Roof tiles date back to 10,000 BC when they were widely used in China and the Middle East. That’s likely thanks to the material being readily available across the region, and for its ability to stand up to the sun’s hot rays. Over time, tiles made their way to the US by way of Europeans, and enjoyed a rise in popularity. In fact, you can find clay tile roofs in Jamestown settlement. Today, many homes topped with clay tiles can be found in warm climates like California and Florida.
8 Beautiful Roof Tile Types to Consider
If you love the elegant, layered look of roof tiles, here are eight different roof tile types you can choose from. Depending on the look you’re trying to achieve for your home, one of these materials will likely appeal to you. No matter what type of roof tile you choose, be sure to find a roofer with specific experience working with that type of tile for best results.
Slate Tiles
Slate is a fine-grained, metamorphic rock with beautiful natural color variations. Because of its beauty, it’s a popular choice for roof tiles, offering a stately, elegant look that pops against white exteriors in particular thanks to its dark hue. While a slate roof is by far the most expensive type of roof tile, it lasts forever. If you have a slate roof, there’s little chance you’ll ever have to replace it. This fire-resistant stone roof is durable and requires little maintenance outside of routine cleaning every now and then.
Because slate is a stone, this type of roof tile is extremely heavy and requires a substantial and very sturdy roofing structure for installation. What’s more, you’ll want to find a roofer who is well qualified in slate installation before moving forward.
Composite Tiles
Like the name suggests, composite tiles are made from a combination of natural and man-made materials like recycled plastics and rubber. They’re manufactured to look like other, more expensive types of roof tiles, and as long as authenticity isn’t your number one criteria for your roofing material, there are almost no downsides to composite tiles. They’re incredibly durable, attractive, eco-conscious and less expensive than any other type of roof tiles. What’s more, composite tiles come in different custom colors to suit any home exterior, they’re lightweight when compared to most other roof tile types and they’re much easier to install, which reduces installation costs.
Clay Tiles
Clay roof tiles are one of the oldest roofing materials, having a solid place in world history. That’s likely because the clay material used for the tiles is a widely available resource. Early clay tile roofs were made by hand, with each individual tile taking on a distinctive shape and size as a result. Today, most are manufactured, giving them a more uniform look. Still, clay tiles lend a lovely, organic look to a home and give a decidedly Mediterranean vibe.
You can find both curved and flat tiles in a variety of colors, but most homeowners opt for the beautiful orange clay tiles that are so popular on homes in hot climates. Clay tiles are sealed to resist water absorption, and are otherwise pretty durable and long-lasting, though they can break on impact (such as when a tree branch falls on a roof). Difficult to install and very heavy, clay tiles require a roofing contractor who’s very experienced with this type of roofing.
Metal Tiles
Of all the roof tile types, metal tile roofs aren’t the most common. These tiles are often made of metals like aluminum, zinc or copper. Of these materials, steel and aluminum are the most popular. Metal tiles can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are often manufactured to resemble other types of roof tiles, like clay, slate or wood. In recent years, metal roof tiles have become more and more popular due to their light weight and ease of installation when compared to other roof tile types. Our metal roof cost calculator can help get an accurate estimate before you talk to the pros.
Copper Tiles
One of the most beautiful types of metal roof tiles is copper tiles, which lend a gleaming orange or bronze color to a home’s roof. These attractive tiles are exceptionally durable, since copper resists corrosion and rust better than other types of metal, and ages beautifully as well. Aside from slate, copper tiles are one of the most expensive types of roof tiles, since the metal itself is a premium material. Like metal roofs, copper roof tiles don’t add much in the way of insulation, which is why they’re more likely to be used in warmer climates.
Cedar Shake Tiles
A staple of homes in New England, beautiful cedar shake tiles lend an Old World vibe to any home. There are both cedar shakes and cedar shingles, and there are slight differences between these two products. Over time, cedar shakes fade from the signature orange color of cedar to a stately gray hue, which adds to their rustic charm.
These roof tiles are naturally resistant to pests, as all cedar wood is, and they’re relatively durable, lasting as long as 40 to 50 years before replacement becomes necessary. That said, cedar is wood, which means over time it will become susceptible to warping, cupping and curling from standing water, and can be prone to moss and mildew growth. Homeowners considering cedar shake roofing should be aware that this type of roof tile requires more routine maintenance and cleaning than just about any other type of roof. Check out our cedar shake roof cost calculator to get your roof estimate.
Concrete Tiles
Concrete tiles are most often manufactured to resemble other types of roof tiles, like wood shakes, clay tiles, and slate tiles. The biggest benefit of concrete tiles is their low price point compared to other roof tile types, since concrete is widely available and easy to mix. Most concrete tiles are gray, but these roofing tiles come in a variety of colors thanks to modernized production methods. Despite these advantages, this roof tile type is extremely heavy, similar to slate tiles, and requires a roofing professional who has plenty of experience working with and installing concrete roof tiles. Like clay tiles, concrete is durable and long-lasting but susceptible to breaking under direct impact.
Solar Tiles
Solar shingles, or solar roof tiles, absorb and convert the sun’s energy to make electricity for a home. They’re not meant to be aesthetically pleasing, but they can sit on top of or replace existing roofing material. Solar tiles are often installed in strips or sections on a roof, rather than covering the entire roof. They channel the sun’s energy into a battery assembly inside the home. Solar tiles are considered a very expensive roofing option, but over time, they can drastically reduce a home’s energy bills. Solar roof tiles require an experienced professional to install and maintain them. Our solar roof calculator can help you get an accurate and free estimate!
Fact Checked by Christin Perry 8/16/2024