Concrete Roof Tiles as a Sustainable Material: Pros and Cons

Concrete roof tiles are made from all-natural, locally sourced elements such as sand, cement, water, and iron oxide colors. Because of the lower fuel consumption to and from the manufacturing plant, concrete roof tiles are even more environmentally friendly.

Studies also reveal that concrete roof tiles have a considerably longer lifespan than any other roofing material, requiring only one re-roofing in a 75-year period. Concrete roof tiles also increase strength over time, allowing them to outperform other roofing materials in adverse weather, like typhoons and wind storms. 

Because of their recyclability, intrinsic energy efficiency features, and unparalleled lifespan, they have become the epitome of green building and sustainability. However, just like a coin and everything else, there will always be two sides; the pros and cons. 

PROS:

1. Style and Versatility

Image Source: Freepik

Concrete, which can mimic more expensive materials like slate and clay roofing tile, is the most adaptable material with tiles. Concrete tile can even mimic the look of cedar shakes. Flat tile, with its shallow depth, provides a clean design that works in almost any home. Medium profile tiles evoke scenes of Mediterranean architecture. High-profile tiles, also known as high barrel tiles, are reminiscent of the beloved terracotta tiles seen on Spanish rooftops.

Whatever your own preferences, there’s a concrete tile to suit them.

RELATED: 4 Innovative Roofing Materials to Consider for Your Home

2. Longevity and Value

Concrete’s inherent toughness translates to a long lifespan of at least 50 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders, which is significantly longer than usual alternatives. You will save money in the long term since you will not have to replace your concrete tile roof as often, if at all, as you would with other materials. You might also consider the value of your tiles if you decide to sell your home.

The structure of their placement atop battens produces air passages beneath individual tiles, besides their exceptional thermal qualities that slowly collect and emit heat. These channels serve as an additional layer of insulation, allowing you to save energy in both hot and cold conditions.

3. Durability

Image Source: Water Proofing

Concrete tiles have a Class A fire rating, are pest and rot resistant, and can endure winds of up to 150 mph. Concrete tiles, according to the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance, also satisfy seismic load criteria, meaning they can withstand earthquakes.

Overall, concrete tiles are among the highest-quality roofing materials money can buy if you want great weather protection.

4. Sustainability

Concrete is an extremely environmentally friendly roofing option because it requires little maintenance and is made of all-natural, ready-to-recycle components.

You can assist reduce landfill waste by choosing a durable, recyclable material like concrete. Concrete roof tiles are an excellent option for the environmentally aware homeowner.

CONS:

1. Physical Appearance

Concrete roof tiles are available in a wide range of styles and designs, allowing homeowners to select roofing tiles to match their home’s décor.

These patterns, colors, and designs, like other materials, can fade over time, especially if exposed to extreme weather. High heat, heavy rain, and strong winds all hasten tile disintegration, leaving you with a drab, unappealing roof. Of course, the roof can be repainted, but it adds to the upkeep and cost of concrete roof tiles.

2. Fragility

Image Source: Vivify Roofing

Concrete roof tiles aren’t indestructible, despite their resistance to fire, severe winds, and rot. Tiles can be cracked by falling tree branches, strong hail, and foot activity, requiring immediate replacement to avoid exposing your underlayment to water.

If you live in a thickly wooded location, consider removing trees that overhang your roof before installing tiles to lessen the risk of damaged tiles following a major storm.

RELATED: 5 Roofing Materials Compared According to their Sustainability

3. Weight

The enormous weight of concrete roof tiles is one of their drawbacks. Concrete roof tiles are substantially heavier than other roofing materials, such as asphalt, clay, composite, and metal. These can weigh anything from 820 to 1,1100 pounds per 100 square feet, adding to the total weight of the house.

This means that any home with concrete tile roofing must have sufficient structural support to withstand the weight. 

4. The Level of Maintenance

Image Source: DIYnot

Concrete roof tiles require regular maintenance as well. While they have Class A fire ratings, they can still be damaged by impacts, such as falling limbs. As a result, certain individual concrete tiles may need to be replaced, which can be difficult owing to color variations caused by tile fading and tile weight difficulties.

Apart from finding and fixing cracked tiles and removing debris that is obstructing water flow, you will want to remove any mildew, grime, or algae that has formed on your roof to maintain its original appearance.

5. Cost

Image Source: Freepik

Although concrete roof tiles are not expensive themselves, there are various factors that might increase the cost of concrete roofing tiles.

To begin, you may need to do additional work to your property in order for it to physically sustain a concrete tile roof, besides purchasing the product and hiring a roofing contractor. After that, you may either repaint them or replace any that have cracked if they have faded. Of course, we must replace the underlayment material every 20 years, which is an additional expenditure.

Subscribe now to see more content like this in the future! 

CITATIONS:

• Eagle Roofing. (2019, May 2). Concrete Roof Tiles – A Sustainable Roofing Material. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://eagleroofing.com/2019/05/concrete-roof-tiles-a-sustainable-roofing-material/
• Wisniewski, J. (2020, November 16). Concrete roof tiles: 10 pros and cons. Roofing Calculator. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://roofingcalculator.com/news/pros-and-cons-of-concrete-tiles
• Webmaster. (2021, November 2). Six problems with concrete roof tiles & a sustainable alternatives. Waterproofing.Com.Sg. Retrieved May 13, 2022, from https://waterproofing.com.sg/six-problems-with-concrete-roof-tiles-a-sustainable-alternatives/