Clay and cement tiles are among the best classic roofing materials, solutions that have been used for centuries all over the world and that enjoy great popularity in our days as well. The material is quite heavy (you need to check whether your building is able to support the extra weight added by the tiles before you choose your tiles) and it is not the cheapest solution, either, but the wide range of benefits that it offers makes roof tiles an excellent solution for any sloping roof and for any climate region. According to roofing experts, like those found at roofing companies in Houston, here are some of the features that make tile roofs so great.
Aesthetic Appeal
If you are looking for an elegant roofing material, tiles are your best option. The material comes in many colors and styles, from the classic terracotta color to elegant shades of driftwood grey and from moss green to pale blue, the latest product ranges being available even in shiny black, cream and shades of brown as well.
Prolonged Durability and Enhanced Resistance to the Elements
Roof tiles are among the most durable materials available, many tile products being warranted for an extraordinary 100 years.
Tiles make an incredibly strong solution for challenging environments – the material is resistant to the penetration of water, to fire, to high winds as well as to pest attacks, the only weather-related issue that can harm tile roofs being very strong, direct impact, such as very large hail or very large tree branches that fall onto the roof.
Superior Energy-Efficiency and Ventilation
The materials that clay and cement tiles are made from are excellent heat insulators, making sure that the heat of the sun is kept outside in summer and the warm air that you heated in your rooms in winter is also kept inside. Roofing tiles being such great insulators, they prevent not only the energy exchange between the building interior and the exterior environment, thus reducing the amount of energy needed for cooling and heating the building, but they also prevent the formation of ice dams.
Roof tiles also allow for the efficient circulation of air under the roof and between the tiles – a feature that prevents the appearance of condensation in the attic and the water damage that condensation can cause in the wooden support structure of the roof.
Low Maintenance Solutions
Tile roofs need to be cleaned and inspected every six months, like all other roof types, but the durability and the resistance of the material ensures that the faults that will be detected during the inspections will not be more complicated than a couple of chipped edges or a tile cracked by very severe impact.
Sustainability
Roofing tiles are made from environment-friendly materials that are either recyclable or reusable for new construction. When tile roofs are removed, the tiles are usually taken off one by one, taking care not to damage intact tiles. The tiles that get damaged are recyclable through manufacturing, but even if they are dumped, they are made from non-toxic, mineral-based materials that do not harm our natural environment.