Key design details & references for clay roofing tiles
Duralita & other clay roof tile alternative products
Sources of clay roofing tiles, clay roof tile manufacturers' list
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This article explains the different styles, profiles, and characteristics of clay tile roofing tiles. Our page top photo shows clay roofing tiles installed in Boca Raton, Florida. On this Florida roof the tiles provide cosmetic appearance and sun protection but on this roof, not waterproofing. This Boca Raton roof relies on a waterproof membrane below the clay tiles to keep water out of the building. This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.
Clay roof tiles are available in traditional
two-piece styles, one-piece profiles, and flat profiles
(Figure 2-18).
Clay tile designs are either overlapping or interlocking, with
protruding lips that lock the tiles together and form a
weather seal.
Many flat clay tiles interlock. Interlocking
designs are recommended for regions with heavy rain or
snow. Manufacturers provide special trim tiles to seal the
voids formed at ridges, rakes, and hips.
Pan and Cover Style Clay Roof Tiles
This traditional two-piece style, also
called barrel- or Mission-style clay tile, is installed in pairs
with the cover tile overlapping the pan tile. It provides
an attractive high-profile look but is labor-intensive
and expensive to install. Variations include Roman
and Greek profiles, which have flat, rather than curved, pan tiles. Tiles typically range from 8 to
12 inches in width and from 16 to 19 inches long.
Spanish S-tile Clay Roofing Tiles
Spanish S-tiles used on roofs are one-piece tiles provide the
high-profile look of traditional pan-and-cover tile
but with simpler installation. The most popular
S-tiles measure about 13 inches wide by 16 1/2 inches
long. Other common sizes are 8 3/4 x11 and
9 x14 inches.
Flat Shingle Style Clay Roof Tiles
Flat shingle style clay roofing tiles are laid in a double thickness,
like slate. These clay roof tile widths range from 6 to 8 inches, lengths
from 12 to 18 inches.
Interlocking clay roof tiles (photo at left) are either flat or low profile
and are laid in a single thickness with a 3-inch
overlap. They have interlocks on the sides with
channels or ribs, and butts may also lock into the tops
of the underlying shingles. Contours and ribs add
strength to the tiles. Widths typically range from 9 to
13 inches and lengths from 11 to 16 inches.
Additional photographs of types of clay roof tiles can be found at CLAY TILE ROOFING.
To make tiles, moist clay is extruded through a die or cast
in a mold and then fired in a kiln until the clay “vitrifies,”
fusing the particles together. Complete vitrification will
create a strong tile with very low water absorption, which
protects tile from freeze-thaw damage in cold climates or
damage from salt air in coastal areas.
Watch out: Where regular
freeze-thaw cycling is expected, roof tiles should comply
with ASTM C1167 Grade 1, which allows minimal water
absorption. Grade II tile provides moderate resistance to
frost action, and Grade III tile is porous and should not be
used in freeze-thaw areas.
When buying clay tile, look for at least a 50-year warranty
on both durability and fading. Costs vary widely,
depending on quality, style, and the shipping distance
required. In general, patterns using smaller tiles will cost
more for both materials and labor.
Clay Roofing Tile Color Choices
Clay roofing tiles come in a wide range of colors. Color-through
tile takes the natural color of the clay, ranging
from light tan to pink and red. Our clay roof tile photo (left) shows that a repair tile has been inserted and does not match the original roof in color or texture. This roof had other broken tiles (and leaks) apparently from foot traffic.
Other colors can be added
to the tile surface as a clay slurry before firing, but slurry coatings are only suitable for warm climates, as they
cannot withstand freeze-thaw cycles. Clay tile can also be
colored with ceramic glazes [see our photographs just above] to create a durable, glass-like
surface in just about any color.
In general, clay tiles do not
fade in the sun. [Above we discussed selection of clay roofing tiles for freezing climates].
Blended Clay Roof Tile Patterns
Some jobs require the installer to
mix two or three different colors in a random pattern. The
best way to achieve this is to premix bundles on the ground
with the correct proportion of each color, then send them
up to the roof for installation. Periodically inspect the roof
from the ground for hot spots or streaking.
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The Carson Dunlop home study course for home inspectors can be examined at the company's website at http://www.carsondunlop.com/Inspectors/hss.htm
Duralita: produces cement & cardboard corrugated and clay tile-like roofing products: Duralita is a combination of cement and cardboard - see www.duralita.com/ Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor escribanos a: sales@duralita.com -
El Salvador: +503 22.25.57.44 ext.31 USA +1 305.677.3597
"Tile Roofs in Snow Country: The Natural Choice For Aesthetics
and Durability
Proper planning and installation ensure a tile roof with elegance,
durability, and low maintenance for premier resort in Vail, Colorado", Mark Wennstedt, Source Products Group, 303 280-9595 - Web Search 07/12/2010 - Original Source http://pdfone.com/download/12_keyword-roof-shingles/tile-roofs-in-snow-country.pdf
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
Roof Tiling & Slating, a Practical Guide, Kevin Taylor, Crowood Press (2008), ISBN 978-1847970237, If you have never fixed a roof tile or slate before but have wondered how to go about repairing or replacing them, then this is the book for you. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.
This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided.
The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers.
