ebuild Guide to Concrete Roofing Tile Specifications

Concrete roof tile was originally developed in Bavaria about 150 years ago, and is now used throughout Europe. Over the last few decades it has also become quite popular in the U.S., particularly in the Southeast, the Southwest, and California. Tile is available in a wide variety of shapes, textures, and colors to suit most any architectural style. The durable tiles carry a Class A fire rating, resist damage from hail, and reduce heat transfer through the roof system. Though considerably more expensive than asphalt shingles, concrete roof tile has a life span of at least 50 years, which reduces its lifecycle cost.

Concrete roof tile is made of Portland cement, sand and water, with various materials added for color. Each tile includes an arrangement of perimeter ridges that allows it to interlock with surrounding tiles. Like clay roof tiles, concrete tile surfaces can be textured or smooth, the bottom edges can be uniform or ragged, and various colors of tiles can be mixed together on a single roof.

Entegra. With both flat and curved concrete tiles, the company offers the classic Mediterranean look as well as slate, shake, and smooth shingle.

The broad expanses of a roof are covered with field tiles. Specialty tiles are required at the ridge, eaves, rake, and various other locations, and must be accounted for when estimating the project. Tiles are heavy, 9 to 12 pounds per square foot, so it's important to make sure the roof structure can handle the weight. Lightweight tiles are available but they're intended primarily for retrofit use on roofs that were not originally designed for concrete tiles.

Before choosing concrete roof tile, check to see if local codes restrict certain types of products or require special methods of installation. This is especially important in coastal areas exposed to hurricanes and where tornadoes are common. Metal wind clips can be installed to hold each tile down in extreme conditions; another high-wind measure is to use screws rather than nails to secure tiles to the roof. Concrete tile roofing calls for specialized installation skills, and contractors with those skills may be difficult to find in some locations.

Key Specifications

Length--In general, longer tiles reduce material and installation costs. Minor differences in length, however, are primarily the result in different manufacturing preferences.

Width--The width of a tile has an impact on the overall look of the installation. Wider tiles can cover a given area more quickly.

Profile--This specification refers to the shape of a tile, a feature that can alter the overall appearance of the roof and affect installation methods. Flat slab tiles are simple and appear much like shingles. Other profiles incorporate combinations of straight or tapered shapes. Some, such as pan-and-cover profiles, require two different shapes of field tile: the pan sits flat on the roof while the cover rests on top of the pan.

Texture--The surface of a concrete tile can be given a wide variety of textures during manufacture in order to achieve various visual effects.

Generic color--This is a set of common color names that represents the spectrum of colors and color names designated by the manufacturers. Think of it as a general description of a color range. Note that colors within a given shipment may vary somewhat between palettes. Depending on the product, pigment is either added to the concrete mix before it is extruded (called the color-through method) or applied to the surface of the tile after extrusion (called the slurry method).

Finish--Some tiles are surface-coated with an acrylic sealer to prevent efflorescence. This white, powdery substance may appear on new tiles when soluble salts in the concrete rise to the surface. Efflorescence is a temporary phenomenon but sealing the tile reduces or eliminates its unsightly appearance. Additionally, tiles may have a glossy surface, which tends to emphasize color, or a more muted matte surface.

Availability--Concrete roofing tiles are widely available, but may not be accepted by code in every location. This specification refers to states where tiles are generally accepted. However, always check local codes to ensure product suitability for your location.

MonierLifetile. The company offers several standard-weight concrete tiles and lightweight tiles that look like slate and wood shake. Madera Mountainwood, shown, creates a cottage look with the most realistic shake-like product the company offers.

The cost of any roofing product can vary considerably from region to region due to the limited availability of some products. When considering costs, particularly with highly-durable products such as concrete tiles, consider the life cycle cost as well as initial cost of roofing. A product with relatively high initial cost may be cost-effective in the long run if it lasts much longer than a less expensive product.

Additional Information