Extremely Durable Up to 50-100 Year Roof Lifetime
Lower Lifetime Roofing Costs.
Modern Concrete Tiles That Look Great.
Low Maintenance Install & Enjoy.
Concrete tile roofs have been used for thousands of years and continues to be one of the longest lasting, most durable roofing materials on the market.
Concrete tiles have been installed around the world for thousands of years, providing a long track record of performance when compared to other roofing materials such as asphalt shingles. They are resistant to damage from large hail, high winds and fire. Most tile manufacturers offer warranties from 50 years to the lifetime of the structure. An experienced local roofing contractor can tell you that concrete tile roofing has the lowest long-term cost of any residential roofing material. Because roof tiles are installed individually, replacing a broken tile is simple. While all roofs require some maintenance, concrete tile roofing systems require minimal upkeep under normal conditions. Maintenance is generally restricted to gutters, flashings, and venting.
The main purpose of most roofing materials is to protect the structure underneath from water penetration, but that’s not a concrete tile roof’s primary job. Even though cement tiles are molded with overlapping and interlocking joints, concrete tile roofs are not completely waterproof. Wind-blown rain can easily infiltrate a concrete tile. The concrete tile’s function is to shield the real moisture barrier, which is the roof underlayment layer beneath, from the forces that promote its deterioration temperature extremes, ultraviolet from sunlight, wind and water.
Concrete Roof Tile Installation
Before the tile goes on, a typical roof must first be covered with at least one layer of No. 30 roofing felt overlap horizontally and wood batten strips spaced according to the size of the tiles. The battens provide a holding ledge for the lungs molded into the underside of the tile. Those, along with nail fasteners, keep the tile in place. Because the roof underlayment is the real moisture barrier on a tile roof, quality materials and proper installation of that component are critical. However, even with the best of materials the roof underlayment’s life expectancy is projected to be shorter than of the overlaying tiles.
Replacement of the roof underlayment entails the removal of all the roof tiles, reapplication of the underlayment material, and reinstallation of the tiles, so it is rarely done until there is an obvious problem. The best roof underlayment to go with is usually a synthetic brand.
The Weight
One of the first problems that come with concrete roof tiles is their sheer weight. When compared to other roofing materials like asphalt, clay, composite, and metal, concrete roofing tiles are significantly heavier. Concrete tiles can weigh anywhere from 820 to 1,100 pounds per sq (100 square feet). That’s a lot of weight on top of your home! This means that any house with concrete tile roofing needs to have enough structural support to be able to handle it. Otherwise, the sheer weight of the concrete roofing tiles can be too much for the home to handle and cause structural integrity issues. In fact, in some cases, a building may not be allowed to use concrete roofing tiles due to the sheer weight alone. A good local concrete tile roofing contractor will be able to best advise you as to whether or not a heavy concrete roof is the right choice for your property.
The Level Of Maintenance
Concrete roof tiles do require a certain level of maintenance. While they offer Class A fire ratings, they can still take a beating from impacts, particularly when it comes to hail or fallen branches. As a result, some of the individual concrete tiles may need replacing, which can be challenging to do due to color differences caused by tile fading and also tile weight issues.
Because concrete is a porous material, it absorbs water quickly, which can lead to the formation of things like mold and mildew, which are harmful to the roof and also physically unattractive.
When it comes to maintaining a concrete roofing tile, a yearly roof inspection should suffice. The biggest threats to concrete tiles are moss and leaf build up. Power washing, zinc strips, and biocides can be used to fix the problem.
The History Of Concrete Roof Tiles
Concrete roofing tiles are one of the world’s most trusted roofing materials, dating back as early as 10,000 B.C. It has graced the roofs of homes, houses of worship, universities and commercial structures of the past to the present. The concrete roofing tiles are made from a natural mixture of cement, sand water and oxide, concrete roof tiles provide countless design possibilities as they are available in a variety of sizes, profiles, and colors. Thus, making it easier for consumers to select the perfect tile to match any architectural design.
Is Concrete A Good Roofing Material?
