Researching Clay Tile Roofing Installation for your roof in Murrysville Pennsylvania?
The crew at The Roofing Company can show how tile is laid, fastened and finished, and where tile makes sense here
Call 412-858-8858 and we will go over the details
Tile Is a Special Case Here: Facts First
Tile is far less common than asphalt shingle around Pittsburgh, and it asks more of a house than most coverings do; start with whether the framing can carry the weight.
Clay tile is baked from natural earth and keeps its color for a very long time; clay is usually the denser and more color-stable of the two.
Any serious plan for Clay Tile Roofing Installation starts with a look at the structure under the roof; a roofer should look from the attic as well as from the yard.
Loads Overhead in a Snow Belt, From Attic to Wall
Tile weighs several times as much as asphalt shingles, so the roof structure has to be sound and strong enough; a house built for slate may already be strong enough.
Snow on a tile roof is heavy and wet, and it sits on a surface that is already carrying a lot of weight; a shaded valley holds it longer.
Your plan for Clay Tile Roofing Installation should state what was looked at and what it showed; ask the roofer to explain what they saw in the attic.
Water Inside the Clay or Concrete, Season After Season
Clay and concrete soak up a little water, and when that water freezes inside the tile it expands and can crack the surface; a roofer should be able to tell you what the tile is rated for.
The tile you choose should be made for repeated freezing, and the maker should say so in writing; skipping this step is the most common mistake.
When Clay Tile Roofing Installation is planned for this climate, the first product question is how the tile handles freezing; a few spare tiles should be set aside for repairs.
Underlayment, Battens and Fasteners: What the Tile Rests On
Tile sheds water but does not seal the roof, so the underlayment below it does the waterproofing; a thin felt can break down long before the tile does.
A fastener schedule sets how many nails or clips each tile gets, and more are needed at eaves, ridges and edges; tiles near the edges are the first to lift.
- Eaves and valleys need metal flashing that suits tile and is cut and bent to fit.
- The battens that carry the tile should be named on the proposal.
Most of the real work in Clay Tile Roofing Installation is hidden beneath the tile, where nobody looks once the job is done; a proposal that only names the tile leaves out the real work.
What Tile Looks Like on a House, and How to Choose
Tile comes in flat, curved and interlocking profiles, and the shape changes how the roof looks and how water moves across it; a few samples on the lawn tell you a lot.
Clay holds a natural color through the years, while concrete gets its color from pigment and finishes that can fade; wet tile looks darker than dry tile.
A house that suits tile gives Clay Tile Roofing Installation a handsome result that few other coverings match; a profile that looks right on one house may not on yours.
Slate, Shingle or Tile: Pros, Cons and Trade-Offs
Compared with slate, tile is easier to source in many styles, though it is still heavy; asphalt is lighter, goes on faster and is simpler to repair.
Tile asks for more up-front planning than shingles, and the reward is a long-lived surface that needs little upkeep; compare lifetimes as well as the first outlay.
Any honest discussion of Clay Tile Roofing Installation includes the cases where another material would suit the house better; decide with the whole picture in front of you.
Cracked Tiles and How to Handle Them, Season by Season
Walking on tile breaks it easily, especially when it is cold and brittle, and a cracked tile is a leak waiting to happen; a broken tile can be lifted and replaced without disturbing the others.
Snow can slide off tile in slabs, breaking tiles below it or landing on whatever sits under the eaves; a wide overhang takes the brunt of a slide.
After the job, Clay Tile Roofing Installation needs little more than debris clearing, crack checks and a watch on the flashing; clear leaves from valleys and gutters each fall.
The Order of Work on a Tile Roof: Start to Finish
The old roof comes off first, then the deck is checked and repaired, and the crew sets up to handle heavy material; tile is delivered by truck and lifted to the roof by conveyor or crane.
Starting at the eaves and working to the ridge, each course is checked for line and lap before the next goes on; caps at the ridges and hips are set last and are secured firmly.
Porches, Dormers and Older Tile: What Gets Complicated
Where tile ends against a lower roof or a wall, the metal work has to carry water from one surface to the next without a gap; salvaged tile can be used to repair the most visible slope.
Any plan for Clay Tile Roofing Installation on an older home should say how the odd spots will be handled; the small roofs often hold the most risk of leaks.
A Short List for Tile, Before Anything Is Ordered
- Does the house need reinforcement before tile goes on, and can I see it?
- What happens when a tile cracks, and are spares included?
- Which fasteners will you use and how many per tile, and what is the schedule?
When You Are Ready to Talk: We Can Help
Tile rewards a careful start, and the quality of the planning shows in the roof for decades; the next step is simple.
Call 412-858-8858 to talk about Clay Tile Roofing Installation in Murrysville Pennsylvania; bring your questions and we will go through them.
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