Types of Roof Tiles: A Comprehensive Overview

Types of Roof Tiles

There are various types of roof tiles that are available in the market. There are mainly twelve types of roof tiles are available, those are

1. Slate Roof Tile
2. Metal Roof Tile
3. Concrete Roof Tile
4. Composite Roof Tile
5. Solar Roof Tile
6. Clay Roof Tile
7. Synthetic Spanish Barrel Roof Tile
8. Synthetic Slate Roof Tile
9. Synthetic Cedar Roof Tiles
10. Ceramic Tile
11. Porcelain Tile
12. Glass Tile

1. Slate Roof Tile

Slate roof tile is made from natural stone; it provides different and unique colors. This type of roof tile is excellent in fire-resistant. Slate roof tile is very durable & long-lasting.

These tiles are extremely heavy, so you need to construct a reinforced cement structure for support. It’s a very costly construction, and it requires more skillful labors.

2. Metal Roof Tile

Metal roof tile is another type of roof tile. This type of roof tile is mainly made of aluminium, zinc, copper, steel, etc. This type of roof tile is very lightweight and easy to install, so it’s economical, but some of the disadvantages of metal roof tile are-

1. Metals are very noisy
2. Repair of metal is not very easy
3. It does not heat resistive material
4. Rust is the huge problem of metal

3. Concrete Roof Tile

Among all different types of tiles, Concrete Roof tiles are the least expensive material. This type of roof tile is very heavy, so it requires the required structures to carry the heavy loads of the concrete roof tile.

4. Composite Roof Tile

Composite roof tile is made of half natural material and half human-made material. These tiles are very lightweight, and the company gives you warranties & it doesn’t require so many skilled labours.

5. Solar Roof Tile

This type of roof tile is very effective to use. It can produce the electricity for your whole house, and it’s also eco friendly, but the main disadvantage of this tile is the initial cost of that type of roof tile is too high.

6. Clay Roof Tile

Clay roof tile is one of the most popular and ancient product. This type of roof tile is heavy due to its clay load, so it requires extra support, and there is a lot of chances in breaking this tile.

7. Synthetic Spanish Barrel Roof Tile

This type of roof tiles is mainly observed in a Spanish villa last time. This type of roof tile is lightweight, fire-resistant and recyclable also. There are many varieties of colours in this section.

8. Synthetic Slate Roof Tile

This type of roof tile is not good in the winter season; it may be freeze and break. It’s a composite material and eco friendly also.

9. Synthetic Cedar Roof Tiles

These tiles are lightweight and free from the crack, warp, rot, fungal attack etc.

10. Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is one of the most common types of tile. The main purpose where these types of tiles are used that is in the residential building. This type of roof tiles are extremely durable; for that reason, it is used in the room, bathroom, kitchen, entryway of any house, etc.

Ceramic tiles are easy to install and easy to clear; these tiles are also available in different textures. The budget of this type of roof tiles is not so much higher that’s why it’s an economical product.

11. Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tile is another type of commonly used tile. It’s used primarily in outdoors & it’s highly resistive against the freeze, crack or fade. Porcelain tile also available in many different colors, shapes, sizes. The main disadvantage of this type of roof tile is it requires more skillful than others, so it’s costly.

12. Glass Tile

Glass tile is an excellent substitute for natural stone tile. Glass tile is mainly used for decorative purpose, but it’s quite uneconomical. This is mainly used in bathroom, kitchen, etc.

Tile Roof Replacement

There are so many types of replacement or repair techniques are available in the marketplace. Some of them are-

1. Shingles Repair or Replacement
2. Concrete Roof Tile Repair
3. Clay Roof Tile Repair

1. Shingles Repair or Replacement

This type of roofs is required to repair in leakage, crack or curling shingles. It required skilled and experienced labours along with contractors. It’s an expensive repair technique because it requires more skilful labour.

2. Concrete Roof Tile Repair

Naturally, concrete roof tiles don’t require any types of repair because it’s a long-lasting and durable product. If there is a damage in a concrete tile, then it doesn’t require to repair the whole roof, you can just repair that damaged tiles. It also requires skilled labours.

3. Clay Roof Tile Repair

Clay tile is eco-friendly, and sometimes it lasts for many years, but this type of roof tile is very much breaking probability. If there is a small crack in the tile, then you can brush up with the brush on that portion and apply a cement-based sealing solution to repair it.

If there is massive damage in the tile, then you need to replace that tile. This repair or replacement technique is economical.

Tile Installation Cost

1. Tile installation cost is a little bit higher than the other.
2. Roof tile cost in India is near about between nine thousand to eighteenth thousand per hundred square feet.
3. The cost of concrete tile is less whereas the cost of clay tiles is higher.
4. In cement tiles, there are other costs for reinforcement purposes.
5. In additional cost of near about ten to twenty thousand for labor purposes.

Cost to Install Ceramic Tile

1. The main cost of materials for tile fixing is near about thirty to forty rupees per square foot.
2. There is a labor cost for installation, the cost of this is thirty-five to forty per square foot.
3. For installing tile, it requires powdered tile grout, the cost of that product is near about eighty rupees per square foot.
4. The cost of miscellaneous expenses is fifteen to twenty-five rupees per square foot.

Roofing Tile Price

The cost of roof tile depends upon the material price, availability, demand, etc. Here is the chart of the roof tile price-

Ceramic Tile Price Per Square Foot

1. There are various types of tiles that are available in the market, but ceramic tiles are one of the most popular titles which are used widely.
2. Price of ceramic tiles are not the same, some of them are cheap, and some of them are a little bit expensive.
3. The price of low budget ceramic tiles are near about 32 rupees per square foot, and the average price tiles are 183-220 rupees per square foot.
4. The installation cost of ceramic tiles is near about 120-150 rupees per square foot. The installation cost depends on labour availability, skills of labours, labour required per work, etc.

Tile Installation Factors

There are several factors which are affecting the tile installation. Tile installation factors mainly depend on the materials. Those factors are-

1. Grading and Brand
2. Sales tax, shipping and delivery charges
3. Type of the tile or grade of the tile
4. Additional materials for installation and supply
5. Installation charges

FAQs about Roof Tiles

What are the most durable roof tiles?

Concrete tiles and clay tiles are considered among the most durable due to their longevity and resistance to weather and wear.

Which roof tiles are the most economical?

Concrete tiles are generally more economical compared to slate or solar roof tiles, which tend to be more expensive.

Are metal roof tiles noisy?

Yes, metal roof tiles can be noisy during rain or hailstorms due to the material’s properties.

What are the advantages of solar roof tiles?

Solar roof tiles can generate electricity for your home, reducing energy bills and offering an eco-friendly solution. However, they have a higher initial cost.

How do you repair clay roof tiles?

Small cracks in clay tiles can often be patched with a cement-based sealing solution. Larger damages may require replacing the tile altogether.

What factors affect tile installation costs?

Tile installation costs can vary based on the material, labor rates, additional materials required, and the complexity of the installation.

Are ceramic tiles suitable for roofs?

Yes, ceramic tiles are commonly used for roofs due to their durability and variety of designs. They are suitable for residential and some commercial applications.

What is the average lifespan of roof tiles?

The lifespan varies by material. Concrete and clay tiles can last 50 years or more, while slate tiles can exceed 100 years with proper maintenance.

How do you choose the right roof tile for your home?

Consider factors such as durability, cost, aesthetics, climate suitability, and maintenance requirements when selecting roof tiles.

Are there eco-friendly options for roof tiles?

Yes, options like solar roof tiles, clay tiles, and some synthetic tiles are considered eco-friendly due to their sustainable materials or energy-saving properties.