Clay roof tiles have been traced to first being used in China as far back as 10,000 years B.C. and then eventually spreading to the Middle East. These type of roofs have been known to be one of the most ornamental forms of roofs, offering an array of decorative possibilities, a variety in shapes, colors, patterns, and textures. They were molded by hand until about 1870. It was there after that tile making was introduced to manufactureers where clay roof tiles are made by placing clay in molds through a kiln for firing , which are now made in mass production. The two basic tile types are barrel tiles and flat tiles. Barrel tiles, and Spanish tiles; may also encompass designs where two flat tile pieces are overlapped by a curved tile. Flat tiles are most commonly referred to as shingle, or French style. Both barrel and flat tiles can overlap or interlock when installed, depending on design. Interlocking tiles have a lip on one tile that hooks over an edge on an adjacent tile. Flat overlapping tiles are applied with staggered joints in overlapping courses similar to a slate or shingle roof. With barrel tiles, the cap tiles overlap the pan tiles on both sides. S-tiles, also known as Spanish tile, combine the pan and cap into a single tile. Specialty tiles may be required for ridge caps, bird stops, roof hips, rakes, and dormers. Some roof shapes, such as turrets, require tiles in graduated sizes.
Clay tile is also one of the most durable materials available. It doesn’t burn, rot, deteriorate from salt(from the ocean), or high heat temperatures (as found in the desert). Known for its durability to last well over fifty years and depending on manufacturer, several hundreds of years. One of the benefits of working with a roofing company, as ourselves, is that we have been known for matching historical tile. We have a laarge network range allowing us to have acccess to a large range of different clay tiles.
A tile roof offers a unique appearance. One of the best rewards of a tile roof is that testing has proven that a properly installed roof can reduce heat to the attic by 50% - 70% compared to the typical asphalt shingle roof.
Many question the difference between clay and concrete roof tiles. A few of the differences are as follows:
•Concrete tiles are made by a mixture of water, sand and cement, which are then molded under high pressure and heat. It is colored by using a paint like material designed for concrete.
•Clay tiles are typically made from local sourced clay molded into a tile shape and then fired in an oven or kiln.
•Concrete tile have a higher rate of water aabsorption, by approximately 13% compared to clay tiles absorption rate being at around a 6%.
•Clay tile roofs are known to outlive concrete tiles. Where most concrete tiles last 30 to 50 years. Most clay tile roofs have the ability to last well over 100 years.
•One of the only benefits that concrete roofs have over a clay roof is the cost. You will pay more for a clay roof tile than a concrete tile roof.
•There are several manufacturers that fabricate concrete or clay roof tiles. Hence the reason for finding tiles of different weight factors.
Unlike other roof coverings, clay roof tiles are made by placing clay in molds through a kiln for firing. They are available in array of colors, sizes, and styles.