Clay roof tiles have been used for centuries in many parts of the world and have an instantly recognisable and iconic look. Both Roman tiles and traditional pantile tiles are normally made from clay, but as with all natural materials they are prone to damage.

The material itself can produce a roof that lasts for a very long time, sometimes in excess of the estimates, which are around 50 years. The problem is that the longevity is totally reliant upon maintenance to ensure the roof stays strong and rainproof. Look out for some of the issues mentioned below to avoid costly damage to your home.

Structural damage

The main problem with clay-tiled roofs is actually the failure of the battens and trusses beneath, due to rot and woodworm. As individual tiles become damaged or fall off, rain water seeps into contact with the supporting structure, which over the years can cause extreme structural damage.

The most frequent reason that clay tiles become loose is due to damaged fixings holding them in place. This is largely due to nail corrosion and rotting pegs from water damage, but can also be caused by the wind lifting the tiles.

The Reasons for Tiles Breaking

Fixings aside, the tiles themselves can break for a multitude of reasons. Frost damage can be a problem causing tiles to crack if they are old, weak, or have been allowed to build up moss, which holds moisture. Due to the inconsistent process of making and firing the clay, some tiles may be weaker than others, for instance if a tile was fired in a cooler part of the kiln it will not be as strong.

Climbing plants and over hanging trees can also cause damage to tiles, either by directing water to a very specific point causing weakness over time, or via physical pressure. Likewise human contact whilst carrying out maintenance can cause damage, as the tiles are not strong enough to be walked on and are easily loosened underfoot.

Ultimately there are many reasons why clay tiles can break, but as long as you notice the broken tiles and replace them, there is no reason why your roof cannot last for a long time. It is just a question of your commitment to the maintenance. You must be vigilant to ensure your roof remains in good health or the damage to the supporting structure could be costly and potentially dangerous.

Metrotile Alternatives to Clay Tiles

With all the best intentions, your commitment to maintaining your roof may slip and you may prefer to opt for a roofing material that does not need to be maintained. We have designed Metrotile lightweight roof tiles to be virtually maintenance free and protect your home for many stress-free years to come.

Metrotile is a steel roofing system with a rustproof Alozinc coating and finished with a final stone coating to give a traditional appearance and also providing a sure footing should you need to walk across the roof.

We have two designs to replicate clay tiles – the bond profile in the style of pantile tiles and the Roman profile as the name suggests, in the style of Roman tiles.

Weatherproof Guarantee

All Metrotile roofing has gone through stringent testing to certify its resilience to extreme weather conditions and comes with a 40-year weatherproof guarantee, though is expected to last much longer.

They have been certified under extreme rainfall to not only remain waterproof, but also to reduce the noise from the rain. We can also guarantee that the tiles will not be lifted from harsh winds as they have been certified to resist cyclones. There is essentially nothing the British weather can throw at Metrotile that it cannot handle and should the unthinkable happen it is also fireproof.

The design of Metrotile manages to avoid the corrosion of fixings that clay tiles suffer from, as the shape provides a ‘hidden fix’. This means that the nails or screws holding the tile in place do not come into contact with the rain, which keeps the fixings, battens and trusses dry and protected.

This ‘hidden fix’ also adds an additional security benefit to your roof, as the tiles are near impossible to remove by hand giving you extra protection from burglars and vandals.

Roof Pitch

Clay tiles are best installed on a roof pitch of 40 degrees to increase their longevity, as the water is more rapidly dispersed reducing the risk of frost damage. They can be installed on pitches of 25 degrees, but this is likely to increase their maintenance issues.

Both the Bond and Roman Metrotile profiles can be installed as low as 10 degrees without affecting its weatherproof properties. This makes it a much more versatile option to suit a variety of house designs. Read our page on low-pitch roofing to find out more.

If you would like to discuss using Metrotile to replace your clay tile roof or for a new build, give us a call on 01249 658514 for more information.