Take time to examine all of the options before making your selection. Consider the overall installation and long-term maintenance of a concrete tile roof when selecting concrete roof tiles for your next project. Installation is time-consuming and frequently necessitates homeowners to add structural support to keep from causing structural harm due to the weight of concrete tiles. Furthermore, concrete tiles require time-consuming and expensive maintenance and repairs to maintain the roof system's integrity. In this post, I will discuss common concrete roof tiles problems.
Concrete roof tiles have several drawbacks that you may not expect. Even though they've been quite popular in the United States for more than 70 years, there are still some issues with them.
What exactly are concrete roof tiles?
The popularity of concrete roof tiles has increased dramatically in the last 25 years, just like all tile roofing. In those early years, producing bricks was time-consuming and laborious since combining concrete and pouring it into metal or wooden molds to solidify. Nowadays, concrete roofing tiles are made in a factory, and the process involves molding a combination of sand, Portland cement, and water while under heat and high pressure. The exposed surface receives a paint-like finish with an application of the material.
Concrete roof tiles are popular among homeowners for their range of colors and styles and their ability to mimic old-world charm. Concrete roof tiles also reduce noise from the outside environment and contribute to a safe house by being non-toxic and wind- and fire-resistant. Concrete tiles reflect solar radiation, which helps lower energy costs in warm-sun regions. In cold climates, concrete roof tiles assist in keeping the home cool by keeping it insulated from freezing temperatures, saving on heating bills.
Concrete roof tiles have several drawbacks. Here are some of the important disadvantages of concrete roof tiles, as well as information on the best replacement for your roofing requirements.
Common concrete roof tiles problems
Heaviness
Concrete roof tiles weigh between 6 and 11 pounds per square foot instead of asphalt shingles, which weigh less than 2 pounds per square foot.
Concrete tile roofs are especially heavy, which necessitates extra roof framing reinforcement in severe snow accumulation regions.
You might want to read: How to seal a concrete tile roof?
Water Damage
Concrete tile roofs can absorb 13% of their weight if not adequately treated and waterproofed, which can cause them to fracture and allow water in. The tiles may soak up water through air moisture, rain, and even foliage. Water absorption can cause mold and mildew, and concrete tile deterioration. Furthermore, the extra weight of the water will put more strain on the home, which might lead to significant structural concerns.
Impact Damage
Tile damage can result from various causes, including a tree falling on the roof, foot traffic, or improper and incorrect installation. A tile's lower right corner might fracture or break due to space restrictions if the tiles are placed in a way that restricts their ability to expand. This requires a specialist to determine the extent of the damage and ensure that any structural issues are addressed. It's critical to address any severe structural problems right away since more severe cases may be beneath the surface. The damaged tiles must be replaced or repaired as soon as possible to avoid harming the house's underlying structure and interior.
Read more: How Many Layers Of Roofing Are Allowed In Florida?
Color Fading
Because the color of a concrete tile roof fades with time, matching replacement tiles is complex, and the porous nature of the tile makes it vulnerable to stains. As a result, homeowners must repaint a concrete tile roof every few years to ensure that it appears fresh.
Replacing Underlayment
The underlayment, on the other hand, only lasts around 20 years. The concrete tiles must be removed and replaced with new underlayment before replacing them. A time-consuming, expensive process, reinstalling the tiles after removing the concrete tiles, is required. The cost of replacing the underlayment of a 1,500-square-foot concrete tile roof ranges from $5,400 to $7,660, including labor.
What Is The Average Life Of A Concrete Tile Roof?
It's difficult to predict how long a concrete tiled roof will endure if you don't know the average life span.
A concrete tile roof can last for up to 50 years if properly maintained, inspected regularly, installed with high-quality underlayment, and hired or done by a professional roofer.
So, do you have to wait until after ten decades before replacing your roof? I don't believe so. When roof gets 30 or 35 years old, it will have faded and lost its luster. You may not appreciate the form it takes on after 40 years of service. Even if all other maintenance efforts are carried out regularly, you might locate a replacement before your roof reaches 40 years.
The felt or paper underlayment, on the other hand, wears out too quickly and must be replaced 20 to 30 years after the roof is built. Some are faster than that.
If you find out that the materials used to construct the roofs are substandard, you'll be forced to replace them much sooner than ten years. Some roofs that aren't correctly installed may take only a few years to remove and reinstall.
Increasing the Life Expectancy of Concrete Tiled Roofs
There are several ways to lengthen the life of your concrete tiled roofs and keep them from decaying. Maintaining roofs constructed with concrete tiles isn't all that difficult, as long as you remember a few simple things.
Insulate the Roof to Prevent Ice and Water Damage
The roof's primary purpose is to keep the inside of your home warm, calm, and pleasant. As a result, it is necessary for general comfort. It improves the resilience of your roof by reducing heat loss due to direct sunshine exposure.
There's a need to insulate the home effectively to keep it warm and reduce the cost of maintenance. The ideal alternative is to use airtight spray foam insulation. It's simple to put up, with breathable qualities and resistance to condensation and dampness.
Choose a Reputable Roofer
If you're looking for a roofer or roof contractor specializing in concrete tiles, don't hesitate to get quotes from multiple contractors. Choose a professional who will provide high-quality installation. If your roof isn't put up correctly, it'll rip in the wind and snowfall.
Make sure that the material you're buying is of high quality.
The materials used in creating concrete tiles are the basis, and if the foundation is shaky, the installation will offer little or nothing. That's why immediately before adding water and sand to the cement, it is vital to use high-quality materials. The same rule applies when constructing tiles. The best ingredients must be utilized when preparing surfaces.
Use high-quality underlayment.
Ensure that your concrete tiled roofs have been correctly and fully underlain with premium material before the shingles are put on. Underlayment is required to protect the top from moisture and snow penetration. It also aids in preventing a roof from ripping off after a wind gust.
Make a regular inspection.
It's critical to have your roof assessed regularly. Make sure you get your roofer to check the roof after significant wind, rain, or snowfall.
Like every other roof, the concrete tiled roofs must be handled with care for several reasons and to assure maximum safety. Due to their natural flexibility to water and moisture penetration caused by snow, wind, and rain, the concrete tiles roofs must be overlaid appropriately with the best construction materials and installed.