When installed correctly and professionally, concrete roof tiles can withstand the harshest of weather conditions. Due to the installation method and the inherent properties of concrete, concrete tile roofs have an inherent thermal insulating property that can help reduce energy costs by allowing air to circulate under and through the tile, reducing the heat transfer into the attic which will then directly lead to lower heating and cooling costs. Although concrete tiles lack the curb appeal of a natural slate tile, the concrete tiles can be customized to mimic the look of clay, wood shake, or natural slate. Also, if any tiles happen to chip or break, a replacement tile can be easily molded into its place due to the fact that the concrete tiles are installed individually instead of in sheets or overlapped. In an effort to further enhance the energy efficiency, concrete roof tiles are also available in highly reflective colors that meet various roof cooling requirements that will also lead to lower heating & cooling costs.
Main Advantages
One of the biggest benefits of concrete tiles is that it is incredibly strong. Concrete tiles can withstand intense wind and rainstorms that would tear up other types of roofing materials. They are also not nearly as susceptible to wind uplift, unlike many other types of roofing materials. As touched on above, the dense concrete tiles can also help regulate the temperature of your home and reduce your energy costs. Concrete tile roofs are also fire resistant and environmentally friendly as they are produced without the worry of depleting any natural resources, are fully recyclable and do not contain any chemical preservatives.
Some concrete roof tile manufacturers have found innovative and affordable ways to give consumers the look and feel they want for a fraction of the price by customizing their concrete tiles to look more like slate, clay, wood shake. This allows the home to keep its curb appeal while maintaining the physical features of concrete tiles.
Disadvantages
Like natural slate roofing, concrete tiles are heavy, which means if you need a new roof, you may need to have your building structurally inspected prior to installation. However, concrete tiles are lighter in weight and less costly to install than natural slate tiles. In addition, under certain environmental circumstances, concrete roofing tiles can become algae prone. Although this does not affect the tile’s durability or energy efficiency qualities in any way, aesthetically, a homeowner may need to hire a professional to pressure wash the roof tiles periodically.
Do Concrete Roof Tiles Absorb Water?
There are many roofing manufacturers that sell roof sealants promising benefits for sealing a roof’s tiles and selling the idea that applying a sealant on concrete tile roofs is an absolute must. However, before sealants were invented, concrete roofs were used effectively for centuries. So why use sealants on concrete roof tiles now? Do they absorb water? It is because some sealant manufacturers and enthusiastic retailers claim that concrete roofing tiles can become porous, absorb water, and then eventually leak, but that is not correct. The truth is that this just doesn’t happen with modern concrete roof tiles. While it is true that decades-old concrete roofing tiles have now become porous, even that will keep the rainwater out if they are not cracked, damaged, and properly installed.
A good local roofing contractor knows that if concrete roofing tiles are laid properly on a sloped surface, they will not leak or absorb water. This is even true of properly installed porous roofing material such as clay roofing tiles. Clay tile roofing contractors know, as long as the water does not pool on the roof and they aren’t damaged in some way, then they will not leak.
Though concrete roof tiles are considered porous, people should not refrain from considering it as an option for reroofing a home, or as a new roofing material. Older concrete roof tiles can be refurbished, painted and sealant applied, to fill-in hairline cracks and to make a roof look like new again, however, the cost to maintain older concrete roofing tiles can be pricey. In fact, it may be a similar price cost to re-roof a home with modern Boral concrete roof tiles instead of refurbishing older concrete tiles.
Weathering Effects
Concrete roof tiles normally come into contact with the worst conditions that nature can offer. The different weathering that would destroy most other roof coverings would not seriously affect the protective properties of concrete roofing tiles. Over time, the surface that is on any product left unattended will show signs of aging, and concrete roof tiles are no exception.
Do Concrete Roof Tiles Need Sealing?
No, concrete tiles do not need to be re-sealed, the process is entirely optional. Roof sealants tend to wear off after a few years, all the rainwater flowing down the pitched roof, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a lick of paint or sealant won’t last long here. Sealing is only temporary. If there is underlying damage to your roof, the best thing to do is to seek the advice of a professional local roofing contractor.
Infinite Roofing & Construction
25 Walker Way, Ste 2A
Colonie, NY 12205
(office) 518-444-ROOF
(mobile) 518-221-1003
(email) info@infiniteroofingny.com
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