Do you want the look of a tile roof without the exorbitant price tag? Consider concrete roofing tiles, which are attractive, long-lasting, and cost-effective. A mixture of cement, sand, and water was initially used to make concrete roof tiles in Bavaria in the mid-nineteenth century. Many of the early concrete roof tiles are still in use today, demonstrating their endurance. To approximate the appearance of clay, colored pigments were applied to concrete roofing tiles in the early 1900s. While early concrete tiles were created by hand or using semi-automated equipment, technological advancements over the last century have automated production, making concrete tile more cost-effective than alternative roofing materials over the long term.
Concrete roof tiles are designed to survive the lifespan of a home, with a limited lifetime, non-prorated, transferable warranty. Consider the limited warranties that come with most composition shingles, as well as how shorter-lasting goods tend to clog up valuable landfill space. Concrete tiles have a Class A fire rating and are resistant to hail and high winds, with a minimum hail resistance grade of Class 3. Concrete tiles can withstand gusts of over 125 miles per hour, which would rip most other roofing materials to shreds. Concrete tile roofing systems have also been found to exceed current seismic load limits for building materials when installed according to building code standards.
Concrete tiles have become more affordable as the cost of petroleum-based materials such as asphalt shingles has risen. Concrete roof tiles are a reasonable and cost-effective alternative to ugly weather-beaten asphalt shingles and their replacement expenses, especially when short 16-03 considering their life cycle cost. In Europe, concrete tile roofs have a 100-year lifespan.
Concrete tile comes in a wide variety of styles and colors. Concrete tiles aren’t just for the Sunbelt; they can also be utilized in cold locations if certain installation procedures are taken. Traditional clay tiles, wood shake, slate, and stone can all be replicated with modern concrete tile designs. Concrete tile surfaces, like clay, can be rough or smooth, tile edges can be uniform or ragged, and architects can choose tiles that are all the same color, blended hues, or mixtures of two or more tones in a uniform or random pattern. Portland cement is typically grey, but it is also available in white. Pigments can be used with white or grey cement to create almost any hue, including dazzling whites, pastels, and deep rich tones.
In some parts of the country, lightweight concrete tiles are also available for re-roofing applications where the roof structure is insufficient to sustain conventional weight concrete tiles. A regular visual check of a concrete roof can assist prevent the collection of leaf detritus in the valleys or the growth of moss, which can create a damming effect when it rains. Moss and algae do not affect concrete tiles, but they may be removed with a professional power washer regularly, and biocides or zinc strips can be used to slow the growth of these organisms. A visual assessment of the roof should be done after periods of heavy winds, earthquakes, or extensive hail to ensure that there are no cracks or broken tiles. Therefore concrete roofing is very important for the safety of your home.