Tile roofing is best known for its broad range of styles and appealing beauty that stands out from other roofs. But sometimes people think of tile as the “pretty face” of roofing materials, associating them with high costs of installation and maintenance and, thus, not worth the investment. However, tile roofs offer more than just good looks, especially in Broward County, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton, and Light House Point.
Durable tile roofing solutions are excellent choices for homes and businesses that experience hot and humid weather or frequent exposure to salt air. These cities near Florida’s east shore frequently experience scorching summers and high temperatures. Since they can last up to 100 years, tile roofing can become one of your most cost-effective investments.
However, tiles still need maintenance and care to last their expected lifespan. Like any other roofing material, tiles have some downsides to consider when choosing materials for your new roof.
Pros vs. Cons of Tiles: Is the right choice for you?
Advantages of tile roofs
1. Superior weather resistance:
Tiles naturally resist water, fire, wind, rot, and insect damage. According to the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance (TRI), clay and concrete tiles have been tested to withstand wind speeds up to 150 m/p and to resist impact damage from hailstones as large as a golf ball. Likewise, clay and concrete tile roofing have class A fire resistance due to their composition and exceed the current seismic load requirements.
2. Sustainable and energy-efficient
Most tiles, except composite ones, are made from earth minerals, plants, and animals that remain decomposited in the soil. They also don’t contain preservatives, so they can be pulverized and recycled without additional treatment when they die.
Thanks to their heavy thermal mass, tiles can help regulate indoor temperatures, reinforced by the natural air ventilation under the installed tiles, which acts as a natural barrier against heat transfer and can lower energy costs by 20%. Hence, if sustainability and energy efficiency are two of your concerns, you should look for tile roofing contractors near me.
3. Natural beauty and versatility
Few roofing materials are as versatile as tile roofing. Clay and concrete tiles can be molded to resemble wood shakes, shingle-style slate, chipped stone, and traditional barrels and s-shaped profiles, which have been valued for thousands of years.
If you want to stand out from your neighborhood’s roofs or make a style statement, an affordable tile roof installation is a great choice.
Disadvantages of tile roofs
1. They require a sturdy roofing structure.
Tile roofs are heavy, and not all roofing systems can withstand additional stress. For example, clay tiles can weigh up to 2,000 pounds per 100 square feet, and concrete tiles can weigh up to 700 pounds per 100 square feet. Hence, consulting with professional roofers before installing tile roofing is always a good idea. They can measure and inspect your roofing system condition, determine if it can withstand tiles’ weight, and if you need reinforcement structure.
2. They are not suitable for all roof pitches.
Tiles are suitable for roofs with sharp slopes. Hence, they shouldn’t be installed on roofs with a pitch of less than four horizontal for 12 vertical inches (4:12). This is because usually, on steeped roofs, the laps happen at the high side of the tile to prevent water from leaking between the tiles, which can’t be achieved with tiles on flat roofs. Thus, if you have a flat or low-sloped roof, you should look for other options beyond tile roofing.
3. Tiles can brittle
While several durable tile roofing solutions are available on the market, they are susceptible to brittleness due to heavy impacts, such as from a falling tree limb or a person walking on your roof. However, since tiles are installed individually, you can replace the individual tiles without having to affect the rest of the roof if one gets damaged, which helps you reduce repair costs.
Get high-quality roofs with high-quality tile roofing contractors near me.
If you’re anywhere in Broward County and are looking for reliable roofers to help you install your new tiles roof, Hyer Quality is what you’re looking for. With over 30 years of experience serving the south of Florida, we’re proud to work with the leading metal, shingle, and tile roofing manufacturers. Thus, we guarantee superior materials and installation to ensure a roof that lasts for years.
Call us at 954-781-8556 and get your free quote!