Roofs are an integral part of any house and the material you choose is just as important because it will dictate how long your roof will last. Clay tile is considered a durable roofing material, but is there is a catch? If you still haven’t consulted a roofing contractor for advice, but want to know more clay tiles, we present you the pros and cons of clay tile roofing.
It’s Long Lasting
One of the greatest things about clay tile roofing is that it will last you a long time. If you think that these tiles are not going to last long because they’re, well, tiles, and they have a reputation of being fragile. But this is something many people get confused in.
The tiles that are not long-lasting are ceramic tiles. These are clay tiles made for roofing. They can last up to a century and they’re used a lot in restoring older buildings because of this fact and that’s a pretty amazing thing if you think about it.
So, if you’re looking for a roofing material that’s going to stay put and protect your house from unwanted weather damage, then clay tiles are perfect for you because they’re strong, they’re highly durable and you will be surprised by the sheer strength this material possesses.
If you install and maintain a clay tile roof properly, then you won’t ever need to change your roof again in your lifetime. If that’s not a steal, then you need to try it out for yourself to be fully convinced.
It’s Fire Resistant
Clay is a fire-repellent and fire-resistant material. You might already know this, but if you didn’t, clay is a great insulator of heat and it doesn’t get hot, damaged, or even blistered by a fire. This is great if your house has a chimney and you’re scared of unexpected fires ruining your roof or if your house is an area where wildfires are a cause of concern.
You can choose clay tiles for your roof and can let go of all of the worries lingering in your mind regarding fire hazards and blazing embers because none of those things will be a major issue.
A Great Weather Resistant Material
When redoing your roofs, you need to keep the weather in mind and that’s where clay tiles will free your mind from all of the stress. Clay tiles are much weather-resistant.
They don’t get damaged or withered by the wind, they’re not affected by heavy downpours and the blazing sun and they stay pretty much intact for years before needing any repair.
Surprisingly Energy Efficient
Clay is energy efficient? Well, that might be news for some people, but you will be delighted to know that clay roof tiles can shave your electricity bill off to a great extent. How is that possible, you ask? Well, if you know anything about clay, then you would know that it’s an insulating material. It traps heat and it makes the house nice and warm in winter and keep the heat from entering the house in summer.
The advantage of this fact will be that you won’t need to crank up your furnace or HVAC system all the time, especially during the dead cold of winter because clay will do much of the work for you.
Low Maintenance Material
You’re going to love this fact about clay tiles and that has to do with the little-to-none maintenance that these tiles need. You don’t need to go ham with the maintenance when it comes to clay tiles because they’re pretty much the embodiment of “set it and forget it”.
You only need to clean it regularly and have it inspected by a professional once a year. Isn’t that a breeze?
Mold And Fungus Resistant
This is also something that a lot of homeowners are worried about. Clay tiles are mold resistant. They are great when it comes to water damage and they usually don’t allow any sort of inhibition of bacteria, mold, or fungus in the cracks of the tiles.
That means that roofs made out of this material will not rot. This, in turn, also means that these roofs will last you a long time. However, this is only possible if you clean your clay tile roof regularly and repair any damages in a timely manner so water doesn’t trap inside the tiles and allow the growth of mold and moss.
Cons Of Clay Tile Roofing
It’s Expensive
While clay tiles might be the most perfect material for you, judging by their amazing properties, there are certain downsides as well. The cost of clay tile roofs, for instance, is one major drawback of this material. Roofing materials are already quite expensive and you really can’t spend a fortune on replacing your roof, and to top everything off, clay tiles are an expensive investment. They cost triple the price of asphalt shingles.
But is clay tile a good investment? Yes, it is, but that doesn’t mean that this can allow every single person to go out and buy it because the price and installation aren’t justified at most times if you’re on a tight budget.
Clay Tiles Are Fragile
Tiles are not the same as rocks and slabs and that’s pretty much a fact. You can’t expect tiles to be as strong as other roofing materials because that’s the manufacturing consequence of tiles. Tiles are relatively thinner and even though clay tiles are heavy and thick that doesn’t mean that they cannot ever break.
So, after the install, you should be careful if you have to walk on the roof for inspection or anything else.
It’s Heavy
Clay is not a material that’s light and breezy to handle. It is an extremely heavy tile and this can be a good or bad thing, depending on your circumstances. Well, heavy materials are good because they ensure durability and longevity, but does heavy always mean better?
Well, that’s debatable. First of all, heavy tiles are hard to install because this is the roof you’re concerned with, and from a reasonable height, heavy materials are not always the best option, because the handling can become a nightmare.
Moreover, more weight of clay tiles means that the roof decking and the house structure should also be able to withstand their weight otherwise it can lead to various problems. This is why if you don’t want to invest in a heavy material, then clay tiles might not be the material of choice to go for. You should consider asphalt shingles as they are lighter in weight than clay tiles.
Installation Requires An Expert
Tile installation is a medium-level difficulty tasks, but when it comes to clay tile roofing, it difficult to install by anyone who is not experienced enough. A major reason for that is the weight of the clay tiles.
So, if you’re spending money on clay tiles, don’t try to save money by doing it yourself or hiring an amateur because improper installation can lead to all sorts of roof problems.
Conclusion
Material selection is so much easier when you know the ups and downs of each of them. This makes the decision easier and you don’t get confused. So, is clay tile on your radar or not? If you need more information on which material is right for you, discuss it with roofing companies Twinsburg.
