April
26
Time to Replace Your Roof? Tile Roofing Could Be a Good Solution!
If it’s become clear that your current roofing material is standing on its last legs, then it’s wise to go ahead and make plans for a roof replacement before any more problematic issues begin to emerge. But which roofing material to choose for your new residential roof installation? Sure, you could go with shingles, but perhaps you’re ready for something a little more distinctive, and also decidedly more long-lasting.
Did you know? A tile roofing installation can be made to complement just about any architectural style. And with a nice variety of color shades to choose from, it’s easy to coordinate your roof with the rest of your home exterior, too. And here’s another bonus, too. Compared to traditional asphalt shingle roofing, houses with a tile roof tend to sell faster too, should you ever decide to put your home on the market.
Some Specific Pros and Cons of Tile Roofing
There are many things to like about roofing tiles. Tile roofing is one of the most popular styles of roofing in the world – and for a good reason. Tile has a distinctive look, lasts much longer than shingles, and is also built to withstand some pretty extreme weather conditions, including hurricane-force winds. Tile roofs allow for better air permeability, thus helping to reduce the impacts of wind stress. The Tile Roofing Institute has demonstrated that tile roofs can maintain their integrity in wind speeds exceeding 125 mph! That being said, let’s take a closer look at some of tile’s benefits for roofing:
PROS of Tile Roofing
• Tile is incredibly weather-resistant
Both clay tiles and concrete tiles are known for durability, as well as for their ability to withstand high winds, hail impacts, and even fire threats. This makes tile roofing a particularly wise choice if you live in an area that receives more than its fair share of severe storms.
• Tile can serve to reduce HVAC costs
Thanks to the natural gap included underneath the tiles, less infrared heat from the sun transfer to your attic. This helps to keep your roof and attic cooler, thus lowering your cooling costs during the warmer months.
• Tile roofs require very little maintenance
Because of how durable and resistant tiles are, you’ll rarely need to do much of anything in terms of ongoing maintenance.
• The longevity of tile
A brand-new tile roof will last you a LONG time – likely a lifetime, in fact. Tile roofs can easily last you 50 years, or even longer.
• No pest threats
Pests can be potential threats to many other types of roofing material, but tile roofs are essentially impervious to any insect damage.
• Environmentally friendly choice
Tiles come in several options, but the most common are natural clay and concrete. Both of these types of clay are produced with natural earth minerals. And if these tiles are ever removed, they can be crushed and recycled for other usage purposes.
• Lots of color options
Clay tiles and concrete tiles are both available in many different styles and colors, meaning that it’s pretty easy for you to find something which will perfectly complement your home’s design and features.
Now that we’ve considered some of the positives (and there are more than we’ve listed here!), let’s turn to consider some of the potential drawbacks of tile. The list of cons certainly isn’t as long, but it’s good to bear all things in mind when choosing the perfect material for your roof replacement:
CONS of Tile Roofing
• Tile is heavy
Because tile is heavier than many roofing materials, it’s important to make sure you have the proper structural reinforcements for supporting a tile roof. This is one reason why you’ll want to hire an experienced roofer like Skywalker Roofing, who can make sure your roof infrastructure is truly ready for tile.
• Tile isn’t cheap
Clay or concrete roof tiles can cost twice as much as asphalt shingles. But while that will cost you more up front, remember that what you’re really paying for is greater durability, longevity, and increased curb appeal. Over the long-term, you’ll actually save money in maintenance costs, and you likely won’t need to replace your roof during the rest of your lifetime, either.
• Tile can be brittle
While tile is indeed durable and weather-resistant, it can still crack or break as a result of direct impact damage. But there’s a silver lining here, too. Individual tiles aren’t difficult to replace in the hands of a trained professional.
• Tile can eventually get dirty
If you live in a particularly humid climate, algae growth can occur on tile, thus creating some darker streaks. This poses no threat to the tile’s integrity, but it can make your roof look a little dingy. Even so, tile is fairly easy to clean with a soft wash, and tile can also be treated with an algae prevention solution to help keep your tile roof looking cleaner, longer.
• Tile must be installed correctly
Any roof needs to be installed correctly, regardless of roofing materials. But to this point, a tile roof installation really isn’t something you’d want to take on as a DIY project. In order for a tile roof to be correctly installed, specialty flashings designed for tiles roofs must be properly installed, as well. Flashing installation errors are a primary cause of premature tile roof failure. If you’re interested in getting a tile roof, it’s really best to partner with a trained, local tile roofing professional like Skywalker Roofing.
For Your Tile Roofing Needs in North Carolina & Virginia, Trust the Pros at Skywalker!
At Skywalker Roofing, we’re a local roofing company that’s well-versed in the installation of all popular roofing materials, including tile, slate, metal, wood shakes, shingles, synthetic & composite roofing, commercial flat roofing, and more. And in addition to performing new tile roof installations, we can help you with tile roof restoration and repair, too. For a tile roof restoration, we’ll remove your existing tiles, apply a watertight underlayment to your roof decking, and repair/replace the metal flashing. We’ll then reinstall your original tiles, and also replace any damaged pieces. Our tile roof restoration services carry a 15-year workmanship warranty against any leak development.
Simply put, Skywalker is the local roofing contractor you can trust to take care of you the right way. Skywalker is proud to serve the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman, and southern Virginia. Reach out to schedule your FREE home or business consultation today by calling +1 (336) 627-5596. Experience the Skywalker difference!
