Roofing Tiles | Marley roof tiles

A guide to roofing tiles

Roof tiles are historically made from slate or terracotta, which is Italian for “baked earth”, traditionally referred to as clay tiles. Both roofing materials have been used in building for centuries.

Roofing slates are popular as a roofing material due to their waterproof qualities and durability (they can last for centuries with virtually zero maintenance). It also has the lowest embodied energy of all roofing materials. Back in time, in the medieval village of Conques in France, the inhabitants just had to retrieve their already made tiles from the local river.

Welsh or flat roof tile

Same material, different design. This roof tile gives a much tidier visual appearance. They are square and flat, with thick lines that allow rainwater to fall.

They are also thicker and more stable because they do not have curvature. They are easy to install on your roof and, like the Roman ones, require less material.

Concrete tiles for roofs

You will usually find those in colder climates since they are more resistant to frost and winds. They have greater weight and mechanical resistance. Also, they absorb water better.

In addition, its price is lower than that of ceramic tiles. The average life of fifty years is calculated, as long as basic roof care is applied. They can be purchased in different colours, depending on the client’s taste and the type of cover you are looking for.

Wooden roof tiles

They provide a rustic and cosy look. Installed correctly, they represent great protection for the house. This may be a risk to fungi and natural agents that affect the wood, so they need to be treated. They have a shorter lifespan and required more maintenance.

Sandtoft roof tiles

Sandtoft (roof tile suppliers) is basically made of concrete or clay that is small and rectangular in shape. This product is mostly related to curved roof applications. A combination of a wide range of sandtoft concrete and clay roof tile will give your home a modern iconic finish with promising durability and longevity.

Roof Shingles

Arabic tiles are also known as roof shingles for roof because of their characteristic truncated shape, with a pronounced curvature. Roof shingles are used only for sloping roofs because it lets rainwater run very easily. They are made of cooked mud.

What is the cost of roof tiles?

The installation cost of a typical 2000 sq ft tile roof is £15000 to £35000. The cost will fluctuate depending on the material, the roof pitch, and ease of access.

In the UK, the cost of slate tiles ranges from £1 to £2.5 per tiles. Likewise, clay tiles price ranges from £0.5 to £0.70 per tile. Concrete tiles are £0.5 to £1.8 per tile.

Most of the time, homeowners will retile their roofs on a once off basis to replace damaged or broken tiles. Replacing slipped or missing tiles cost £100 to £300. Replacing ridged tiles will cost you £100 to £350.

How long do roofing tiles last in the UK?

The minimum life expectancy of roof tiles made from clay or concrete is sixty years. However, the underlay will not have the exact same lifespan (something between 40-50 years).

Here's a video explainer on how to tile a roof: