Roofing Tiles – Different Designs In Tiles

Roof Shingles - Sep 05,2012 - No Comment

Different designs in roofing tiles are availalbe. Roof tiles have been a popular choice of people around the globe and have stood the test of time. The essential design and form have survived without change down the ages. It just goes to prove how well this simple design has worked for people of all cultures and regions. The roofing tile has served man well. Made from locally available, environmentally sustainable methods the basic ingredient of the roof tille is clay and it is fired in kilns to make it tough and durable.

The tiles industry has come a long way from simple, sun-baked or kiln-fired tiles of the past. New materials and new methods are being tried to make the tile more glamorous and up to date. Concrete, plastic are just few of the materials being used. These roofing tiles come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. The finishes also vary, so do textures and designs to cater to every whim and fancy of customers.

Inspite of the wide number of choices and designs on offer a close inspection will reveal that the basic design and style remain the same. The basic four designs of the past are the basis of all new roofing tiles. They have withstood the impact of nature, time and man and stood up to all the challenges thrown at them.

This is just a short primer on roofing tiles, for more details click here!

Roofing Tiles And Their Types

Roof Shingles - May 20,2012 - No Comment

Roofing tiles are an elegant roofing option that has stood the test of times and survived almost in tact in design and form just as it was used by our forefathers. It speaks volumes about endurance of certain designs and innovations. Like the wheel this is one of most important inventions of man that has helped man keep the vagaries of nature at bay. It was fashioned out of locally available materials like abundantly available clay and fired in kilns to make them strong and long-lasting. Even today, at most archaeological digs fragments of tiles are commonly found in various parts of the world.

Today, the roofing tiles industry has evolved and branched out but at the core it retains the same design as the original tiles manufactured thousands of years ago. They are made using a variety of materials not just clay. Concrete, clay, plastic are a few of the materials used. Roof tiles in a variety of shapes and sizes, colors and finishes, designs and textures are made available to discerning customers.

Even though it make seem like there are numerous choices a closer look will reveal the fact that roofing tiles design has evolved from basically the four original roof types that has come to us down the ages. They have withstood all that nature, time and man has thrown at it and come out successfully. Here are the four roof types that you will encounter:

Plain Tiles – Clay tiles, these are the rectangular pieces made from clay with a smooth or sanded surface.

Slate Tiles – These are stone tiles that are quarried from mines and cut in to rectangular thin sections. They can be cut to varying sizes, shapes and thickness as required.

Pantiles – Are clay tiles which have distinctive ‘S’ shaped profile.

Roman Tiles – These are similar to pantiles but have flat cross-section with a small roll.

The above designs have become standardized over the last 50 years and most of newer slates or tiles fall into the above 4 categories. Today’s products are designed keeping mind the need for better performance at lower costs. So, as the modern manufacturing methods emerged makers of tiles moved from traditional materials like clay and moved to alternative materials like concrete which helped make economical plain tiles for the mass market. In the next step the manufactureres used the basic pantile design to come with the double unit concrete tiles. The newer designs are faster and easier to install.

Slate tiles, also a time-tested roofing option. As all things natural it is expensive. The cost of quarrying and fashioning them into desirable sizes is costly and so is the cost of installation. So, alternative materials like concrete and fibre cement were used to make tiles similar to slate but which were much lighter in weight and cheaper to install. Original slate is heavy, thick and difficult to install. There are alternatives to slate in clay too. So, over time a number of options to replace expensive naturally available materials have come up.

The advantage of natural products is that they retain their color and characteristics for their life-time and more, where as the man-made products start fading and losing their artificial induced natural characteristics as time passes. That is one distinctive disadvantage of man-made products. But, the cost savings more than offset for it.

One of the key constraints that manufacturers face is the need to stick to old design of the roofing tiles. They can’t stray from old too far as the people are looking for traditional and local styles to replace their old roofs. That is the reason why makers have to retain most older elements and add newer design aspects to improve the products efficiency and ease of use.

