In Littleton, Colorado, and around Denver, tile roofs are growing in popularity. Some Home Owner Associations are requiring tile roofs as a replacement to the old shake shingle roofs. Tile roofs are definitely striking and a definite way to bring instant curb appeal to your home.

Tile roofing was first really seen in coastal areas but is spreading in popularity here in Colorado as well. If you are thinking about a tile roof for your home, here are some things to consider.

  • Weight – Tile roofing systems are very heavy in weight. Your roof framing needs to be very sturdy in order to support the weight. Your roof structure must be able to handle the weight of a tile roof, which may be as much as 2,000 pounds per square for clay tile and 700 pounds per square for concrete tile. An asphalt roof, by comparison, weighs only around 275 to 425 pounds per square. If you’re replacing shingle roofing with tiles, you should consult an engineer to determine if structural reinforcement is necessary.
  • Time and Cost – A tile roof takes longer to put on a home than an asphalt home. If you are in a time crunch, we would not recommend choosing tile. If you are looking for the most cost-saving option, tile may not be right for you.
  • Roof Slope – Tile roofs are suitable only for roofs with relatively steep slopes. They should not be used on roofs with pitches of less than 4:12.

PRO TIP:

Consider Concrete Tiles: For a lighter tile roof, try concrete tiles. They don’t typically last as long as the heavier clay tiles but do cost less and put less weight on the house structure.

What to Know About Tile Roofs:

Color Choice: Clay, concrete, and slate tiles come in a wide variety of colors and styles to match any home style.

Durability and Strength: Clay and concrete tile roofs have been known to withstand hail, high winds, and even fire. Unlike older shake or asphalt shingles, a tiled roof will not decay. Even though these roofs are very durable, they may require repairs or maintenance.

Long Lifespan: A tile roof can last a very long time in most climates. In Littleton and around Colorado where we have longer winter season we need to ensure proper underlayment beneath the tile and the plywood decking. Your Anderson Builder representative can walk you through the appropriate underlayment.

Environmentally Friendly: Tile roofs are better for the environment. They are made from earth minerals, not synthetic materials, and they can be pulverized and recycled when they are removed. The heavy thermal mass of tiles helps regulate indoor temperatures.

Cost: A clay tile roof system is more expensive than a more traditional asphalt roofing system. However this is offset by the long life a tile roof will enjoy. Slate tiles are also costly. Concrete tile roofs are more economical.

Installing tile roofing requires professional roofing contractors with extensive experience, which further adds to the cost. The tiles will need to be measured, laid in a specific pattern, and checked so that no moisture gets through. Bear in mind this is not a DIY project. Anderson Builders LLC is fully licensed and trained as a tile roofing installer. While time consuming, they are a stunning, eye catching focus to a home’s exterior.

While very durable, clay tiles, slate, and concrete tiles can be broken if they suffer a heavy impact, such as from falling tree branches, or even due to the pressure of walking on them.

On this particular roof in the Ken Caryl Valley in Littleton, we are installing a 5,000 square foot concrete tile roof for a home owner. This particular style of tile is a Westlake Villa 900 Moab Tile which fits the Spanish style home exterior.

Anderson Builders are a family business that takes pride in a high quality roofing experience for our home owners. Since 2009 we have been roofing Littleton and the surrounding areas.