The UK’s four most popular types of roof tile
Unless you own one of the 60 000 plus homes in the UK that are thatched, your home will have a roof made of a tough weatherproof material like one of the UK’s four most popular types of roof tile.
Clay has been used for roof tiles for thousands of years, and the first recorded use of slate for a roof was in Wales in the fourteenth century. But now, some newer kids are on the roofing block, which may be more suitable for your property than others.
Whatever the material used, Improve a Roof’s cleaning and inspection services will help prolong your roof’s life and keep it looking good.
Slate roof tiles
Slate roofs are aesthetically pleasing and often the first choice for prestigious properties. A good slate roof is expensive to install but can be a good investment as it will add value to your property.
Slate is highly durable and resists rain, snow, extreme heat and fire. A slate roof is a low-maintenance choice as the density of the slate doesn’t hold water, which makes it difficult for lichen and moss to grow.
This naturally beautiful material can last hundreds of years and outlast many of the buildings it protects. It is environmentally friendly as it can be recycled and used on new buildings.
Although very strong, slate tiles can crack under pressure and broken tiles should be replaced to avoid leaks.
Our roof inspection service will keep your slate roof looking beautiful while keeping it clear of environmental debris and checking for cracked tiles.
Clay Roof Tiles
Concrete roof tiles are another environmentally friendly choice as they are simple to make from a natural raw material. Like slate, they are heavy and need a robust roof structure to support them. Clay tiles are durable, potentially lasting around 50 years, and highly temperature resistant. They are a popular choice as they can be created in many shades and patterns.
Clay tiles are more prone to wind damage than other roofing tiles and need checking annually for loose or cracked tiles. The clay does not absorb water but can be prone to developing algae as water can be captured on its surface. Our roof-washing service will keep your roof clean, discouraging algal growth.
Metal Roof tiles
Metal tiles are a recent innovation in the roofing industry.
Valued for their durability, metal tiles give a modern aesthetic that can be appealing on new residential and commercial properties. They are light, easy to install, and resistant to cracking.
If you prefer a more traditional look, coated versions are available that replicate the look of slate or clay.
Metal roofs can be costly, sometimes costing up to three times as much as slate or clay. They can be surprisingly noisy in heavy downpours, and a high level of soundproof insulation may be required to reduce this noise to an acceptable level.
It is crucial to present water accumulation on a metal roof. Nooks and crannies that gather water may be problematic on poorly fitted metal roofs. The water may cause rust and gradual deterioration of the metal and surrounding materials.
Our roof inspection service can keep an eye on your roof and spot any issues before they become an expensive problem.
Plastic Roof Tiles
Plastic roof tiles are relatively new and are becoming increasingly popular. Most are made of a composite of limestone powder and recycled plastic material. Plastic tiles can be produced to look like slate or to provide a range of colours and finishes.
Plastic tiles are light, quick and easy to install and offer a cheap option for homeowners on a budget. Their low weight makes them suitable for shallow roof pitches that could not support heavy clay or slate tiles. Plastic tiles can be installed on roofs from pitches as low as 14.5°.
Plastic tiles allow more heat to escape than many roofing materials and require more thermal insulation than other types. However, like metal tiles, plastic does a poor job of keeping out the sound of hailstones and heavy rain. In addition, the tiles can be brittle, and cracked tiles may cause leakages.
An annual roof check will spot cracked tiles that are easy to replace.
How Improve a Roof can help
Our regular cleaning and inspection service will help to protect any roof from algae, moss, lichen, and environmental debris. We can alert you to cracks or potential problems before they become too severe and expensive.
Improve a Roof provides roof cleaning services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
Call us NOW on: 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.