The consumers of today are a spoilt lot. Stores are filled with dozens of choices both in natural and man-made materials to satisfy the whims and fancies of even the ficklest of customers. Innovation and modern technology have driven the costs down, made the products more efficient, durable, are fire safe, impact resistant, algae and fungus resistant are functional and simpler and easier to install.

Benefits & Drawbacks of Roof Tiles

Roof Repair - May 01,2012 - No Comment

Roof tiles pale in popularity in comparison to other types of roof shingles. Roof tiles are manufactured from terra cotta or concrete, and are used in some geographic locales that feature architecture that’s characteristic and unique to the area. Tiles give a certain old world charm to a building, creating a feeling of something special and intimate in the neighborhood.

Terra cotta roof tiles are conventional, having been used for hundreds of years in construction. They are sturdy, durable and long lasting, having been proven to be effective roofing solutions over decades of safe existence. Their very endurance has shown how superior they are as a roofing system.

Some roof tiles manufactured to the highest standards of quality and style are ideal for use in certain marine environments where roofs are subjected to corrosion and erosion from salt-laden moisture borne in the wind. Other kinds of roofs get damaged easily under such circumstances, but roof tiles can withstand even their harmful effects. Where there are temperature extremes, with freezing cold in winter leading to thawing of the roof tiles afterwards in summer, tile roofs are again tough enough to tolerate the stress. There are other advantages as well.

Roof tiles are very durable. Most last for 50 to 70 years, even longer. Asphalt shingle roofs, on the other hand, typically last only for 15 to 20 years, and under harsh weather conditions this may be even shorter. In considerations of cost versus durability, the expensive tile roof comes up a clear winner simply because over the long term the home owner saves much more by way of repairs and replacement costs to justify the upfront expense. Roof tiles come in lightweight versions also, which has the added benefit of not requiring any structural modification to the roof frame in order to support the new roof.

Roof tiles come in a range of textures and colors. In style, they range from Mediterranean to Spanish, shake, wood and slate designs, and in different color combinations like traditional reds, greens and blues. You can find shades of gray roof tiles to match different architecture and patterns. Terra cotta roof tile colors are lasting and manufacturers will guarantee this for the lifetime of the tiles. You may use a combination of traditional and risque tiles to create a stunning or eye-grabbing appearance.

For more information about roof tiles and to know what other factors to look for before ordering your roof tiles, be sure to read this longer report.

Roofing Shingles and Tiles – 3 Basic Types

Roof Shingles - Jan 23,2012 - No Comment

Roofing shingles come in many different styles, shapes, colors and patterns. But every roof has but three basic shingle (or tile) types. This article explains the three basic types of shingles and tiles which are produced. We’re not talking about specific products here, simply the types of each product.

Starters Shingles and Starter Tiles

Starter shingles are, as their name implies, the starting shingles of a Roof System. They are installed on top of the Drip Edge/Rake Edge and on top of the Leak Barriers and begin the overlapping pattern for the remainder of Shingles (or tiles) on the roof. Simply put: One single row of starter shingles is installed everywhere your roof ends, ie: in the same areas as with Metal Drip Edge and Rake Edge.

As with every other part of a Roof System, different types of starter shingles are offered by many different manufacturers. Fortunately for you, you don’t need to select what type of starter shingle to use on your roof, because the manufacturer of the Field Shingle you chose chooses for you. As long as your Roofing Contractor follows the manufacturers recommendations when selecting starter shingles, you’re in good hands.

A note of interest: starter shingles set the beginning pace for the rest of the Shingles on your roof. If the starter shingles are installed straight, then the installation technician will be off to a good start. Also, starter shingles usually need to be installed off set from the remaining Shingles on your Roof System to allow for a proper overlap of the remaining shingles or tiles.

Another easy aspect for you about starter shingles is some manufacturers produce starter shingles which can be used with the Field Shingles of their competitors. In other words, some starter shingles are interchangeable with the products of different manufacturers. Not all starter shingles however are interchangeable. To avoid any ‘unpleasantness’, double check with your roofing contractor that they will be installing a proper starter shingle.

