The Versatility of Tile Roofing
May 06, 2015Planning a major renovation or building your dream home comes with all sorts of decisions. One of the more important decisions is: what type of roof do I want/need?
The answer depends on a lot of factors like the climate and the style of the home. One of the styles we see a lot of here in Miami, is the tile roof. Tile roofing is a complex material to work with and when having one installed, you definitely want a company with the experience to do the job right.
When you’ve been roofing for as long as we have, you get to know the materials that are the best of the best. I thought I’d take a moment to highlight a few of the clay tile roofing manufacturers from around the world that we love doing business with.
Brands We Trust
Ludowici is probably one of the oldest clay tile manufacturing companies around. They’ve been in business since 1888. Located in Chicago, these tiles are made by Italian craftsmen and considered THE best of the best. These guys have been around longer than most roofing companies! They really know their stuff!
La Escandella is known throughout the world as a trusted source for authentic Spanish tiles. They come in a wide array of colors, which can compliment so many architectural styles from traditional to modern. Tile roofs are not just for traditional colonial homes anymore.
Redland Clay Tile is made in California and fire-flashed in a kiln which means that no two are ever exactly alike. They are never spray painted, Redland clay tiles are made the old fashioned way, and they have a gorgeous all natural look to them.
Terreal is an established French tile maker. They are committed to beautiful, energy efficient, and environmentally friendly designs. Terreal makes authentic Terracotta from the south of France. No need to travel to get that luxurious French feel. You can have it installed directly on your roof.
What Makes a Clay Tile Roof Different?
Clay is one of the original building materials there is. After all, weren’t the great pyramids built using clay? Clay tile is 100% natural. Plus, clay tile is waterproof, and resistant to fire, wind, steam, and frost.
Depending on the type of tile you purchase, ask about it’s cool-roof rating. Tile roofs are rated for coolness based on two things: solar reflectivity and thermal emittance… not popularity and looks, like the name suggests.
A cool-roof reflects and emits heat back into the sky, instead of down into the home or building, which helps you regulate your energy use and utility bill. Clay tile is not just pretty – it works hard too!
So Many Options to Choose From
Istueta is one of only a handful of roofing companies trained to install clay tile roofs. If you have any questions about your tile roofing options, feel free to ask. We would love to help you.
And, in the meantime, download our best tips for making sure the next contractor you hire is the right one for your needs!
Integrity, Trust, Pride, and Peace of Mind,
~Frank Istueta