Common in the western parts of the United States, in coastal and hurricane-prone areas, and even in numerous locations across the globe, clay tile roofing has been around for a while. Nevertheless, a lot of homeowners do not know a lot about this form of roofing. Here is a look at some of the more common questions homeowners tend to have about clay tile roofing and the answers you should know.
How does tile roofing do in high winds?
One of the superior attributes of tile roofing is its ability to withstand high winds. In fact, some tile roofing is capable of handling up to 150 mph wind gusts, which is why the roofing is popular in areas that are prone to hurricane-force winds. Roofers often recommend tile roofing in areas where heavy wind gusts can be an issue, even in areas that are not necessarily prone to hurricanes. For example, this form of roofing is popular in homes across the midwest because of its wind resiliency.
Is tile roofing a good option for an older home?
If your home was not initially built with a tile roof, some accommodations may have to be made so the house can structurally support the weight of the tile. As you can imagine, clay tile is much heavier than something like asphalt shingles and definitely much heftier than metal panels, which are common on older houses. Structural reinforcement can involve adding new cross beams to the trusses and support trusses where space is available. A well-skilled roofer can perform the work, but it can be more costly than what older homeowners are often willing to put into the tile roofing addition.
Does tile roofing get porous with age?
Tile roofing does really well as it gets older, even though it is a common misconception that the roofing grows porous and has issues with leaks. A little-known fact about tile roofing is you are pretty much getting two layers of roofing with the installation: a heavy-duty substrate material goes beneath the tile, and then the tile is installed. Therefore, even if the tile were to grow brittle or porous with age, it would be unlikely that you would have issues with water leaks because of the protective substrate material. Further, some of the oldest buildings have clay tile roofing on them that has been in place for many years and is still protecting the building.