Field Shingles and Field Tiles

Shingles, or “field” Shingles are the main component of your Roof System. It’s the part you see first when looking from the street. And it’s the part which primarily keeps the weather out of your home. Many differing types of shingles are available to choose from, ranging between the traditional Asphalt, Wood Shake and Slate/Tile, to the relatively newer Metal, Rubber and environmentally friendly Plastic Types. Manufacturers are even experimenting with new Green Roof Systems which do not have shingles at all but are instead composed of real dirt and vegetation!

Dry climates generally reduce the effectiveness of Wood Shingles in Calgary and Concrete Tiles are relatively expensive and require a very specific “taste” of design appeal. Rubber and Plastic tiles are relatively newer in the market and still gaining market share. It’s true also that many home owners are resistant to installing metal on their roof, although metal roof systems are quite true to their promise of reliability and curb appeal. This leaves Asphalt shingles as the most popular tile and shingle option for Roofing Systems, with asphalt being the most popular due to its lower cost and long reliable track record.

Asphalt and Metal Shingles have recently adapted in design to match the luxurious ‘layered’ look that Wood Shingles used to offer. Recent advances in technology have allowed more and more Asphalt and Metal shingle designs. Field shingles are installed overtop the Starter Shingles we just discussed. They take the brunt of the weather and are the ‘meat and potatoes’ a Roof System.

Without good Field Shingles, your roof doesn’t stand a chance. Of course, all components of a Roof System are vitally important, however it’s the Field Shingles which are the most visual, the most costly and receive the most attention on your Roof.

Ridge Cap Shingles and Ridge Cap Tiles

The final touch. Ridge Shingles are to your roof like a picture frame is to a picture. What kind of frame did they put around the Mona Lisa in the Louvre? I’ll bet you it wasn’t purchased at Wal-Mart… And what a difference it makes to have a good quality ridge shingle installed. The bottom line is, visually appealing Roof Systems include visually appealing ridge shingles.

If you are not concerned with the visual appeal of your Roof System, then save a buck and use a standard cut shingle for your ridge caps. If however you’d like your house to look more like your castle…use a definitive edge ridge shingle such as an IKO Ultra Hip or a GAF/Elk z-ridge. The price difference between a regular ridge shingle and a more visually appealing ridge shingle on a standard home is around $400 – $800.

Important note: Higher quality ridge shingles typically require special installation procedures when installed. It may be wise to mention this to whoever you choose to install your roof. Ridge shingles are located at areas of your roof most vulnerable to wind damage and therefore subject blowing off if they are not installed properly. Ask your roofing contractor what sort of Special Installations are required for installing high quality ridge shingles.

This article is written by Eric Gilbert-Williams, owner of The Roof Hospital located in Calgary Alberta.

Visit the Calgary Roofing Contractor website

The Roof Hospital is a Calgary Roofing Contractor Company focused exclusively on roof repairs and replacements.

With 24/hr 7/day service, lifetime guarantee’s on workmanship and with a deep understanding of the complete roof system, The Roof Hospital is a safe and reliable for Calgary roofing projects.

If you would like to learn more about A Complete Roof System, visit the Calgary Roofing Contractors website

The Roof Hospital also serves the Cochrane, Airdrie, Okotokes, Chestermere and Langdon area.

Be Proactive. Choose a reliable roofing contractor for your project, work with them to select quality products and back yourself with a strong warranty.

Be Proactive. Let Us Help.

By Eric Gilbert

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Gilbert

http://EzineArticles.com/?Roofing-Shingles-and-Tiles—3-Basic-Types&id=2261910

Tag Archives: Roofing Tiles

Roofing Tiles – Different Designs In Tiles

Roofing Tiles And Their Types

Benefits & Drawbacks of Roof Tiles

Roofing Shingles and Tiles – 3 Basic Types