Want to know about the innovations in tile roofing? Tile is one of the oldest roofing materials, used for centuries worldwide. Today’s tile comes in natural clays or modern composites. Innovations make the tile more durable and better performing than ever. Let’s explore 7 key improvements in modern tile roofing and products from tile roofing supply companies.
Improvement 1: More Durable
Roof tiles are baked from clay or cement to be hard. New ways of pressing the materials make modern tile extra tough. They resist breaking from storms, branches, hail, and footsteps better than old tile. Enhanced tiles last over 50 years on average. Some new tiles last even longer!
Improvement 2: Lighter Weight
Clay tiles are heavy. Weight can crack roof wood over many years. New polymer-blended concrete tiles are up to 50% lighter than clay. Less weight is easier to install. It won’t sag roof structures as fast. Workers move faster, too, saving homeowners money. Ask tile roofing supply companies for certified pro referrals.
Improvement 3: Better Shapes
Tiles come in a flat or curved shape. New computer modeling lets manufacturers shape fancy wave and arch designs never possible before. People wanting a custom roof personality have more choices in tile. Unique roofs increase home beauty and value.
Improvement 4: More Color Choices
Tile pulls natural color from the clay minerals used. Factories now mix more hues and embed protective coatings. This allows super vibrant and fade-proof reds, yellows, and blues that stay colorful longer. Tiles today offer rainbow options beyond basic orange clay.
Improvement 5: Advanced Water Shedding
Tiles overlap to shed rain. New liquid finishes seal the surface fully waterproof but still breathe heat underneath. Special locks and ridge shapes also prevent blow-offs in the wind/storms. This keeps the insides dry for the tile’s 50+ year lifespan.
Improvement 6: Eco-Friendly Making
People want greener choices, even for roofing. New tile uses recycled plastic, wood scraps, and rainwater collected onsite to mix the cement clay blend rather than only raw virgin materials. Solar heat sometimes bakes tiles instead of fossil fuels. This lowers the ecological impact versus old manufacturing ways.
Improvement 7: Easier Installation
It’s best to have still full tile roofs installed by experienced crews. But new interlocking tile with pre-drilled nail holes allows regular people to install small sections or repairs successfully. Online videos show amateurs how. Choosing beginner-level DIY tile is key for best results.
What Makes Tiles So Durable?
A few secrets make tiles extra tough:
- Baked Hard – Tile is produced by baking clay or cement blend at over 2000°F. This superheat hardens the tiles almost like glass or stone. The kiln firing process makes them highly weather-resistant.
- Overlapping Design – Individual tiles interlock shingle-style so water runs off rather than seeping through cracks. This layered method protects roofs for decades.
- Extra Reinforcement – Advanced polymer rubberizing agents and fiber mesh get mixed into premium composite tiles. This armor helps prevent cracks, chips, and breakage over long timeframes.
- Can’t Burn or Rot – High-fired clay can’t rot, mold, or catch fire, which removes these worries. Properly installed tile sheds rain before it penetrates underneath. This prevents moisture issues from leading to expensive structural repairs down the road.
Popular Tile Shape & Profile Styles
Beyond traditional flat rectangular tiles, numerous interesting profiles create visual appeal:
- Wavy/Scalloped Edges – These curved shapes add artistic flow with dimensional beauty not found on basic shingles or metal roofs. They heighten aesthetics.
- Interlocking Pieces – Puzzled-together tiles resist lifting or sliding out of place during storms. This prevents dangerous openings, allowing water intrusion leading to interior damage.
- Raised Ridges – Running rows of rounded or angled ridges across tiles facilitates better drainage and enhanced depth. It pleases the eye while protecting roofs.
- Rounded Edges – Barrel-shaped curved tiles boost a unique architectural accent. Despite their exotic lean, the shapely forms remain anchored sturdily in place by mounting tabs.
Tile Installation Tips
Here are 5 suggestions to benefit from tile:
- Have Supports Reinforced – Consider adding roof support plywood and framing to bear long-term tile weight, especially clay. Review with a building contractor.
- Hire Qualified Tile Roofers – Experienced regional crews know the best practices for layouts, flashings, alignments, and structural provisions in your climate. Certain tile shapes may have recommended pitch requirements, too. Don’t leave it to chance with amateurs. Ask tile roofing supply companies for certified pro referrals.
- Inspect Annually – Flashings and sections can loosen over decades after extreme weather. Arrange routine tile inspections/tune-ups to verify all attachments remain secured, caulking sealed, debris cleared, and drainage functioning properly. Immediate repairs prevent bigger issues later.
- Match Replacements Early – If storm damage cracks a few tiles, don’t let years lapse before finding suitable match replacements. Over long timeframes, manufacturing changes may discontinue your specific tile look and size. Check with the original tile roofing supply source about spares availability for your existing roof or verify warranty terms. Replacing a whole roof is never ideal.
Conclusion
Tile remains classic but keeps getting upgraded over time through cool innovations. Whether homeowners want custom looks or the latest longer-lasting tile with eco-friendly characteristics, visiting a local tile roofing supply showroom proves the tile redefines itself each year to satisfy changing customer needs beautifully. The future stays bright for spectacular tile roofing.