Tile roofing has been used to protect homes for centuries. Other kinds of roofs have gained prominence over time in the United States, especially the asphalt tiles that are installed on almost 80 percent of roofs in this country. But there are several advantages to tile roofs that simply can’t be matched by other roofing materials.
Originally, tile roofs were made from clay, terra cotta, or slate. Now, however, most tile roofs are made from molded concrete, which is a lighter and more cost-effective material. With its unique look and design, there are a number of reasons why you should think about installing a tile roof. Let’s look at a few of them.
DURABILITY
It is true that installing tile roofs is much more expensive than installing other types of roofs, often costing at least twice as much. But while the initial investment is steeper, the durability of tile roofing means that you’ll end up spending less over the lifespan of your roof.
Most asphalt shingle roofs are rated to last between 15 – 30 years. Tile roofs, on the other hand, can last well beyond 100 years. This means that while the cost of your tile roof is high, you’ll end up paying more to replace a shingle roof over and over, while your tile roof continues to stand the test of time.
Tile roofs are inherently fire-resistant, and they withstand weather exceptionally well, including wind and hail. And unlike asphalt or wooden roofs, they’re insect- and fungus-proof, which means that they’ll never rot. If a tile roof is installed correctly, it’s the last roof you’ll ever have to buy.
ROOF MAINTENANCE
Tile roofing rarely requires any maintenance on your part. While you should still schedule an annual roof inspection to ensure there’s no underlying damage, your roof should remain waterproof for its entire lifespan. Of course, occasionally a tile can become cracked, but when that happens, a roofing contractor should be able to repair the damaged tiles relatively easily.
VISUAL APPEAL
The visual appeal of a tile roof is immediately apparent. Long associated with the American Southwest, tile roofing comes in a stunning variety of colors, textures, and styles. You can choose a traditional terra cotta roof in the familiar Spanish tile pattern or pick from a range of grays and blues to incorporate in Mediterranean-style Double Roman tiles. Your roof becomes your canvas.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Because the individual tiles in a tile roof are so thick, they are exceptionally good at regulating temperatures within your home. These tiles reflect rather than absorb most of the sunlight that hits them, reducing the amount of heat transfer by up to 70 percent when compared to asphalt shingles.
Tile roofs are installed by overlapping the next course of tiles over the previous course, and this layering creates natural air ventilation where these tiles overlap. This ventilation creates a barrier that prevents heat transfer, which not only keeps you cool in the summer but also helps to prevent warm air from escaping your home during the winter. As a result, your energy bills can be up to 20 percent lower when you install a tile roof.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ROOFING
Unlike asphalt shingle roofs, which use non-biodegradable and non-recyclable material, tile roofs are made entirely from earth materials, like clay and concrete. These materials don’t use harsh chemicals or other additives that can harm the environment.
Better still, the long lifespan of a tile roof means that you won’t be creating a huge amount of waste installing a new asphalt roof every 15 years. And if you do need to replace any part of your tile roof, the material you remove doesn’t go into a landfill. Instead, roof tiles are entirely recyclable, going back into the manufacturing process to make new tiles, as well as other manufactured goods.
Roofers Near Me in Houston, TX?
The roofing contractors at Precision Roof Crafters have been serving Houston and the surrounding areas for nearly 25 years. Contact us to help you with all of your roofing needs.