05 Jun What to look for when choosing a roof tile

Your roof tiles have a huge impact on the overall appearance of your home. Yet with so many options on the market, it can be difficult for homeowners to select the right tiles for their roofs.

Here we take a look at the different types of roof tile available, and some important considerations to take into account before making your decision.

Understanding roof tiles

The roof tile market now offers an abundance of materials, shapes and colours. It can be easy to fall in love with a particular colour or design, but you also need to think about the properties of the tile before purchasing.

• Are the tiles the right weight for the strength of your roof?
• Are the colour and style in keeping with your property and other buildings in your neighbourhood?
• Are the tiles suitable for the weather conditions?
• Do they fit in with your budget?

To make an informed decision, you need to understand the properties of the different types of roof tile available. Here are some of the most popular tiles on the market:

1. Clay

Clay roof tiles are extremely popular because of their attractive appearance. They have a distinctive, dark red, Mediterranean look which fits in well with modern home designs. They are also available in a variety of different shades, making it easy for you to customise the appearance of your roof.

As clay is a completely natural material, it is an eco-friendly option, which is something we are all thinking more about these days. It is also highly weather-resistant and does not require much maintenance. However, clay is more brittle than some other roofing materials, and it can be expensive.

2. Concrete

Concrete is one of the most popular materials used for roofing tiles. Concrete tiles are cost-effective and extremely durable. They can also look highly attractive, as they can be made to look like more expensive materials such as clay or slate.

However, concrete is a heavy material, so your roof will need to be strong enough to take the weight.

3. Slate

Attractive, completely natural and extremely strong, slate roof tiles are highly desirable, and can increase the value of your home. One of the main advantages of slate tiles is that they are naturally resistant to water and corrosion, as well as being able to cope with extreme temperature changes.

The main disadvantage of slate is the cost; it is the most expensive roofing material. However, slate composite tiles are a cheaper alternative which will give you the appearance of natural slate.

Things to consider

Local planning regulations

Talk to the council before choosing your roof tiles. There may be restrictions in place such as all the buildings in your area having to have the same roof tiles, or tiles needing to be inspected to check that they meet environmental standards.

The pitch of your roof

The pitch of your roof may have an impact on the type of tiles it can support. For example, some slate tiles are not suitable for low-pitched roofs.

If you would like more help and advice choosing the right roof tiles, please contact us. The team here at Roundhay are always happy to help.