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Tile Roofs – New, Rebuild or Repaired

Concrete Tile Roof – New & Rebuild

Concrete is a more modern tile with a wide variety of colors and styles. Concrete tile is found with differing thicknesses and weight, but all using a similar base product. It is designed to replace the more expensive clay tile with a product of different but considerable character. Concrete tile is usually set without mortar on the trim pieces. A more uniform appearance is gained by using molds with the concrete. As the curing process does not affect the uniformity of the cement/ concrete materials as much as it does the natural clay products, the result is a straight, clean look.

Once you have narrowed down the field with reference to choice of contractor and materials, it is time to compare the written estimates. Make sure all the estimates cover the same workmanship and materials to complete the project. Some variables you might find or want to consider are as follows.

Re-roof or Overlay? Legally, you can install a new roof over your existing roof so long as it does not exceed three layers; however, this could change the fire rating. For instance, if you install a Class A materials over a material of a lesser fire-rating, it reduced the fire-rating of the new system. Even though the cost is somewhat higher to remove the existing roof, it is a recommended practice. Once the existing roof is removed, the contractor can check for any termite or dry-rot damage and make repairs before installing the new system. YOUR NEW ROOF WILL NOT LAST AS LONG IF YOU OVERLAY THE EXISTING ROOF.

Underlayment and Sheeting: The felt underlayment is a critical part of the roofing system. It is the roofing felt that actually makes the roof watertight. Uniform building requires #15 felt, two layers if the pitch is less than a 4/12 pitch. It is advisable to upgrade your underlayment to a #30 felt or possibly two layers for roof systems such as tile applications. If sheeting is required, plywood is far superior to the less expensive OSB Board. Make sure you know what your contractor intends to use.

Flashings and Vents: Does the estimate include replacing all the rooftop metal and flashings? Even if the metal appears to be in fairly good condition at the time, it is more cost effective to replace all heating vents, plumbing jacks, and any flashings at the time your home is being re-roofed. It is much costlier to have to replace the metal at a later date. It is a nice addition to the appearance of your home if the contractor paints the rooftop metal to match the new roof.

Concrete Roof Tiles

What are concrete roof tiles?

Do you want the appearance of a tile roof but not the high cost? Consider beautiful, long-lasting, and economical concrete roofing tiles. In the middle of the 19th century, in Bavaria, a mixture of cement, sand and water was first used to form roof tiles out of concrete. Many homes built with these first concrete roof tiles still remain, proving their durability. In the early 1900s, coloring pigments were added to concrete roofing tiles in Europe to simulate the appearance of clay. While these early concrete tiles were handmade or made with semi-automated machines, innovation over the past century has automated production, making concrete tile more economical than other roofing products on a life cycle basis.

What are the advantages of concrete roof tiles?

Concrete roof tiles most often last the lifetime of a house, typically carrying a limited lifetime, non-pro-rated, transferable warranty. Compare this to the limited warranties that accompany most composition shingles, and also how shorter lived products tend to overfill precious landfill space. Concrete tiles are Class A fire rated and resistant to damage from hail and high winds, typically achieving a minimum of a Class 3 hail resistance rating. Concrete tiles can sustain winds in excess of 125 miles per hour that would strip off most other roofing materials. Testing has also shown concrete tile roofing systems, when installed according to building code standards, exceed current seismic load requirements for building materials.

How much do concrete roof tiles cost?

Concrete tiles have grown more competitive in price, due in part to the rising costs of petroleumbased products such as asphalt shingles. Compared to unsightly weather-beaten asphalt shingles and their replacement costs, concrete roof tiles offer an affordable and economical alternative, especially when considering their life cycle cost. Concrete tile roofs have experienced 100-year lives in Europe.

What options do I have in selecting concrete roof tiles?

There are many style and color options available with concrete tile. Not limited to Sunbelt construction, concrete tiles can be used in cold climates provided specific installation precautions are followed. Modern concrete tile designs can simulate the appearance of traditional clay tiles, wood shake, slate and stone. Like clay, concrete tile surfaces can be textured or smooth, tile edges can be uniform or ragged, and architects may select tiles of all one color, blended colors or combinations of two or more shades placed in a uniform or random pattern. Regular portland cement is gray, but is also available in white. Pigments can be blended with either white or gray cement to allow for virtually any desired color, including bright whites, pastels and deep rich shades. Lightweight concrete tiles are also available in some regions of the country for re-roofing applications where the roof structure is insufficient to support standard weight concrete tiles.

How difficult is it to maintain concrete roof tiles?

A yearly visual inspection of a concrete roof can help protect against accumulation of leaf debris in the valleys, or moss growth that could create a damming effect with rain. Moss and algae do not harm concrete tiles, but periodic cleaning with a power washer by a professional can remove them, and the use of biocides or zinc strips may be incorporated to slow the growth of these organisms. After periods of high winds, earthquake, or extensive hail, a visual inspection of the roof should also be made to ensure that there are no cracked, broken, or loose tiles needing replacement.

Call Amherst Roofing, Inc., today for a free inspection, free estimate or have general questions reguarding a New Tile Roof. 239-594-1133.