Why You Should Consider A Clay Tile Roof

By Tammy Crosby, Editor-in-Chief of The House Designers

One of the most important components and key investments for your home is the type and style of roofing material. Clay roofs appear on lots of our house plans in many styles, from the barrel-style tiles reminiscent of Spanish and Mediterranean house plan collections to flat tiles that look like natural slate and wood shake.

Clay tile roofs are popular because they are colorfast and can last more than 100 years. Since they wear so well over time homes with clay tile roofs tend to have a higher resale value. Premium companies like Boral® Roofing raise the bar with innovative manufacturing techniques producing Grade 1 clay tiles that last a lifetime.

It's very important when choosing a clay roof that you choose a product that has received the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Gold certification insuring they are not harmful to the environment and that they are sustainable. Companies like Boral® offer online design tools like their Design-A-Blend to help you visualize different roof options on your new home that you can share with your builder or designer.

Clay roofing options come in a wide array of styles and colors to fit any budget including barrel tiles, which come in two varieties. The two-piece mission barrel tiles look like a barrel cut in half and were originally created by clay craftsmen who molded the clay over their thighs to create the shape. These tiles are overlapped and nailed into position in a variety of designs. Spanish tiles or one-piece “S” tiles have a slightly lower barrel and are less expensive. What we like about the mission style tile is that you can apply it in a variety of designs and patterns including faux mission and create designs such as serpentine patterns.

Clay roofs can fit a number of different exterior styles. One of the earliest clay profiles are Romano Pans featuring a flat bottom pan and raised sides that are capped with traditional clay tile tops for a classical European flair. They are available from Boral® in cool roof colors which reduce energy costs, particularly in warmer climates.