Tile roofs are beautiful but beauty isn’t the only reason to select tile the next time you’re ready to replace your roof.
Tiles have a long life expectancy and are well suited for homes either in or adjacent to forested areas, depending on the elevation. They also are more durable under harsh weather conditions, are fireproof, and resist damage during earthquakes, an important consideration here in California.
If you’ve been to Greece or another Mediterranean country, you’ve seen plenty of examples of tile roofs. Still, it may surprise you to learn that tile roofs date back to the Third Millennium B.C.E. in Greece. While early on the tiles were made from clay and slate, in today’s world concrete and plastic tiles are popular, as well as slate, depending on your budget.
There are other facts about tile that may surprise you. They perform better at keeping homes cool during hot summers and warm during cold winters. In addition, tile roofs are resistant to rotting and insect boring.
Not everyone realizes that tiles for roofs come in a wide variety of colors. They can be made of slate or the tiles themselves can be made to look like shake or wood shingles. The color of the tiles can range from adobe red to moss green, and from driftwood grey to a cool ocean blue.
They should easily last 50 years and, depending upon your follow-up care, for the rest of your life.
To get the most from your new tile roof you should:
- Regularly inspect your roof for missing and/or broken tiles so you can replace them.
- As with all roofs, it’s important to inspect flashings for deterioration.
- Remove debris build-up in the valleys or on the roof.
- Respond quickly to any leakage that occurs.
- Pressure wash any loose moss or algae growth that can occur on a tile roof.
If you have any questions about your tile roof, or if you are thinking of replacing it, don’t hesitate to contact Letitia Hanke-Ryzhkov, CEO of Alternative Roofing Solutions, Inc. at 707-521-2104 or 415-459-7200, www.arsroofing.com.