There are many choices of roofing materials currently on the market to suit a whole range of properties and budgets. Tiles are a traditional option and have been around in many forms for thousands of years. They have distinct advantages over some of the more modern products such as roofing shingles and even metal roofing materials.

Types and Benefits

Roofing tiles can be produced from various materials such as clay, concrete, ceramics, plastic and slate. All of these are highly durable giving them impressive life expectancies but because of this they will unfortunately come with a higher price tag. Choosing some form of tiles for your roof material will usually mean paying more initially than you would expect to when using other types of roof materials. You are however usually paying for quality and can expect your purchase to prove itself as a wise long term investment. This is due to the low maintenance requirements and high durability roof tiles provide.

One of the major advantages of using tiles as your roofing material is their visual appeal. They have been used for thousands of years not just because of their longevity and all round quality but also because they look good. A house with a roof covered with clay or ceramic tiles certainly looks as though it is a class above properties which use metal roofing material or those which have a flat roof. The range of tiles currently available ensures that any style of property in any location will be well suited to tiles of some kind. You can also now create the effect of having a roof covered with slate or clay tiles without actually using those expensive materials. Concrete roof tiles can be designed to have the appearance of some of these more desirable materials and are also considerably cheaper. All these options are produced from environmentally friendly materials and come with excellent fire ratings.

Tiles are certainly a great alternative to other long lasting roofing options such as metal roofs and also less high quality options like shingles. They tend to look a lot better than metal roofing materials once completed and are far more secure and durable than roofing shingles. If you can afford the initial investment and think of the long term benefits then a traditional tiled roof could add a classic finishing touch to almost any kind of property and prove to be the best roofing material overall.

If you are considering a tiled roof and are thinking about completing the project or a similar one yourself then information about DIY home improvement can be found here. If you are interested in the use of slate then this site details some other uses of the slate tile.

In the modern world of construction there are many different types of roofing materials currently available for both private homes and also commercial and industrial properties. These range from the most basic products which are no more than leaves and plants to modern options such as forms of rubber roofing material which are produced using state of the art technology and also much more traditional types of flat roofing material such as coal tar. The main purpose of a roof is to protect a property from the rain, wind and other elements. As a general rule the pitch of the roof will increase with the typical levels of rainfall in the area where the building is located. This is due to the fact that a steeper pitch will direct water away from the roof more effectively. The roofing material should be chosen with this in mind as each type is generally better suited to roofs pitched at different angles.

Traditional Materials

Some of the more primitive roofing material is still widely used in less economically developed countries around the world. These include banana leaves, bamboo, wheat, straw and sea grass. Many of these materials are surprisingly resilient when installed correctly and can have extraordinarily long lifetimes. Sea grass is said to last well over half a century in some areas. When using these materials to construct a roof the thatching technique is used. Layers are placed on top of each other in a way that diverts water away from the interior of the roof. Although thatching has largely been replaced by more modern techniques in the western world some examples are still seen in rural areas. A limited number of new thatch roofs are still constructed each year usually by a property owner who is choosing thatch for its aesthetic appeal.

Shingles

Shingles are a very common roof material and are often used for residential properties. Shingles are typically separate roofing sheets installed so that they overlap each other. They are produced from many materials including wood, slate, metal, ceramics, concrete and asphalt. Shingles can be very long lasting depending on what they are made from. Ceramic tiles can last a century or more while slate shingles can last twice as long. Slate roofing can still be found in many areas although the market for slate roof material is now small compared to what it was. The cost is just too high in relation to modern roofing material despite its durability. Slate and ceramic tiles represent some of the most expensive varieties of roofing shingles.

Asphalt shingles are a very popular choice for residential property owners and are now often produced from fibreglass. They are cheap and lightweight while still offering lifetimes of up to 50 years. Shingles can be replaced relatively easily when they are no longer proving to be effective. This can be carried out by installing new shingles over the top of the old ones or swapping old for new. The latter is generally recommended as it gives the opportunity to inspect the interiors of the roof for any water damage before installing the new materials. Asphalt products are also very common flat roof materials.

Plastic, Rubber & Metal

Roofing sheets are also produced from membrane which allows them to be joined to form one large continuous sheet. Rubbers such as EPDM or plastics including PVC are often used. These materials bare some resemblance to those used in the production of Rubber Flooring. Modified bitumen asphalt combined with modifiers such as APP or SBS is another common modern option. These products are commonly used as flat roofing materials along with many other less frequently used membranes.

Metal roofing materials have been popular for many years on commercial or industrial properties and are becoming more common in residential buildings. They are generally lightweight and cheap materials that will last a lifetime. The metal used is often galvanised steel that may or may not be corrugated to increase its strength. Steel treated with a substance such as zinc so it will resist corrosion is also popular and can last much longer than the galvanized metal. Metal roofing material is becoming increasingly popular and is usually a sound long term investment due to its all round high quality and the lack of maintenance needed in relation to other products. Metal roof materials are also non combustible which helps towards their excellent safety ratings.

The Right Choice

The roof materials used on a particular property will depend on many factors including the location, weather conditions, the usage of the building and the budget allocated for the installation. It is important to thoroughly research the different options available to you and compare the costs of both initial construction and likely maintenance requirements for the lifetime of the roof. It is generally a good idea to begin research on the types of materials that are already commonly used in the area where your property is located You should be cautious about selecting materials that do not seem to be in use already by other property owners in the area.