Tile Roof Installation
Tile roofing installations are among the most iconic and durable systems available to historic, commercial, and institutional property owners.
The eye-catching beauty and ability to withstand inclement weather make a commercial tile roof a cost-effective solution that improves market values.
But like any type of construction, a tile roofing installation possesses a set life expectancy and catastrophic weather events can cause a leaking roof.
If you are considering the installation of a new tile roof on your commercial property, you have landed in the right place.
What is a Tile Roof?
Tile roofing systems inspire a sense of old-world romance and adventure.
Often part of the architectural landscape across the American Southwest and Mediterranean, the historic tile roof has become something of an international tourism attraction.
The multi-colored glazed tile roofs in Burgundy, France, and red ones in Dubrovnik, Croatia, rank among the world’s most awe-inspiring.
Property owners across the U.S. don’t always realize they can enlist the help of a diligent tile roof installation contractor to enhance their building and raise its property value.
A tile roofing installation involves overlapping attractive and durable materials that accentuate the overall structure.
Experienced tile roof installers fasten these materials to the roof deck, beginning at the soffit, as they work their way to the peak.
It’s important for property owners to understand that a tile roof installation requires specialized skills. These are commercial tile roofing options an experienced contractor offers.
Clay Tile Roof Installation
Made by baking molded clay at high temperatures, these roof tile products are considered environmentally sustainable materials.
The most common clay roof tiles are made from Terra-cotta and remain popular in Latin America, as well as the American Southwest.
However, roof tile color options can include yellow, orange, white, and brown, depending on how long they are baked.
Because commercial tile roofing products are created at extreme temperatures, they generally will not fade or peel.
This makes clay tile roofing systems durable and able to withstand the intense heat experienced across the South and Southwest.
When You Need Tile Roof Installation
Depending on the type of materials, maintenance, and diligence employed by a tile roof installation contractor, a system can last for 50 to more than 100 years.
Commercial property owners typically increase real estate values with a tile roof installation while protecting the structural elements and contents from water damage.
That makes a tile roof installation an excellent investment.
But inadequately maintained buildings or a historic tile roof that has exceeded its life expectancy may require maintenance or repair.
And those that are badly damaged following severe and catastrophic weather events may require tile roof replacement.
If your community recently suffered an intense weather incident, it’s important to schedule a roof inspection and work with a tile roof installation services firm regarding critical next steps.
Tile Roof Installation After Hail Damage
A tile roofing system resists the effects of severe weather. But when a storm drops ice chunks on commercial buildings, some level of tile roof hail damage is to be expected.
Hailstone strikes the size of quarters typically result in minor dents to metal roof tiles.
But when a hailstone the size of a baseball plummeting at high speed makes an impact, the damage is usually extensive.
A historic tile roof might see copper trim and copper flashings shift, allowing moisture to penetrate and cause water damage.
The copper nails used to secure a tile roof on church steeples can become loose as slate or Terra-cotta materials move in place.
And the storm damage after a major hailstone incident occurs is obvious when cracks in tile roof materials appear.
Determining whether you need repair of a tile roof replacement involves strict scrutiny of the roof deck, load-bearing beams, and cost analysis.
Tile Roof Installation After Wind Damage
A tile roof installation stands up to high winds better than many other systems. In terms of routine storms and average gusts, tile roof wind damage is unlikely to occur.
But higher-than-normal wind events put an inordinate amount of stress on residential, agricultural, and commercial structures.
Winds that reach speeds of 50 to 60 mph may not qualify as a named storm.
But that level of intensity tears up metal panels, pelt roof tiles with debris, and inflict wide-reaching tile roof wind damage.
The value of an inspection following a high-wind storm to identify difficult-to-detect tile roof wind damage cannot be understated.
Roof Deck Rotting Under Tile
Tile Roof Installation After Hurricane Damage
Hurricane roof damage can be quite obvious in many cases. When winds exceed 74 mph during a Category 1 storm, shingles are torn, flying debris causes cracks in tile roof materials, and even siding requires repair or replacement.
When a Category 2 storm hits a region with winds over 100 mph, restoration and tile roof replacement services are usually a necessity.
Even if it appears your commercial tile roofing system survived the hurricane, consider a timely inspection to ensure you don’t have a leaking roof.
Tile Roof Installation FAQs
How long do roof tiles last?
Aside from devastating hailstone or tile roof wind damage, the system generally lasts more than 50 years. Metal and cement can be expected to surpass this mark when adequately maintained. Clay roof tiles easily reach the half-century mark in many cases and stone lasts indefinitely. These estimates are based on ongoing maintenance and care.
Can you walk on a tile roof?
The short answer is: You Don’t. Only a trained tile roof contractor has the skills needed to walk on these sometimes slippery sloped roofs. The overlapping roof tiles can break under the weight of a person. If you absolutely must walk on the tile roof, employ all possible safety measures and stick to the peak.
Can you paint roof tiles?
Some tile roofing materials can be painted. Others are glazed during the manufacturing process and may be prone to chipping and peeling. If you want to change the color of an existing roof, a tile roof installation provider can provide the best options.
Can you tile a flat roof?
The short answer is: No. A tile roof installation uses gravity and gutters to prevent water from pooling. Flat roofs utilize different materials and water removal systems to protect a structure.
What are roofing tiles made of?
Can you replace a shingle roof with a tile roof?
The short answer is: Yes. In fact, a tile roof replacement would be considered an upgrade in terms of durability and would likely improve the building’s real estate value. It’s crucial to work with expert tile roof installers who understand how to properly support the increased weight of materials such as slate, clay, or composites.