CONCRETE ROOF TILES
Concrete roof tiles have come a long way in recent years and, by choosing carefully, can be a great alternative to clay, says Natasha Brinsmead
Concrete roof tiles have not got a great reputation among self-builders and renovators. They are often seen as inferior to clay roof tiles in terms of their appearance and performance, to be replaced as swiftly as possible when renovating a house. However, what many people don’t realise is just how far they have come in the last decade or two. Their durability has been improved and, in some cases, their appearance can rival that of their clay counterparts, too.
The quality of concrete tiles very much depends on where you source them and, in many cases, what you are willing to pay. At the cheapest end of the market lie tiles that are obviously concrete, painted with a coating to make them look like something else (usually clay or slate). These poor-quality versions are often prone to fading and damage.
However, if you are willing to pay a little more, concrete tiles can be very convincing in their appearance, with plenty of texture and a good depth of colour.
THE PROS AND CONS
One of the main benefits of concrete roof tiles is their price tag. On average, concrete roof tiles work out to be roughly 20% cheaper than machine-made clay versions. Unlike clay, that can, in very cold temperatures, crack or shatter, concrete tends to hold up better in extreme weather conditions. So if you live in an exposed area that is prone to frequent cold snaps this may be worth considering. They are hard-wearing and have good longevity — their lifespan tends to be between 35 and 50 years. However, depending on the underlay you have chosen, this may well require replacement sooner than the tiles. It might also be the case that, even where concrete roof tiles are still structurally sound, their colour may fade over the years. The average timescale that manufacturers tend to guarantee their concrete roof tiles for is 30 years.
If you’re looking to keep installation costs and times down then concrete interlocking tiles – where they simply ‘click’ together for a quick and secure fix – are worth looking into. Some concrete tiles can be installed on pitches lower than 15˚.
Do bear in mind that concrete tiles tend to be heavier than clay — your roof structure will need to be suitably strong in order to take their weight so talk this through with your roofer or builder.
The tiles don’t offer the same natural variations in tone and texture as their clay counterparts so if you’re after a more natural look then concrete might not be the right choice.
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
The cost of tiling a roof will vary depending on many factors, such as where in the country you live and the style and quality of the tile you opt for. You will need to factor in labour and fixing as well as the tiles when working out your costs.
Interlocking concrete tiles will work out cheaper than plain concrete tiles. Prices are usually quoted per pallet, but you can get a plain tile for around 85p per tile, in a pallet of 900. To get an idea of how much your final costs will be you’ll need to work out how many tiles you will need — not forgetting wastage.