ROOF TILES

sandii · Feb 14, 2007 10:54 pm

Hi,
can somebody please advise me on the pro's and con's of terracotta roof tiles as compared to concrete? Is there a great difference in price? My builder uses Bristile concrete tiles, but as with most things, it is possible to upgrade for a price. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

Lotte · Feb 15, 2007 10:18 am

My father in law is a roof tiler and I can tell you right now that I would never, ever get concrete tiles put on a roof if I was planning to live there long term.

Terracotta tiles look better initially, and last many, many times longer. For example, my in-laws' old house was built in approximately 1978 on a road we drive up fairly regularly. The roof is black, glazed terracotta and it still looks brand spanking new. All the other roofs in the street are matte and look awful.

I think you're looking at a fair chunk more for terracotta, but I'd do it if it were me. Sure, you can paint a concrete roof when it gets ugly, but personally I think it looks quite ordinary.... besides, how many times do you paint a concrete roof before you've spent as much as you would have on terracotta?

Best of luck with it!!

3timesbuilda · Feb 15, 2007 2:43 pm

Hi Sandii,

My understanding is that there is not too much difference in practical use, more about the look.

One thing to consider is whether you will live in the same house for the next couple of decades. terracotta costs more and you won't get that money back when you sell.

3xb

fmach1 · Feb 18, 2007 12:26 am

I've heard that concrete tiles are more prone to moss than teracotta, due to they're pourous finish. Not sure how true this is, can anyone confirm/contest this opinion.

3timesbuilda · Feb 23, 2007 12:20 pm

Not sure about moss, but litchen(sp?) seem to be attracted to clay tiles.

Lotte · Feb 23, 2007 1:47 pm

Most new Terracotta roofing is glazed or semi glazed....

guym · Apr 26, 2007 12:59 pm

I have been told concrete tiles are stronger than terracotta and less prone to crack if walked on.

Simple · Jun 12, 2007 5:21 pm

guym

I have been told concrete tiles are stronger than terracotta and less prone to crack if walked on.

Dont know about that my concrete tiles have broken that many times, I have had multiple ceilings collapse during the building phase. Everytime anyone goes up there or even looks at them the worng way they seem to break

Yak_Chat · Jun 12, 2007 7:23 pm

And in the bush the words was always.
I'f your collecting rainwater, then iron roofs don;t soak up the water like tiles do. Sure glazed will be better, but every join will wick up some of it.

I'm a iron man myself. But it's all preferences. Current hosue is concrete and they are cracked all over the place.
Steve

gemini67 · Jun 13, 2007 2:05 pm

Theres one thing that everyone is forgetting, terracotta blocks out the heat more effectively than concrete. We are building with PD and would of loved to get terracotta but just couldn't fit it into the budget

Yak_Chat · Jun 13, 2007 6:25 pm

Do you know how much heat it blocks out Gemini?
With good insulation and a vented roof space, I do not see the heat gain / not gained through the tiles as a major issue (yes maybe a bit more- but not lots) as the heat would be taken away and the insulation would block the rest?
Venting the roof space is the trick though to stop the heat build up.
Steve

ahuang · Jul 01, 2007 9:53 pm

sandii

Is there a great difference in price?

Hi sandii,

Our builder AllCastle charged about $4000 for upgrading to Terracotta roof tiles. But there's a catch. They also recommend to add sarking which cost extra $3000.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
Allan
http://building-our-first-house.blogspot.com/
Current stage: old house demolished, contract signed, waiting for excavation to start...