Roof Tiling and Slating

If your roof has reached the end of its serviceable life and you are considering a roof replacement, there are a variety of materials to consider.

Among the considerations that help you will be the style, unit cost, coverage of the tiles, green credentials and, for heritage projects or areas of outstanding beauty, historical integrity, longevity, durability, sustainability and energy efficiency.

Clay tiles

Clay roof tiles come in various colours and shapes, with unique tiles for valleys, ridges and gulleys. One of the fundamental reasons clay tiles are so well-loved is their highly appealing look and longevity.

While the exact lifespan can vary depending on the product and manufacturer, clay roof tiles last roughly 60 years. The BRE (Building Research Establishment) determined that this average can be considered a minimum. Clay is considered the most durable roofing material with a proven service life of up to 150 years.

Clay tiles typically weigh between 70kg and 80kg per square metre so their weight can impact ease of installation, it can also mean they are not suitable for all roof types.

Concrete tiles

The advantage of concrete tiles is the range available – many of which interlock, offering improved waterproofing, secure fixing and shallower roof pitches – and good prices.

A wide range of colours, textures and finishes are available, from the thick double-roman tile that is seen on many new-builds to all sorts of heritage-look tiles offering accost effective alternatives to traditional tiles.

The disadvantage of these tiles is that they don’t always weather as well as the original items do, and can have a shorter life expectancy.

Depending on where your property is situated, concrete can sometimes promote moss growth, so it’s worth considering maintenance in the decision.

Concrete is dense and strong, and intrinsically fire-resistant. This is a great safety feature for any home to have and means that your property’s structure will be preserved in case of a fire.

Concrete is one of the more environmentally friendly choices of construction materials, as none of the elements contained within a concrete formula are extracted using environmentally-damaging manufacturing techniques and materials. Concrete can also be made using recycled materials – another environmentally-conscious choice for your property.

This is one of the heaviest choices of material, which means it’s not always easy to install them. Reinforcement maybe needed in order to support the weight.

Interlocking tiles

Interlocking roof tiles overlap and interlock at their sides, enabling them to be laid in a single, weather-tight lap.

Manufacturers typically guarantee the tiles for 30 years and suggest that 60 years is a reasonable service life.

Interlocking tiles or slates are generally of a bigger size and weight of the more traditional materials. These are a popular choice for new builds and building sites as they cover well and are easy to install.

Slate tiles

Aesthetically pleasing and durable, natural slates are made from a fine-grained metamorphic rock that can be split into thin layers. Whilst this makes them more expensive, they offer an authentic solution, especially for Heritage roofing projects.

Slate roofing tiles can last 100 years and far more. Like clay, any broken slate tiles should be replaced as soon as possible to maintain the longevity of your roof.

Most roofing contractors are not qualified to install slate roofs. As slate requires specialised installation from master slaters (trained to install roofs that last). Instructing a specialised roofing contractor is advisable to get a better finish, both aesthetically and structurally.

Slate is very heavy! On average, slate weighs about 360-700 kilograms per square (~9.3 metres) of roofing material).