Clay or Concrete Tile: Which Is the Better Roofing Material?
Tile is a premium material for roofing installation that’s popular with traditional and Mediterranean-style homes. You have two types to choose from: clay and concrete, and each one has its own strengths and areas in which it excels.
Rapid Roofing, your roof installation service experts, discusses what those are, so you can tell which one is the best choice for your home.
Clay Tiles
Clay tiles are produced by baking molded clay and usually boast the popular terracotta color. It is also often found in natural earth tone colors, which makes clay tile the best choice for traditional homes, specifically, Mediterranean or Greek-style homes.
Roofers like us recommend clay tiles for homes in need of a robust, wind-resistant roof. They are also fireproof, and because of the way they are shaped, they’re better at protecting the underlayment of the roof. This same shape also creates an air pocket that helps insulate the roof.
Concrete Tiles
These tiles are made of a mixture of sand, cement and water. Like clay, they are molded under high heat and pressure. They come in three appearances: flat, low profile and high profile. What’s unique about these tiles is they have an additional water lock or interlocking ribs that prevent water infiltration.
Concrete tiles can simulate the appearance of traditional roofing materials, such as wood shake, slate, stone and even clay tiles. These tiles are fire-, wind- and hail-resistant, and are slightly more durable than clay as they are not naturally brittle.
Which One to Pick?
Due to their lighter weight, low-maintenance properties and ability to retain their color longer, clay tiles are the all-round choice if what you’re looking for is an upgrade from wood shake or asphalt. With proper care and maintenance, clay tiles can last well over 100 years.
Concrete is also a solid choice because, unlike clay, it doesn’t become brittle during the winter. Its heavier weight makes it more susceptible to water absorption and mold development, but it also gives this material superior resistance to strong winds. Concrete tiles are also more versatile as they can be manufactured to look like other materials.
As one of the top local roofing companies, Rapid Roofing will help you pick the right type of tile roof for your home. Call us today at (734) 234-5900 to learn more about our services. We are local roofers in Ann Arbor and other parts of Michigan.
