Shingle roofs keep the rain out and add color to your home. However, roof tiles offer a wide range of impossible options with asphalt shingles.

Types of Roof Tiles

Roof tiles can be a great way of personalizing a home. However, they come in various prices, materials, weights, and looks. Below, we have broken down 9 of the most popular roof tiles to help you understand what makes each one different.

 

Slate Roof Tiles

Slate is a natural rock with a beautiful, unique appearance. Slate can be dyed in dramatic colors only Mother Nature and time can create. Slate is also fire-resistant and durable. This is one of the most elegant roofing materials. Slate is hefty and will require the structure to be strengthened to support it. It can also be tough to install and handle, making repairs an issue.

 

Metal Roof Tiles

Copper, aluminum, zinc, and steel are the most popular metal roofing tiles. Steel and aluminum are the most common of these materials. Metal tiles can be made in various shapes and patterns to mimic products like barrel tiles (Spanish roofs), slate tiles, wood shake tiles, and regular shingle patterns. Metal roof tiles are trendy because of their lightweight and ease of installation. However, there are some drawbacks to them.

 

• Metal is loud (some people like it, others don't).
• Metal dents easily, making repairs difficult.
• When metal is wet, it can be hazardous to walk on.
• Metal conducts outside temperature and doesn't provide insulation.

 

Concrete Roof Tiles

Concrete was first developed in Bavaria in the middle 19th century. The essential components of concrete were easy to find and affordable. Concrete roof tiles are now one of the most affordable options for roof tiles. 

Although these early tiles were hand-made, modern production techniques have allowed concrete to become much more affordable. Concrete tiles look similar to clay, wood shakes, or slate tiles. Concrete roofs are very heavy, so it is essential to have a strong roof structure.

 

 It is also important to have experienced roofing crews familiar with the procedures and tools required for properly installing concrete roof tiles. They need the same care as clay.

 

Composite Roof Tiles

Composite slate roofing tiles are made from natural and man-made materials and offer many advantages over concrete, natural stone, clay, metal, and wood tiles. These tiles can replicate the appearance of any tile roof product and offer custom color combinations. They are lighter and can usually be installed by the most skilled Rochester tile roofing contractors.

 

Solar Roof Tiles

Solar roof tiles replace your standard roofing material with electricity-producing tiles that tie into a battery assembly inside your home and draw power naturally from the Sun. A solar roof can make a significant impact on your electricity bill if there are enough tiles. 

 

Although there are many styles to choose from, most people care more about their performance than their aesthetic appeal. Solar roof tiles are expensive and require exceptional professionals for installation, maintenance, and repair. 

 

Solar tiles are an excellent option for the forward-thinking customer who wants to be environmentally conscious when choosing construction materials and practices.

Clay Roof Tiles

The history of clay roof tiles is long. Why? Because the base material was always easily accessible. The tiles were hand-shaped and then sun-dried before being used for the roof.

 

 The process is mostly automated, but the final product is still as beautiful. We are all familiar with clay roofs in the form of flat tiles or barrel tiles. They are available in many colors and have a waterproof coating to resist water absorption. 

Clay tiles can be hefty and break easily if not correctly installed. A roof with clay tiles, like concrete or slate, will require substantial reinforcement to support its extra weight.

 

Synthetic Spanish Barrel Roof Tiles

Brava tiles have the same timeless beauty as a Spanish Villa, but without the additional cost of strengthening your entire roof. Synthetic tiles can be recycled, are fire-resistant and come in almost unlimited color options. They don't need the same maintenance as clay roof tiles.

 

Synthetic Slate Roof Tiles

Composite or synthetic slate roof tiles can look just like natural slate tiles. However, they are lighter and more challenging to replace than broken tiles. Regular maintenance includes checking your gutters for any water backing up that could cause damage and freeze of the slate. 

 

Brava Synthetic slate tiles have a Class 4 impact rating. They can also be made in unlimited color options. They are lightweight and made from environmentally-friendly composite material.

 

Synthetic Cedar Roof Tiles

Brava cedar shake roofing tile is a better alternative to natural cedar shakes. It is made from a composite material and won't crack, split or rot like natural cedar shakes. They also don't attract fungus as they don’t hold water.

 

 These shingles are lightweight and easy to put up. Roofing companies in Rochester have a Class A, Class C or Class D fire rating and a class 4 impact rating. Your cedar shake roof will look great for many years in various colors.