Tile Roof - Durable Roofing System for the Classy and Rich

According to real estate experts, a homeowner could increase the value of his or her home by using tile roof, which is a roof that made of cement or fired clay tiles. It seems that many people feel that a house with tile roof is more durable and quite classy. There are actually different kinds of tile roofing materials. The most popular, however, is concrete roof tiles. The first concrete tiles were made in Bavaria in the 19th century when someone used a combination of water, sand, and cement to use as roof tiles. The other type of tile roofing is made of clay, which was popularized in the 20th century in Europe. There is without a doubt that tile roofs are very durable. In fact, there are actually some century-old homes in Europe that still have their original cement or clay tile roofing.

Apart from the appearance and the availability of beautiful colors and architectural styles, many like to have a tile roof because it can last for a very long time, in most cases even during the lifetime of the entire house. Since tile roofing is also fire retardant, many insurance companies even cut premiums for houses with tile roofing. Aside from being resistant to fire, tile roofing is also impervious to high winds and hail. In fact, 125-mph strong winds can already strip off most types of roofing, but concrete and ceramic clay roof tiles can withstand winds with much greater velocity.

But what are the disadvantages of using tile roof? For one, it is expensive compared to other types of roofing materials. If you are planning to convert the roof of your house to tile roofing, you should be prepared to spend a lot more. Since clay or concrete tiles are very heavy, you need trusses and rafters that are strong enough to support the heavy weight.

So how much does a concrete tile roof cost? For standard-grade concrete tiles, the cost can range from $5 to $9 per square foot. If you want something that is more beautiful and durable, deluxe grade concrete tiles cost not less than $7 per square foot. Clay ceramic tiles can be more expensive than concrete tiles. Just for a standard ceramic clay tile, you need to dole out at least $7 to $10. For custom-glazed hues and shapes of premium clay tiles, you must be willing to spend around $10 to $30 per square foot.