Protect Homes from Fire Damage with Tile RoofingConcrete Roof Tile Offers Protection and Piece of Mind

IRVINE, CA - March 2007 - With the state of California's recent announcement of the official opening of fire season and California fire officials' predictions that it will be exceptionally long this year, homeowners are taking steps to reduce the risk of damage caused by wildfires. Dry conditions and high heat instigated the season's first blazes in early March, months earlier than usual, while little rain is forecasted and temperatures are expected to rise in the coming months. Some new homes feature fire buffer zones, fire-resistant landscaping and fire-resistant siding and roofing, but many homes do not offer this level of protection from wildfire destruction.

Concrete Roof Tile Offers Protection and Piece of Mind

The roof is the most vulnerable part of any home during a wildfire, so it's important to choose a noncombustible material like concrete tile to protect the structure. The complete concrete roof assembly maintains a Class A rating throughout its life without periodic treatment. In addition to providing safety and protection, buildings with Class A rated tile systems are eligible for lower fire insurance rates.

"Re-roofing a home with concrete tile is one simple step that homeowners can take to reduce the risk of damage from wildfires," said Bob Pacelli, senior channel manager for MonierLifetile. "Not only does tile offer unsurpassed durability, it provides the homeowner with piece of mind that their home, belongings and loved ones are protected."

Roof tile, which has withstood the world's most extreme weather and climates for thousands of years, also offers protection for homeowners in areas prone to tornadoes, hurricanes or extreme winds. The design and construction of a concrete roofing system allows high air permeability, which protects the roof by relieving wind stress.

Since a roof occupies approximately 40 percent of visible space on the average house, replacement is both a safety and aesthetic upgrade. Through innovative new production techniques, manufacturers are now able to produce tiles to suit almost any architectural style, from authentic Spanish and Mediterranean to historic or even contemporary. For example, the inspiration for all MonierLifetile styles comes from old-world materials like wood, clay and slate. This relentless innovation results in a roof that not only looks beautiful, but offers unsurpassed performance and protection to ensure the integrity of the structure.

With today's movement toward green building and cool roofing, concrete tile is an increasingly popular choice for buildings that are designed for energy efficiency. When built with an elevated batten system and other MonierLifetile roofing components, a tile roof allows air circulation underneath the tile, which reduces heat transfer to a home's attic. According to Dr. William A. Miller, Ph.D., of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, "Venting offers a significant 50% reduction in the heat penetrating the conditioned space compared to direct nailed roof systems that are in direct contact with the roof deck." Due to this design, tile not only saves energy but also reduces heating and cooling costs.

With the introduction of modern, more resilient materials, concrete tile offers an unmatched combination of aesthetics, durability and energy efficiency.

Based in Irvine, CA, MonierLifetile is a leading manufacturer of premium-quality roof tile. For more information visit www.monierlifetile.com

Contact:
Emily Towey
312-946-6143
towey@msinet.com