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Look for a professional – Do they have a reputation for honesty and quality? Do they complete their jobs on time and within budget? Do they understand and abide by manufacturer specifications for installation?ĭo your homework – Evaluate potential contractors’ insurance policies and record their professional license number so that you can ask your state’s Department of Professional Regulation and Licensing about its validity. Meet with them to get an appreciation for their commitment to quality and value in your job. Referrals – Always obtain referrals from builders and homeowners who have used concrete tile contractors. According to the Tile Roofing Institute, there are several points to remember when choosing an installation contractor: What should I look for to be sure I'm getting a quality installation?Ī new roof is a big investment, so the quality of the roofing materials you are specifying and the reputation of the contractor are important considerations. 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. 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. Regular portland cement is gray, but is also available in white. 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. Modern concrete tile designs can simulate the appearance of traditional clay tiles, wood shake, slate and stone. Not limited to Sunbelt construction, concrete tiles can be used in cold climates provided specific installation precautions are followed. There are many style and color options available with concrete tile. What options do I have in selecting concrete roof tiles? Concrete tile roofs have experienced 100-year lives in Europe. 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.
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Testing has also shown concrete tile roofing systems, when installed according to building code standards, exceed current seismic load requirements for building materials.Ĭoncrete tiles have grown more competitive in price, due in part to the rising costs of petroleumbased products such as asphalt shingles. Concrete tiles can sustain winds in excess of 125 miles per hour that would strip off most other roofing materials.
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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.
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Compare this to the limited warranties that accompany most composition shingles, and also how shorter lived products tend to overfill precious landfill space. What are the advantages of concrete roof tiles?Ĭoncrete roof tiles most often last the lifetime of a house, typically carrying a limited lifetime, non-pro-rated, transferable warranty. 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. In the early 1900s, coloring pigments were added to concrete roofing tiles in Europe to simulate the appearance of clay. Many homes built with these first concrete roof tiles still remain, proving their durability. 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. Do you want the appearance of a tile roof but not the high cost? Consider beautiful, long-lasting, and economical concrete roofing tiles.
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