean, New England Colonial, and Spanish tile roofs. Many tile roof styles can suit all manner of different architectural styles. Tile roof components can be flat, round, they can resemble wood shake roofs, and there are even metal tile roofs.

Pros and Cons of Tile Roofing

Tile roofs offer a number of benefits. They resist insects and are great for allowing water to flow off of them. Weather has little effect on tile, and in colder climates, tile roofs have been less prone to ice dams.

There are also some disadvantages of tile roofs. Slate and clay tile roofs are brittle, and can easily crack if too much weight is applied to them. This weakness makes tile roof more difficult to repair, as the contractor has to be extra careful when up on the roof so as not to cause further damage. They also weigh a lot, so if you are considering switching from a lighter style of roof covering, make sure that your house can support the weight of a tile roof.

Tile Roofing Materials

There are a number of different materials that can be used to build a tile roof:

• Clay tile roofs have been around since Roman times, and have been known to last for hundreds of years.
• Metal roofing tiles are less expensive than clay tiles, though they are comparable in durability.
• Slate tiles are the most durable, resisting insects, decay and fire as well as offering the organic feel of stone.

Tile Roofs and the Elements

Roofs suffer the rigors of the elements more than any other part of a home’s exterior. Here are a few facts about how a tile roof holds up against the elements:

• Earthquakes: Concrete and clay tile roofs, when properly installed, exceed standards for seismic testing for earthquake prone areas, such as southern California.
• Fire: Clay tile roofs have proven safer than other roofing materials when it comes to fire, and have the highest possible fire rating.
• Hail: A tile roof can provide protection against hailstones of just larger than golf ball size.
• Wind and rain: A tile roof can withstand winds up to 100 mph with rain of 8 inches in an hour. Its overlapping design allows moving air to permeate a tile roof rather than blow it off.