The rustic look and feel of clay tile roofing is an increasingly popular choice for homeowners all over the country. Considered a “lifetime” roof, tiles are available in a huge variety of styles, profiles, colors and shapes liked curved, flat, color glazed or with a texture applied surface. The possibilities are really quite endless giving consumers a big menu to choose from when it comes to deciding what they want their roof to look like.

While this once hand-made style of roofing has been around for thousands of years, today’s interlocking or overlapping tiles are created by baking (firing) molded clay in a very high-temperature kiln.  One of the most durable roofing materials on the market, tile is a green choice that doesn’t burn or rot and is known for its resistance to weather and insect damage, among other things. Dependability is the most vital component of any roof and clay tile is sitting near the top of the list when it comes to extreme durability.

Clay is often associated with warmer Mediterranean or Southwestern climates, yet with the help of a few modern tweaks, these tiles are now capable of withstanding a variety of weather conditions. Flat styles are often used to create French and English looks while curved styles are used for Mission or Spanish-style old world European looks as well as Southwestern looks. An interesting point to note is that their inherent design, aerodynamic installation and durability, make clay tiles highly wind resistant. In addition to this, glazed tiles can allow for increased resistance against thawing/freezing, as well as salty air absorption, should your property be built in a particularly cold or coastal area.

Interested in increasing your property value?  You’re in luck because a beautifully and properly installed clay tile roof can turn a lot of heads and increase the asking price of your home. The roof over your head not only protects the things you care for and love but it can make your house sell faster or at the very least, make your sales listing more competitive and add a lot of value to your residential investment.

Clay tile is more expensive than some of the other roofing materials available today but its beauty and natural appearance often outweigh the cost for homeowners looking for an attractive choice to enhance their property. Moreover, while the cost of a tile roof can be steep at the outset, like many other high end materials, clay is often considered a cost-effective option when studied on a life-cycle basis.

The bottom line is that clay roof tiles are simply one of the most versatile and eye-catching roofing materials available on the market today.

Pros and Cons:

Let’s start with the limitations:

• Due to the weight of this material, your roof may need extra support before installation.
• Due to the fact that they are essentially pieces of baked clay, these tiles are rather breakable and can chip easily. It would probably be a good idea to have your roof inspected after severe storms as clay tiles cannot withstand major direct contact (heavy hail or fallen tree branches).
• They are slightly absorbent but they hold about the same amount of water as common shingles.
• Clay tile roofing is more expensive than some other roofing options (keeping in mind that the weight of the tiles may create a need for additional roof support), but most homeowners find that the charm and aesthetic as well as actual value they add to a property outweigh the extra dollar or two.

Now for the good stuff:

• While you want to avoid walking on clay tiles, they are certainly not weak – in fact, this material is considered a lifetime roof and can last upwards of 50-100 years or more.
• Clay is a low-maintenance option with beautiful color and style choices as well as built-in fire protection.
• Clay is green! By having choosing to go with this roofing material, you’ll be doing your bit for the environment as well as keeping your energy costs lower.  Lighter clay tiles reflect solar heat helping to keep your home cool during the summer months.
• Adds resale value to your property
• Clay won’t fade or diminish over the years

If you’re interested in having a clay roof installed, give WCC Roofing a call today at 314-596-0596.  We are the area’s tile roofing specialists and we can walk you through the process of deciding whether this material is the right choice for your property and your lifestyle.