A tile roof is one of the most beautiful options on the market today, because they cannot only last a lifetime, but can also give your home a unique kind of curb appeal. It’s also one of the most expensive roofing options available and can even put a strain on the structure of a lot of older homes.
Most roofs were traditionally made from slate, fired clay, or some kind of terracotta product. But today, most roofing tiles are made from molded, tinted concrete. A tile roof is a great choice for areas that experience a great deal of hot weather or get exposed to salty air. That’s why you’ll often see them in the Southwest, coastal Florida, and California.
Tile roofs can be great in areas that experience infrequent bouts of rainfall that dump a great deal in a short amount of time, because many of them are great for shedding rainfall from cloudbursts. But, if you’re thinking about adding a tile roof to your home, you should know that the materials used are very heavy and can even break under certain conditions. That’s why the framing need to be sturdy enough to support the extra weight.
Advantages of a Tile Roof
Some of the advantages of rooftop tile can include the following:
- Incredible Curb Appeal — If you’re looking for exceptional quality and style, this is a great option. It can give your home that beautiful Mediterranean aesthetic. It’s also available in a variety of styles and colors. Tile roofs can be made from ceramic, terracotta, slate, clay, and concrete. You can even customize your roof to suit your specific style and preferences.
- Incredible Longevity — With proper cleanup and maintenance, a tile roof will be able to last a lifetime. It’s incredibly durable and can withstand some of the harshest conditions (including rot, UV rays, fires, and insect infestations). Maintenance is also very easy, which can be done by you or a roofing professional.
- Increases Your Home’s Value — Installing rooftop tiles will improve your home’s resale price, which can make it one of the best home investments. Because a tile roof will last your entire life, you’ll never have to replace your roof.
- Reduced Energy Costs — The gap under the tiles can help to block the sun’s heat from getting into your attic, which will reduce your dependence on air conditioning and reduce your cooling costs by a significant amount.
- Environmentally-Friendly — A tile roof is made from clay or concrete, which are earth minerals. So, they come from a sustainable resource. Once they’re removed, they can be crushed and recycled so they can be used for making a base for roads.
Be sure to speak to a roofing professional for more information about the benefits of installing a tile roof.
Disadvantages of a Tile Roof
While tile roofs have their advantages, they do have their drawbacks. Some of them include:
- Expensive Roofing Option — A tile roof is one of the most expensive options on the market, which will make it out-of-reach for many homeowners. But, you can sometimes get certain tax benefits by installing rooftop tiles. There are still cheaper options out there for your home, which will give you the same benefits.
- Heavier Than Other Roofing Options — Rooftop tiles are made from slate, ceramic, terracotta, clay, or concrete (which is much heavier than asphalt shingles, metal, or wood). This can put a great deal of strain on your home’s structure, and some of them may not even be equipped for a tile roof.
- Proper Installation is Critical — For a tile roof to be installed correctly, special flashing needs to be installed. This is the most common reason why many tile roofs don’t last as long as they’re expected. You need to find a roofer that has been certified by the Tile Roofing Institute, and you need to make sure they’re installing the flashing needed for proper tile installation.
As you find the right material for your roof replacement, you need to look at the positives and negatives of each one. Tile roofs are popular because of their many benefits, but there are some other things that you must take into careful consideration. While you need to make the final choice, a professional can help you weigh in the pros and cons of each option.
If you’re looking for one of the best roofers in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with B. Ramirez Roofing.