Tile roofing adds beauty and personality to your home, imbuing it with a timeless, Old World feel. Many tile roofs are warrantied to last 50 years or more, making a tile roof not only a cost-effective investment, but an eco-friendly roofing choice as well. If you are considering installing a tile roof on your Fairfax home, contact your roofing contractor to find out more details about your options.
Tile Options
There are a variety of tile products available for use in residential roofing. Most tiles are well-suited for all types of climates, including those that experience cold winters. There are three major types of roofing tiles: clay, slate, and concrete. Clay tiles are created by firing clay in a kiln; these tiles can be quite heavy and brittle, but are extremely fire resistant and will likely outlast many of the other materials in your home. Clay tiles can be used on roofs with a moderate to steep pitch. Slate tiles are cut from natural rock, offering a slightly varied appearance. These tiles are also heavy, but offer great resistance to weather and fire. Slate tiles are best suited for steeply-sloped roofs. Concrete tiles are ideal for moderate- and steeply-sloped roofs; they can be manufactured to look like other types of tiles or even other roofing materials, such as wood shake shingles. These tiles offer excellent fire resistance, but can be vulnerable to wind.
Tile Installation
Because tile roofing is heavier than other roofing materials, a home not originally designed to support a tile roof may require structural enhancement before tiles can be installed. During your initial roofing consultation, your roofing contractor will evaluate your home and determine whether it can support the weight of your new roof unaided. If your roof will need additional support, keep in mind that this will add to the overall cost of installation—however, tile roofing can also add resale value to your home, offsetting the price of your roof over its lifetime.
Tile Maintenance
Although your tile roof is extremely durable, it will still require regular maintenance and upkeep to look and perform its best. Cut back large trees so they don’t hang over your roof, as debris from branches can become caught between your tiles, prompting water retention. Although mold will not grow on tiles, it can take root between them and spread to other sections of your roof. Pressure washing your roof once a year, either on your own or by hiring a professional, is the best way to keep debris to a minimum and prevent mold growth. If you spot broken tiles, contact your roofer to have them repaired—don’t try repairing or replacing tiles on your own, as you could damage adjacent tiles by walking on them without proper training. You should also keep an eye on the metal flashing around your chimney and eaves—this metal flashing helps to protect your roof from moisture, and should be repaired by your roofer if it appears damaged, detached, or missing. Finally, make sure to schedule a yearly roofing inspection to have a professional evaluate your roof. Some issues can be difficult to see from the ground, but are always easier to address when they are small, rather than after significant damage has been allowed to accumulate.
Whether you’d like to install a tile, wood, metal, or asphalt roof in Fairfax, our roofing contractors can help you with this process from start to finish. Take a look through our website for more information about the roofing products and services we offer, or contact us online to request an estimate.
Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved |