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If you are a homeowner with discerning architectural tastes and you need a new roof for your home in Pinellas County, any run-of-the-mill building material will not likely satisfy your sense of style. While shingle roofs are functional, some homeowners prefer higher-end roofing materials’ beauty and durability; often that means classic roofing tiles. In fact, some covenant-controlled communities in Florida require tile roof systems to maintain elegant curb appeal and to ensure consistent real estate valuation.
What Are Roof Tiles?
Roof tiles are your first protection for your home or commercial structure against Mother Nature’s wrath. Tiles differ from conventional asphalt shingles in both their material composition and appearance. Roof tiles have been used for centuries, with slate being used as far back as the 1600s, and clay tiles as far back as 10,000 BC. You will find slate tile roofing systems on residential, commercial and historical properties, including museums, universities and churches. These tiles vary in cost, durability, weight and appearance. We will provide information on different types of roofing tiles, so you can have a clear understanding of what sets each material apart.
Clay Roofing Tiles
If there’s a classic roofing material, it’s the same materials used centuries ago. Clay offers excellent moldability, color options and color retention. While traditional clay tiles were orange or red, today’s clay tiles come in virtually any color, and in dozens of shapes and sizes.
Some of your options in classic clay roofing tiles include:
CLASSIC ROOFING – FAMILY OWNED AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 20 YEARS
- Overlapping
- Interlocking
- Roman (single or double roll)
- Pantiles (S-shaped)
Concrete Roofing Tiles
Often called cement roofing tiles, these are made in a factory setting from Portland cement, water, sand and sometimes dyes, to achieve a desired uniform color consistency. They offer excellent resistance to sun, wind or hail damage. However, concrete tiles are not as durable as clay or slate tiles.
Slate Roofing Tiles
Sometimes called “the hundred-year roof” for its durability, slate is a natural stone with a unique and beautiful appearance. Slate roof tiles (also used for siding) are a natural product mined from a hard rock known as metamorphic rock. The genesis of this material starts deep in the earth, where heat and pressure transform minerals, clay, volcanic materials into dense rock. Black and gray sale roof tiles indicate a high carbon content, while minerals such as hematite and iron give some colored hues.
Slate can be found in dozens of different colors, depending on where it is mined, including shades of red, green, blue, tan and purple. Slate tiles are mined and processed into multiple shapes and thicknesses. Slate is mined all over the world, including Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, slate has been mined commercially since the early 1700s in Pennsylvania. Other mines can be found in Virginia, Vermont and New York. The largest slate producer in North America is the Glendyne Quarry in Quebec, Canada.
Slate roofing is composed of overlapping slate roof tiles securely attached to a solid substrate or roof deck on a sloped roof. This material needs an experienced crew to install it, as well as experience in constructing a reinforced roof deck to support slate tiles weight.
Metal Roofing Tiles
Metal roof systems come standard with higher material and labor costs for installation. But if you want one of the strongest roofs on the market, then you will want a metal one. Their advantages include:
- Fire and hail resistance.
- Energy-efficient. Reflecting light saves 25 percent on cooling.
- Eco-friendly. Metal tiles are recyclable at the end of their lifespan.
Your metal roof system options include:
- Metal roof shingles in panels and individual shingles, with the main advantage being able to quickly install this lightweight material.
- Metal shingles in a variety of colors and appearances, including those that imitate slate, cedar shake, clay tiles and more.
Classic Roofing Tiles for Your Home
Since 2003, Classic Roofing & Construction has been constructing roofs for both residential and commercial projects in St. Petersburg, FL, and surrounding communities. Our residential projects have included:
- Primary residences
- Vacation homes
- Apartment complexes
- Condominiums
- Townhomes
- Bungalows
- Beach homes
- Single-story homes
- Two-story homes
Tile roofing systems consist of overlapping roof tiles securely attached to a roofing substrate or a roof deck on a sloped roof. As a specialized roofing system, tile roofs require experienced craftsmen. When you choose Classic Roofing & Construction, you get our experienced and skilled roofing technicians to install tile roof systems to the highest quality standards in Florida.
We provide free estimates and easy financing, using our in-house team of craftsmen. We do not hire subcontractors, because we don’t need to. Our team of trusted professionals can handle all your roofing needs. Call us at 727-329-8023 in Tampa or 239-932-5225 in Fort Myers, or schedule a free estimate.
