Thinking Through Clay Tile Roofing Installation for an older home in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania?
The team at The Roofing Company can describe how clay and concrete behave in cold country, and what the roof needs once it is up
Reach us at 412-858-8858 to talk through tile for your roof
Why Tile Takes More Thought: Looking Before Leaping
Tile is far less common than asphalt shingle around Pittsburgh, and it asks more of a house than most coverings do; the answers decide whether tile is a good fit.
Concrete tile is molded from cement, sand and pigment, and it comes in many shapes and colors; concrete is usually the heavier and the more varied in style.
Any serious plan for Clay Tile Roofing Installation starts with a look at the structure under the roof; a clear answer on the structure is worth having before you fall for a profile.
Can the House Carry Tile, Before Anything Is Ordered
Tile is many times heavier than asphalt shingle, so the structure beneath it has to be sound and strong; sagging, cracked or undersized rafters are a warning sign.
A deep layer of dense Pittsburgh snow adds real load to a roof that is already heavy with tile; a shaded valley holds it longer.
The weight question is the first test of Clay Tile Roofing Installation on any house, old or new; get it in writing if the house is old.
Freeze, Thaw and Water Absorption, and What to Ask
A little water soaks into any tile, and if 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.
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.
When Clay Tile Roofing Installation is planned for this climate, the first product question is how the tile handles freezing; ask what happens if a tile cracks and how it is replaced.
What Goes Under the Tile: 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; ridgelines and hilltops take the strongest wind.
- Eaves and valleys take handwork and patience from the crew.
- The underlayment beneath the tile should get a plain explanation.
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.
Profiles, Colors and the Look of the House: Seeing It in Daylight
A flat tile looks slim and tailored, while a barrel profile throws deeper shadows and a bolder line; match the profile to the style of the house.
Color should be judged in daylight against the brick, the trim and the street, not under shop lighting; hold a sample against the siding on a sunny day and a gray one.
Looks are a big part of why people choose Clay Tile Roofing Installation, so the profile and color should fit the whole building; drive past houses with tile and note what appeals.
Tile or Something Lighter: Pros, Cons and Trade-Offs
Slate is the classic roof of older Pittsburgh houses, and tile offers a similar weight and permanence in a wider range of styles; asphalt is lighter, goes on faster and is simpler to repair.
A tile roof is a long-term choice, and a house that will stay in the family is a good candidate for it; compare lifetimes as well as the first outlay.
A fair look at Clay Tile Roofing Installation sets it beside slate, metal and shingle on weight, upkeep and fit; a balanced answer is a sign of a thoughtful roofer.
Looking After a Tile Roof: Care and Repair
Tile is strong in compression but can crack if someone steps in the wrong place, so only trained people should walk on it; a broken tile can be lifted and replaced without disturbing the others.
Entrances and walkways need protection from sliding snow, and snow guards for tile are worth discussing; a wide overhang takes the brunt of a slide.
Care for Clay Tile Roofing Installation after it is finished is simple, and a careful roofer should be willing to describe it; keep photographs of the roof in a safe place.
How a Tile Installation Goes: Start to Finish
Prep for a tile roof takes longer than for shingle, because the deck and the structure matter so much; every step is planned to avoid overloading one area.
The crew lays tile row by row from the bottom, cutting pieces for corners and edges and setting each one with the right fasteners; metal flashing is closed up at the chimneys and walls to match.
Partial Jobs and Mixed Rooflines: What Gets Complicated
Existing tile can sometimes be lifted, kept and re-laid, which is worth asking about before the old roof goes to the dump; a roofer should tell you early what can and cannot be matched.
Comparing proposals for Clay Tile Roofing Installation is easier when each one covers the small roofs as well as the big ones; walk the property with the crew and point out each junction.
What to Ask Before You Sign, and What Good Answers Sound Like
- What did you find when you looked at my roof, and can I see it?
- Can I see a data sheet for the tile you suggest, and what does the maker say?
- How will you handle snow sliding off the eaves, and what is the next step?
Start the Conversation, and Get Started
Choosing tile is a decision for the long run, so it pays to ask about structure, frost and fasteners at the start; a short conversation will tell you if tile suits the building.
Reach us at 412-858-8858 to start a conversation about Clay Tile Roofing Installation for your house; tell us about the age and framing of the house.
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