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With so many different roof types, you might wonder which roofing material is a better long-term investment, between concrete roof tiles and terracotta roof tilings. The fact is, each roofing tile option has benefits and downsides.
The ideal roofing tiles will depend on various criteria, including the region in which you reside, the type of residence, and how much money you are prepared to spend on roofing materials. Continue reading this article for a detailed comparison of terracotta roofing tiles vs. concrete roof tiles to help you choose the best roof tile for your home.
What Are Terracotta Tiles?
Terracotta is a natural material utilised throughout history for various purposes, including construction and pottery. It's made of burnt red-brown clay, which results in a stunningly warm and natural tone. Terracotta tiles can be left unfinished or glazed in a matte or glossy finish and could work well in your house and give your roof a distinct character.
Clay terracotta tiles are typically produced in two shapes: round pan-shaped tiles and flat tiles. If you live in a rainy region, builders often employ round tiles. To prevent rainfall from escaping through the roof, the rounded tiles are arranged in an overlapping pattern. Flat terracotta roof tiles are also overlapped, although they are more common in dry places.
Any Health Risks Associated With Terracotta Roofs?
Terracotta tiles are made chiefly of clay baked in a kiln. These roofing tiles do not need aggregate, glue, or other chemical ingredients that may release gases or chemicals into your house or the surrounding environment. Terracotta tiles will not leach any heavy metals or potentially dangerous materials into the water you capture and store in a cistern if you want to install a rainwater catchment system.
These tiles will, however, need frequent roof restorations like pressure cleaning to remove mould and debris from your roof that might block the rainwater collection system or make your roof look dull.
What Are The Advantages Of Terracotta Roofing?
Energy efficiency
Clay tiles may effectively retain heat and provide excellent thermal performance, lowering the energy required to heat and cool your house. Up to around 85 per cent of energy loss in under-insulated homes happens via the attic and roof. A terracotta roof, when paired with sufficient attic insulation, could assist in cutting your monthly energy expenses while lowering your home's carbon impact.
Terracotta tiles are also an excellent choice for homes in hot regions. The light tint of the glazed terracotta roof tiles reflects the sun's heat, making your dwelling cooler and requiring less extra air conditioning.
Resilience and durability
Clay terracotta tiled roofs are incredibly long-lasting and could easily survive for about 100 years or more if correctly placed. The only care required is occasional pressure washing to remove any mould or other debris that has gathered over time. Certain clay tiles are coated with a polyurethane coating to boost moisture resistance and prevent organic material accumulation.
Furthermore, terracotta tiles are ideal for coastal homes as salty air harms metal and asphalt shingle roofs. Their massive size allows them to endure hurricane-force winds. The kiln-fired clay is also very impervious to the continual bombardment of sea spray.
Recyclable
The application of terracotta tiles on roofs generates no waste. While other roofing materials pollute landfills, terracotta is natural, harmless, and can be recycled quickly.
Fireproof
Another significant advantage of terracotta is its resistance to burning. Many non-fire-resistant roofing materials need costly treatments to meet fire standards. Extra steps and expenditures are reduced with terracotta tile, and peace of mind is gained. As previously indicated, terracotta tiles are Class-A fire-rated when used correctly and without additional treatment.
Drawbacks Of Terracotta Tiles
They are bulky and heavy
Terracotta roofing tiles are among the heavier roofing options. Compared to the other tiles, they are rather heavy and bulky. Therefore, it is critical to first check that your structure can withstand the weight of these tiles before they are installed. Terracotta tiles may not be the most fantastic choice for your home if it has a higher roof pitch or if severe snow dams are a concern.
Concrete Roof Tiles
Concrete tiles are made by combining water with aggregate components. They are made of sand, cement, and water and can be painted or have colour incorporated into them before they are cast into their tile form for a longer-lasting effect. These raw materials are extruded under high pressure throughout their production.
They are less expensive than terracotta tiles and are also more durable. In addition, they come in various colours and forms and are simple to care for. Standard concrete roof tiles typically endure the life of a property and come with a limited lifetime, non-prorated, transferable guarantee.
Concrete tiles are Class A fire rated and are also resistant to hail and severe winds, with a minimum hail resistance grade of Class 3. They can withstand winds of more than 125 miles (201km) per hour, which would destroy most other roofing materials.
Concrete tile roofing systems have also been tested to meet current seismic load requirements for building materials when constructed according to building code standards.
Advantages Of Using Concrete Roof Tiles
Insulation and climate suitability
Concrete tiles have a higher thermal mass than terracotta, and as a result, they store more solar heat throughout the day that is then discharged in the evening. Their thickness and capacity primarily determine the usefulness of concrete tiles in warmer northern areas of Australia to deflect heat from the sun. Concrete tiles have strong insulative characteristics and are effective in controlling heat.
Minimal upkeep
While every roof needs some care under normal conditions and with correct installation, concrete tile roofing systems require relatively minor upkeep. Because concrete is highly resistant to damage, it's doubtful that you will need to conduct any significant roof repair work. If a section of your roof is in disrepair, your roofer will simply need to repair the damaged tile.
Noise reduction
Concrete roofing tiles provide excellent soundproofing. They effectively prevent and reduce noise levels outside, allowing you to rest without disturbing outside noise. Relative to other roof materials, such as metal roofing, tiles may lower noise by over around 32 decibels. Thus, concrete tiles effectively keep noise out of your home if you live in a noisy neighbourhood.
Drawbacks Of Concrete Roof Tiles
The weight
One of the first issues with concrete roof tile is its sheer weight. Concrete roof tiles are substantially heavier than other roofing materials, including asphalt, clay tiles, composites, and also metal. Concrete tiles may weigh anything from around 820 to 1100 pounds per 100 square feet (372kg to 499kg per 9 square metres).
This implies that any home with concrete tile roofing must have enough structural strength. Otherwise, the total weight of your concrete roofing tiles may be too much for your home to bear, causing structural integrity problems.
Water absorption
When it comes to house construction materials, You should avoid porous materials. When not adequately coated and weatherproofed, certain materials, such as concrete roof tiles, tend to absorb moisture. Rainwater, dampness from foliage, and even air moisture can permeate the material if sealants or other types of protection are not used.
This causes mould, mildew, and maybe even damage to the concrete tiles. On the other hand, water absorption can make already heavy concrete roofing tiles much heavier. As a result, additional strain is placed on the home's general structure, which could lead to major structural issues.
Concrete Or Terracotta Roof Tiles: You Decide
As you have seen in this article, both terracotta and concrete roof tiles have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore assessing your structural capabilities is critical as you decide what works best, whether you need to carry out a roof replacement or new roof installation. If you are unsure which option to choose, contact a professional roofing company and you will be advised and assisted accordingly.
