Researching Concrete Tile Roofing Installation in North Huntingdon Pennsylvania?
The crew at The Roofing Company can describe how clay and concrete behave in cold country, and what to check before you commit
Reach us at 412-858-8858 and we will go over the details
A Heavy, Handsome Roof in Cold Country, Then Style
Tile is far less common than asphalt shingle around Pittsburgh, and it asks more of a house than most coverings do; a roofer should be willing to say if it is not.
Clay and concrete share a look, though they differ in weight, in how they absorb water and in how they age; clay is usually the denser and more color-stable of the two.
The first step in Concrete Tile Roofing Installation is learning what the rafters, the deck and the walls can support; a structural opinion may be needed on an older house.
Weight, Framing and Snow Load: the Question Under the Tiles
Many older houses were framed for something lighter, and tile adds a great deal of weight to the same rafters; the load of a heavy snow adds to the load of the tile.
Wet snow is heavy, and on a tile roof it lands on a surface that already carries a lot; a steeper slope sheds snow more readily.
Nothing about Concrete Tile Roofing Installation makes sense until someone has checked what the structure can carry; ask the roofer to explain what they saw in the attic.
Frost, Moisture and Cracking: Why Cold Country Is Hard on Tile
Moisture that gets into clay or concrete freezes and thaws all winter here, and every cycle stresses the tile; stock made for cold country is dense and absorbs little water.
Quality matters a great deal in tile, since two tiles that look alike can behave very differently in frost; samples of the product can be asked for.
Choosing the product for Concrete Tile Roofing Installation is the biggest decision after the framing; do not accept a vague answer.
Water Barrier, Battens and Nails: What the Tile Rests On
Water that gets under tile has to be stopped by the membrane below, which is why the underlayment is so important; ask what product goes under yours.
Tiles are hung on battens or fastened by nails, screws or clips, and the method has to hold against wind and the pull of gravity; tiles near the edges are the first to lift.
- Wall intersections should be shown on the plan.
- The battens that carry the tile should get a plain explanation.
Any bid for Concrete Tile Roofing Installation should list what goes under the tile as clearly as it names the tile itself; the roofer's answers should be specific.
Matching the Tile to the Street, and How to Choose
A flat tile has a slim, tailored look, while a barrel or curved profile casts deeper shadows and a bolder line; a few samples on the lawn tell you a lot.
Terracotta reds and slate grays are popular choices, and tile can be blended for a mixed look; hold a sample against the siding on a sunny day and a gray one.
The look is a big part of why people choose Concrete Tile Roofing Installation, and the profile and color should suit the whole building; drive past houses with tile and note what appeals.
Choosing Among Roofing Materials, Side by Side
Next to shingle, tile is heavy, though some natural slate is heavier, so the house may already be built for something like it; metal sheds snow faster than any of them.
A tile roof is a long-term choice, and a house that will stay in the family is a good candidate for it; ask what upkeep it needs.
Judging Concrete Tile Roofing Installation properly means comparing it with the other roofing choices for the same house; ask what they would pick for a shaded, snowy slope.
Keeping Tile Whole After It Is On: Small Fixes, Big Savings
Tile is strong in compression but can crack if someone steps in the wrong place, so only trained people should walk on it; a prompt repair keeps the underlayment dry.
Snow sliding off tile can break tiles below or fall on whatever is under the eaves, so snow guards are worth thinking about; a roofer should look at the eave detail and the gutters.
After the job, Concrete Tile Roofing Installation needs little more than debris clearing, crack checks and a watch on the flashing; avoid pressure washing, which can damage the surface.
A Typical Sequence for Tile: a Plain Account
After tear-off the deck is inspected, damaged boards are replaced and protection for plants and walkways goes in; the underlayment and flashing go on before any tile.
The crew lays tile row by row from the bottom, cutting pieces for corners and edges and setting each one with the right fasteners; caps at the ridges and hips are set last and are secured firmly.
Matching Old Tile and Odd Corners, Piece by Piece
Matching a new tile to an old one is hard, since colors and profiles change from batch to batch and from maker to maker; an exact match may not exist, so plan the blend.
Before you decide on Concrete Tile Roofing Installation, make a list of the porches, dormers and small roofs that touch the main one; a drawing of the roof plan helps everyone.
What to Ask Before You Sign: Worth Writing Down
- Have you looked at the rafters in the attic, and how do you know?
- Who makes it and where has it been used in cold weather, and are spares included?
- What flashing goes around the chimney and valleys, and how is it detailed?
Start the Conversation: We Can Help
Choosing tile is a decision for the long run, so it pays to ask about structure, frost and fasteners at the start; bring your questions and any photographs of the house.
Dial 412-858-8858 and tell us what you have in mind for Concrete Tile Roofing Installation; bring your questions and we will go through them.
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