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Are Clay Tiles The Right Choice For Your Georgia Roof Replacement?. As we discussed in our most recent article, asphalt shingles are the most commonly used type of material during roof replacements in Georgia. Considering that they’re the cheapest roofing option while still offering a couple of decades of service, it’s no wonder that our roofing company installs more asphalt roofs than any other kind.
Asphalt shingles might be the most commonly used type of roofing material used in Georgia (and, indeed, the entire United States), but there’s another material that’s used in more places across the world: tiles. Clay tiles offer many advantages over a typical asphalt shingle roof, so let’s talk about why they may — or may not — be right for you.
What Are Roof Tiles Made Of?
Clay tiles are made from terracotta clay and have been used for thousands of years. Because clay is found just about everywhere on Earth, most civilizations have used it at some time during their history. The primary difference in tile has been the shape of tile; some are flat, some are curved, some are S-shaped.
Tiles remain popular for the many reasons we’ll discuss below. While the most popular types of tiles have been clay and slate, tiles of today can also be made from plastic and concrete.
Positives and Negatives
There are many advantages to clay tile roof installation, and, admittedly, a few negative aspects that are important to know about. Let’s take a closer look at how a new roof made from tiles can improve your home.
Advantages of Clay Tile Roofs
The advantages of using clay tiles during roof replacement make them an attractive option for many people. Let’s take a look at why they’re becoming such a popular option in both Dahlonega and around the country.
Clay Tile Roofs Last a Long Time
Clay tiles last a long time. So long, in fact, that the chances of you having to replace the roof during your lifetime are pretty small. If you put a clay roof on tomorrow, they will last for 75 years or more. They won’t fall apart as asphalt shingles will, and they aren’t susceptible to insect damage like shake roofing.
But what good is having such a nice roof installed if you ever decide to move? Well…
It’s A Selling Point
If you decide to sell your Georgia home with clay tiles on it, you’re definitely going to be able to use the fact that it has clay tiles as a selling point. Both potential buyers and house inspectors are going to take a look at your roof, and being able to say “it’s a 100-year roof with only 20 years on it” can be an excellent aspect to focus on when marketing your home.
They’re Made From All-Natural Materials
Clay is an all-natural material, so it’s considered environmentally friendly. This makes clay tile roofs an excellent alternative to asphalt shingles, which are made from petroleum.
They Hold Up Well In Weather
Clay roofing is an excellent way to protect your home from the elements. Not only are they impervious to rain, but they’re so heavy that they aren’t blown off by heavy winds like shingles can be.
Are clay tile completely impervious to hail damages? While extremely large hail has been known to crack clay tiles, it’s rare. Tiles hold up better than typical shingles do, and much better than worn and aged shingles.
They Are Fireproof
While all roofs have some sort of fire retardant applied (asphalt shingles are made from a form of oil, after all), the stone-like nature of clay makes them naturally fireproof. While flaming ash from a neighbor’s house fire might pose a danger to a shingle roof, there’s nothing to worry about if you choose clay roof installation.
Clay Tiles Offer Excellent Insulation
Traditional asphalt shingles are often black, which absorb heat in winter and can help warm a house. But they’re also very thin, which means they’re not trapping the heat — either the heat they absorb or the heat that’s coming from the HVAC — very well.
That’s where clay tiles shine. They are excellent insulation for any heating or cooling that your HVAC might provide, and that cuts down on your utility bills.
They Are Beautiful and Classy
Let’s be honest, clay roofs simply look very good. They give many types of homes, from Mediterranean to modern, a very classy look. It’s not only the longevity that draws people to a house when it’s sold but the fancy look that gives a house a much more elegant look.
They Retain Their Beauty
One of the nice aspects that people often forget about when discussing clay tile roofs is that they keep their beauty long-term. If you’ve ever looked at 20-year-old asphalt shingles, it’s easy to tell that they’re falling apart as they lose their surface granules and curl up. Clay roofs look nearly as good after 50 years as when you had them installed.
Disadvantages of Clay Tile Roofs
If clay tile was the perfect choice in every way, they’d be on every roof! But there are a few disadvantages that someone considering new roof installation should be aware of.
Clay Tiles Are More Expensive
No doubt about it, clay tiles are more expensive than standard roofing options like traditional shingles.
We can’t really tell you the roof replacement cost of a clay tile roof in a blog. Many factors, including the size of the roof and roof complexity, will play a part in how much money you’ll be spending. What we can do is offer you more information and a quote. Click here to get the process started.
They Require Specialized Installation and Repair
While clay tiles are becoming more popular in Dahlonega, they certainly aren’t as common as other types of roofing. Clay roofs are not easy to work with, and roofers who install them need specialized training. Clay roof installation also takes longer than regular roof replacement.
That’s true of clay roof repair as well. It takes a specialist to know how to walk on a tile roof; while they’re long-lasting, they can also be damaged by walking on them improperly. The good thing is that clay tiles age so well that the new and the old tiles look the same!
Clay Tiles Need More Roof Support
Clay tile roofs are heavy. While that’s a good thing when it comes to them being insulators, it can cause problems when it comes to the weight it’s placing on the roof of the house.
If you are replacing one clay tile roof with another, the roof was obviously able to handle those other tiles and was probably built with clay tiles in mind. But if you have always had a lightweight roof (asphalt shingles, metal, shake) and you want to switch to clay tile, it’s very likely that you’ll need to reinforce your existing rafters in order to handle the additional weight.
Ready To Get Your New Roof On?
No matter the kind of roof you’re looking for, Roofing Resources of Georgia is ready to help. Contact us today with any questions you may have!