All posts by Kory Cheshier

History of Concrete Roofing Tiles

As you read these words, concrete tiles continue to aesthetically and effectively adorn the roofs of the buildings in charming Rothenburg, Germany. Tourists flock to the picture perfect little postcard of a town, but few realize that the rust-red concrete tiles on those roofs are pushing two centuries now. Clearly, concrete roofing tiles stand the test of time.

Like many ingenious ideas — paper, movable type, the compass — roofing tiles were first used in China some 5,000 years ago. However, those were glazed clay, not concrete. For the modern, concrete tiles, we have to fast-forward thousands of years to the first few decades of the 19th century when portland cement was invented and perfected. The name of the German farmer who first used this newly available and highly resilient material to create flat, thin, roofing slabs is lost to history, but we do know that, by the 1850s, the Kroher family in Bavaria was producing diamond-shaped concrete roofing tiles, a style that imitated the prevailing stone or slate tiles in the region.

From Germany, due to their attractiveness, low cost and durability, concrete roofing tiles soon spread to other areas of western Europe, particularly to England, Holland and Denmark. It was in the latter country that the next big advancement in concrete roofing tiles took place: the invention soon after WWI of the Ringside, a power-driven machine to mass produce them. This process was further improved upon in the 1930s in England with the introduction of a rotary machine which produced curved concrete tiles. Developing quickly, over 80% of domestic dwellings in Great Britain had a concrete tile roof by 1960. These days, some 90% of all roofs in Europe feature concrete tile roofs with other industrially-advanced areas — East Asia and North America — catching up quickly.

How to Walk On A Tile Roof

Even critics of concrete roofing tiles admit to their longevity and environmental benefits. After all, those are measurable qualities, and the data exist to conclusively demonstrate both.
Further, honest critics will also admit that they themselves cannot tell the difference between concrete and clay tiles; advances in the manufacturing of the former have produced superior products whose color and texture are virtually indistinguishable from the latter, often even to experienced roofers. But still critics will claim that it is not possible to walk on concrete tiles, or that they become discolored, or that they are simply too heavy, or too expensive. None of this is true. Strong to begin with, concrete tiles gain strength as they age, making them the ideal material to withstand even extreme wind and hail events. During the manufacturing process, inorganic pigments mixed into the body of the tile ensure that the color remains constant throughout the tiles’ decades in service. Nor is weight a problem. Bartile’s Ultralite tile combines both strength and durability while not overburdening a building’s rafters. As for expense, concrete roofing tile does not require the expensive and energy-intensive processes of clay tiles or asphalt shingles and, given concrete roofing tiles’ much longer lifespan and their recyclability, are the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly choice.

Maintaining and Decorating Your Tile Roof

Extraordinarily robust and naturally insect and weather resistant, concrete roofing tiles can be left alone for long periods of time to do their job efficiently and aesthetically. However, occasional cleanings or resealings will be needed and, in some cases, seasonal decorations desired. Here are a few simple tips for each.

First, whenever you are accessing your tile roof, make sure to follow the steps laid out in How to Walk on a Tile Roof.

For general maintenance, there is no need to access the roof at all. Simply remain on the ground and, at least once a year, give your roof a visual inspection to make sure there are no broken tiles. If so, concrete tiles are easy to repair or replace without need for specialized tools.

For cleaning, the valleys are the main areas that may need to be addressed. Depending on your local environment and the presence and types of trees, leaves and twigs can collect in this area. Simply use a blower to safely remove any debris that has accumulated. If you don’t have trees where you live, there is no cleaning required. However, if you live in a very humid climate, you will need to clean your tiles every few years to prevent the build up of moss. Technologies exist that limit the need for this: both spray-on sealants and copper ridges inhibit the growth of moss. Sealants also exist that are purely for aesthetic purposes. For example, if you want your tile roof to have that glossy or “wet” look, this can easily be done.

But not all roof access needs to concern upkeep. Some homeowners enjoy decorating their roofs to celebrate events such as weddings, birthdays and holidays. Often, this does not even require walking on the roof to do so. Most Christmas lights, for example, can be attached to the soffit fascia transition or the drip edge below the roof. For decorations that do require getting on the roof, make sure to follow the safety guidelines in How to Walk on a Tile Roof. Most decorations are lightweight, but, just like people, the weight of any heavy decorations will need to be evenly distributed by first mounting on a flat piece of plywood and then securing safely to prevent any accidental damage or injury to property or people. While our regular weight and Super Duty tiles can handle substantially more weight than their tested minimum of 250 pounds per square foot, it’s a good idea to make that minimum mark your maximum weight for any decorations going up.

 

Concrete Tiles – Facts Over Fiction

Even critics of concrete roofing tiles admit to their longevity and environmental benefits. After all, those are measurable qualities, and the data exist to conclusively demonstrate both. Further, honest critics will also admit that they themselves cannot tell the difference between concrete and clay tiles; advances in the manufacturing of the former have produced superior products whose color and texture are virtually indistinguishable from the latter, often even to experienced roofers. But still critics will claim that it is not possible to walk on concrete tiles, or that they become discolored, or that they are simply too heavy, or too expensive. None of this is true. Strong to begin with, concrete tiles gain strength as they age, making them the ideal material to withstand even extreme wind and hail events. During the manufacturing process, inorganic pigments mixed into the body of the tile ensure that the color remains constant throughout the tiles’ decades in service. Nor is weight a problem. Bartile’s Ultralite tile combines both strength and durability while not overburdening a building’s rafters. As for expense, concrete roofing tile does not require the expensive and energy-intensive processes of clay tiles or asphalt shingles and, given concrete roofing tiles’ much longer lifespan and their recyclability, are the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly choice.