St Joseph Roofers | Roofing Supplies And Ideas

Our first defence in the home against the ravages of rain and snow, roof tiles are the unsung heroes of the house. Whilst tiles are often ignored, life would be incredibly uncomfortable without them. First used in ancient Greece many thousands of years ago, they provided a viable alternative to traditional thatched roofing.

Mass production made them more easily attainable and, in recent centuries, they’ve become the most widely used roofing material in the western world.

As well as the fact that they are stronger and cheaper, there are two more important reasons for this increase in the use of tiles.

Their resistance to fire has made them far safer than thatch, which was often the cause of widespread fires in olden times. Also, tiles provide a more waterproof material, and can be interlocked to provide 100% protection against the elements.

Roof tiles are incredibly versatile and are available in many shapes (known as profiles), colours and sizes. Many people wrongly believe they’re all flat and rectangular, but this is far from the truth.

Pantiles are shaped like the letter ‘S’, giving them a raised profile, which looks rather pleasing to the eye.

Roman tiles are curved slightly, while the shape of the imbrex tile creates rain channels, taking water away in a specific direction.

Tiles are available in various materials. Slate is used to create thin, incredibly smooth tiles, and is a traditional roof covering that dates back many years. Clay tiles were very popular at one time, although it’s not as prevalent nowadays. Concrete is the most widely used substance, partly because it’s cheap and easy to use.

Its increase in use is also due to not having to rely on a local supply of slate or clay. Concrete, basically a mixture of cement, aggregate and water, can be manufactured anywhere, whereas in the old days tile manufacturers had to be based close to quarries.

There are so many colours available, thanks to the versatility of the materials. Sand is burnt to make different shades, each one requiring a specific recipe, then mixed into a slurry before being coated onto the concrete. It’s a traditional process which allows the customer a wide selection of colours to choose from.

In recent years, plastic roof tiles have enjoyed a rise in popularity. Made of hardwearing polycarbonate, they’re light and incredibly tough, and can interlock perfectly to ensure a snug fit.

Colour choice is even wider and less difficult to manufacture, thanks to a simple process. Of course, plastic is highly versatile and can, therefore, be made into virtually any shape.

All roof tiles change colour slightly year on year. This process, known as ‘weathering’, is perfectly normal, and gives each individual house its very own character.

Most traditional roof tiles are brown, grey, black or red, and there are various shades of each colour available to the customer. Some manufacturers offer around a dozen different shades of brown, for example.

In 2009, researchers developed a tile that can turn white when the sun is shining, allowing the home to absorb heat. Environmentally, this could be a major breakthrough, as it can lessen energy usage dramatically.

Thanks to the never-ending technological process, the homes of the future may look very different from the ones we have now. But one thing is certain: roof tiles in some shape or form are likely to be around for a very long time.

Lightweight roof tiles are stronger than their heavier counterparts and can save you money. Find out more about roof tiles before choosing which tiles to use.