Realty.com

Consumer Guides

Install or Replace Tile Roofing

Tile roofs initially cost a lot more to install than asphalt shingle or wood shake roofs but they also last much longer. Depending on the quality, a tile roof may last 50 years or more.

Traditional clay tile is very heavy, sometimes requiring structural reinforcement. However, many tile roofing materials are now offered in new light weight versions which can be used on most structures without reinforcement.

In addition to traditional Spanish and Mediterranean styles, tile is available in exact replications of shake, wood shingle and slate. Tiles are available in a wide spectrum of colors, ranging from the well-known adobe red to colors that are reminiscent of moss green, driftwood grey and ocean blue.

Tile roofs resist hurricanes, earthquakes and weather extremes better than other materials. Tile is fireproof, with a class A rating. Tile also acts as an insulator, helping to keep homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Accessories for tile roofs are widely assorted, including birdstops, cloaked attic vents, hip starters, apexes and multiple other options.

Tile has the unique ability of being able to accent, or complement, the exterior color or finish of any home or building. And when combined with the range of styles and finishes tile comes in, a tile roof not only adds to the beauty of a structure, it can also add to its value, making it more attractive to a buyer and more profitable to the seller.