Tile Roofing: Differences Between Clay and Concrete

Clay and concrete roof tiles share many winning qualities. They can both withstand the harshest elements, including strong winds and large hailstones. They come in a variety of styles, colors and profiles for aesthetic versatility and allow natural air ventilation underneath them for thermal insulation. They’re simple to install and easy to repair since they’re individually laid down.

While they both represent the tile roofing category, clay and concrete have slight differences. To help separate one from the other, Krech Exteriors shows how they stack up against each other in key areas:

Longevity

Clay outlives concrete roof tiles. The former can protect your home for up to 100 years while the latter can last for over five decades, which is still noteworthy. In turn, clay costs a little more than concrete per square foot.

Weight

Between the two, clay is the lighter material. If your home requires structural adjustments to support its weight, re-roofing with clay tiles can help minimize your labor costs. Either way, both are simple to install, especially when you hire a roofing company that specializes in them like Krech Exteriors.

Colorfastness

Clay is more colorfast compared with concrete. Manufacturers bake finishes in extremely high temperatures to create a non-porous surface. While concrete roof tiles can hold their color for a long period, they tend to be more prone to stains than their clay counterparts.

Maintenance

Both clay and concrete tiles are low-maintenance roofing options. Clay has a low water absorption rate while concrete has little tendency to crack or shatter in freezing conditions. In case of damage, experienced roofing repair contractors would tell you that fixing either is not so disruptive, especially when addressed early.

Let Krech Exteriors help you choose between clay and concrete roof tiles. You can rest assured that we’ll provide you sound recommendations that fit your unique situation. For your FREE, in-home consultation in Minneapolis or St. Paul, call us at (651) 968-8888.