Homeowners who want stylish and durable roofing should consider clay tiles. They can last 100 years or more and are among the most durable and energy-efficient roofing materials available. Clay tiles are low maintenance and come in various colors, shapes, and designs to fit almost any architectural style. We’ll guide you through the history of clay tiles, the cost of installing a new roof, and available styles to help you decide whether this type of roofing is right for your home.
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What Are Clay Tile Roofs?
Clay tile roofs have been around for thousands of years and are typically made by filling tile molds that bake in extremely high temperatures in a kiln. Once made of slate, fired clay, or terra cotta, contemporary clay tile roofing is made from molded and tinted concrete. Clay roofing tiles come in many styles and shapes, such as curved, flat, fluted, and interlocking.
History
Clay tiles were first used in China in 10,000 B.C. during the Neolithic Age and expanded to Middle Eastern architecture not long after. Clay tile roofing then spread throughout Asia and Europe. It was commonly used by the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans.
The centuries-old tradition of clay tile making has remained remarkably unchanged. As one artisan in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico demonstrates, making tiles without machines “is a costly art. It requires a lot of affection, even more than you would give a baby,” according to the 58-year-old grandfather who has spent nearly 30 years shaping clay into tiles.
In the United States, the craft of tile making found particular success through artisans like Henry Chapman Mercer, whose Moravian Pottery and Tile Works began selling handmade tiles in 1899. Mercer, who didn’t begin selling tiles until age 43, drew inspiration from his extensive travels through Europe and the Middle East, creating designs based on “objects he’d collected, prints in books, impressions of ancient tiles, and even old cast-iron stove plates,” notes Vance Koehler, curator of the tile works.
How Clay Tiles Are Made
Clay tiles are typically manufactured using a casting process and can be shaped by hand or by factory machines. Molds are filled with wet clay and then baked in a kiln until hardened. The three most common shapes are mission or barrel tiles, Spanish tiles, and flat tiles.
The manufacturing process begins with clay preparation. As Steve from Pewabic Pottery explains, raw clay is processed through a filter press that removes water, resulting in a plastic clay that “looks almost like a pizza crust.” These clay sheets are then fed into a pug mill where they’re compressed into brick-shaped logs. The entire process from dry materials to finished clay logs takes about a day.
Pros and Cons of Clay Tile Roofs
Here are some arguments in favor of clay tile roofing and a few variables you should consider.
Pros
- Clay tile roofs are fire-resistant and can withstand wind, hail, and extreme climates.
- Clay tile roofs have superior insulating properties, helping keep your home comfortable and reducing energy bills.
- Clay tile roofs last for more than 100 years.
Cons
- Clay tiles and roof installation have a high upfront cost.
- Clay tiles can break easily during installation.
- Clay tiles are heavy, and your roof may require additional structural support.
Pro Tip
- John Dybas, roofer, explains the durability of clay tiles: “Our roof is made out of Spanish clay tiles, and over here, the original roof is still in place, and that makes it about 75 years old.”
Cost of Clay Tile Roofs
Clay tiles cost $3 to $7 per square foot for materials and $8 to $25 per square foot for installation. Additional factors that affect pricing are below.
- Accessibility and permits: Roofs that are difficult to access can increase labor costs, as can roofing permits.
- Professional installation: Professional labor by experienced roofers will add $5 to $18 per square foot.
- Roof pitch and configuration: Roofs with a steep pitch or a complex configuration require specialized tools and more time to install.
- Tile style and grade: The style and grade of the tiles affect the price of materials and installation, which increases labor costs.
*Cost data in this article was sourced from Angi.
Clay Tile Roof Styles
Clay tile roofs come in a number of styles and shapes.
Flat tiles lack barrels or rolls and can interlock or be double-thick to mimic the look of wood shakes. This style works best in regions with heavy rain or snow.
Interlocking tiles overlap and interlock on each side. This style is easy to install and is best for lower-pitched roofs.
Barrel clay roof tiles, also known as mission tiles, are round and semi-circular and are often seen in Spanish and Mediterranean architecture. Barrel tiles interlock but alternate between facing up and facing down.
Clay Tile Roof Colors and Finishes
Clay tiles come in many different colors and finishes to achieve unique looks.
Natural Clay Colors
Natural clay tiles are typically available in earth tones, such as reddish-brown, gray, brown, beige, and orange. They’re also available in a weathered or aged finish, which gives them shine.
Glazing and Finishes
Clay tiles are available in matte, glossy, or metallic finishes and can be coated with paint and stains in nearly any color.
- The clay composition significantly impacts the final color range. Heath Ceramics, for instance, uses two signature clay recipes: a brown clay rich in iron oxide from Sacramento earth for earth-toned glazes, and a white clay with Florida ingredients for brighter, lighter colors. This dual-clay approach allows manufacturers to achieve a broader spectrum of natural tones beyond the typical reddish-brown and beige options.
Clay Tile Roof Lifespan
Clay tile roofs can last more than 100 years when installed properly, much longer than most other roofing materials. Some manufacturers offer a 50- or 75-year warranty.
Clay Tile Roof Maintenance
Clay tiles require minimal maintenance, but you should regularly inspect your roof and keep it clear of debris. Here’s how to maintain your clay tile roof:
- Inspect your roof at least once per year and pay to repair any damaged roof tiles.
- Keep your roof clear of debris and moss with preventative maintenance.
- Regularly clean the gutters to prevent water from pooling and damaging your roof.
- Trim any tree branches hanging over the roof.
Is a Clay Tile Roof Right for You?
Clay tile roofs are expensive, but their durability and longevity make them a worthwhile investment. Not all roofing structures can support the heavy weight of tile, which is between 700 and 1,000 pounds per roofing square. You may need to reinforce your structure.
Pro Tip
- John Dybas, an experienced roofer, emphasizes the importance of proper underlayment: “This is a new polypropylene material, it has no moisture, or very little in it, so it doesn’t have to worry about the sun damaging it, and also, it’s extremely durable, doesn’t tear or rip.” He notes that quality underlayment comes with a 50-year warranty, matching the tiles’ longevity.
Our Conclusion
Clay tile roofs are durable, attractive, and energy-efficient, but they come at a cost. Shingle roofs are a less costly alternative, while metal roofing can range from less expensive to more pricey for luxury materials such as copper. We recommend consulting a structural engineer to determine whether your roofing system can support the weight of a clay tile roof before moving forward with installation.
- Clay tiles have proven their longevity throughout history. As noted in TOH’s archives, European colonists of the 17th and 18th centuries used curved, interlocking, terra-cotta tiles that recalled houses in the homeland, where barrel tiles have been used since the Roman Empire. This centuries-old track record explains why modern clay tiles can last 50-100 years.
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FAQ About Clay Tile Roofs
Are clay tiles good for roofs?
Clay tiles can protect your roof from weather conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold, fire, high winds, and hail. Clay tiles can last decades, but your existing structure must be able to support its heavy weight.
What is the disadvantage of clay tile roofing?
The biggest disadvantage of clay tile roofing is the upfront cost. However, a clay tile roof could save you money on maintenance in the long run.
How many years does a clay tile roof last?
A clay tile roof can last more than 100 years when properly installed and maintained. Clay outlasts most other roofing materials.
What is a clay tile roof?
A clay tile roof is a roof constructed with baked and molded clay tiles. These tiles are either handmade or manufactured in a factory.
What are the benefits of a clay tile roof?
Clay tile roofs last longer than other types of roofing materials and have low maintenance requirements. Clay is also very durable and insulating.
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