Clay Tile Roof Inspection & Installation Details - Photo Guide
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Types of clay roofing tiles, life expectancy, installation details
Photographs of types of clay tile roofs in the U.S, Korea, Norway, Mexico and other countries
Clay tile roof inspection, failures, repair, product defects
Roof inspection, leak detection, roof diagnosis, roof repair
Key design details & references for clay roofing tiles
Duralita & other clay roof tile alternative products
Sources of clay roofing tiles, clay roof tile manufacturers' list
Questions & answers about clay tile roof installation, maintenance, inspection & repairs

Clay tile roofs: This article explains clay tile roofing types, clay roofing tile inspection, tile roofing diagnosis, & tile roof repair.

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Our page top photo shows clay roofing tiles installed in Patzcuaro, Mexico. Clay roofing tiles have been used in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, since the Greek and Roman Empires, and the Americas since Europeans arrived there. This roofing material is costly to purchase and install, but it can have an indefinite life expectancy.

As we discussed at SLATE ROOF INSPECTION & REPAIR, the fasteners or metal flashings on clay tile roofs are more likely to wear out than the tiles themselves. However clay tile roofs are often damaged by foot traffic, ice and snow, or by severe storms. Also see CLAY TILE ROOF STYLES, DESIGNS for detailed descriptions of different clay roof tile styles and characteristics, and see ROOFING TILE SHAPES & PROFILES for the basics of roof tile profiles and what they mean.

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Clay Roofing Tile Types

Real clay tile roofs compared with cosmetic clay tile roofs:

The clay roof tile systems we discuss in this article series are "real" clay tile roofs on which the tiles themselves are intended to provide the water shedding and drainage necessary to form a dry covering over a building.

At left the very damaged clay tile roof depended on the tiles themselves to carry away rainfall. But other roofs use clay tiles to protect a waterproof underlayment from sun and for aesthetic reasons.

Such "cosmetic" clay tile roofs are commonly installed in some areas (Boca Raton, Florida) over a completely functional waterproof membrane.

Cosmetic clay tile roofs also protect the roof membrane from deterioration from sunlight, but the tiles themselves are not forming the waterproof covering.

A Little History of Clay Roofing Tiles in the U.S & Other Countries

Clay roof tiles have been used since Roman times, are still widely used in Europe, Asia, throughout North America as well.

Our photo (left, by the author DF- 1966) shows decorative clay roofing on Yongnyong-jon hall, a Korean shrine forming part of the oldest shrine in Korea Jeongjeon, the Jongmyo Confucian shrine constructedby King Jaejo beginning in 1394. Koreans believed that the royal spirits achieved peace only after their tablets were brought here from Chongjon. Thus, Chongjon enshrined the souls still roaming the earth, while Yongnyong held those who had achieved eternal rest.

As NPS historic preservation expert Sweetser points out,

European settlers used clay tile for roofing as early as the mid-17th century; many pantiles (S-curved tiles), as well as flat roofing tiles, were used in Jamestown, Virginia. In some cities such as New York and Boston, clay was popularly used as a precaution against such fires as those that engulfed London in 1666 and scorched Boston in 1679.

Tile[s] roofs found in the mid-18th century Moravian settlements in Pennsylvania closely resembled those found in Germany. Typically, the tiles were 1415" long, 67" wide with a curved butt. A lug on the back allowed the tiles to hang on the lathing without nails or pegs. The tile surface was usually scored with finger marks to promote drainage. In the Southwest, the tile roofs of the Spanish missionaries (mission tiles) were first manufactured (ca. 1780) at the Mission San Antonio de Padua in California. These semicircular tiles were made by molding clay over sections of logs, and they were generally 22" long and tapered in width.

The plain or flat rectangular tiles most commonly used from the 17th through the beginning of the 19th century measured about 10" by 6" by 1/2," and had two holes at one end for a nail or peg fastener. Sometimes mortar was applied between the courses to secure the tiles in a heavy wind.

In the mid-19th century, tile roofs were often replaced by sheet-metal roofs, which were lighter and easier to install and maintain. However, by the turn of the century, the Romanesque Revival and Mission style buildings created a new demand and popularity for this picturesque roofing material.

Our glazed roof tiles shown below were on homes in freezing climates of Norway (below left) and Duluth, MN (below right). Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction points out that

To make tiles, moist clay is extruded through a die or cast in a mold and then fired in a kiln until the clay “vitrifies,” fusing the particles together. Complete vitrification will create a strong tile with very low water absorption, which protects tile from freeze-thaw damage in cold climates or damage from salt air in coastal areas. Where regular freeze-thaw cycling is expected, roof tiles should comply with ASTM C1167 Grade 1, which allows minimal water absorption. Grade II tile provides moderate resistance to frost action, and Grade III tile is porous and should not be used in freeze-thaw areas.

Glazed clay roof tiles in Norway (C) Daniel Friedman

Glazed clay roof tiles in Duluth Minnesota (C) Daniel Friedman

Clay roof tiles, typically 7" x 13" are 1/4" to 1/2" in thickness and are shaped in molds and fired in a kiln to 2000 degF to cause the clay to vitrify. The vitrification (glasification) process makes the tiles hard and waterproof by melting and fusing silicas and aluminas in the clay. Clay roofing tile surfaces may also be decorated with an embossed pattern to resemble wood, slate, or stone. Un-glazed tiles are terra-cotta red, a color provided by iron oxide in the clay.

Clay roof tiles may also be made with a colored glaze, adding both color and an additional layer of hard surface protection. While traditional clay tile glazing was performed by hand dipping and pouring glazing compound over the tiles, Carson Dunlop point out in their Home Study Course for home inspectors, since the 1970's glazing on clay tiles has been spray applied and the tile backs are left un-glazed, both reducing tile cost and permitting moisture to escape from the back surface of the tile.

Higher quality clay roofing tiles are kiln fired to a higher temperature, are harder, less porous, and thus more durable. Inexpensive clay roofing tiles that are fired to lower temperatures insufficient to achieve vitrification are soft, easy to break, and less water resistant.

Description of Tapered Mission Clay Tiles & Barrel Mission Clay Roofing Tiles

Clay tile - tapered mission style (C) Carson Dunlop

Clay tile barrell mission style straight (C) Carson Dunlop

Carson Dunlop's sketch (left) illustrates the traditional tapered mission style clay roof tiles, and at right, the less-rounded barrel-mission style clay roof tiles.

Description of S-style Clay Roofing Tiles & Flat Rectangular Interlocking Clay Roof Tiles

S-style clay roofint tiles (C) Carson Dunlop

Interlocking clay shingle-tiles (C) Daniel Friedman

Carson Dunlop's sketch (left) illustrates the Spanish roofing tile that is roughly "S" shaped, including the pan or drainage trough on the left side of the tile and the raised tile surface on its right side. Variations of these interlocking tiles include a lower-profile "S" tile and also Greek and Roman clay roof tiles.

All of the rounded mission tile roofing materials need to be enclosed at the eaves or lower roof edge to avoid blowing rain and wind (wind-lift damage) and animal entry. Tile end closure is discussed at How clay roofing tiles are secured.

Interlocking clay roof tile (C) Daniel Friedman

Our photo (left) and Carson Dunlop's sketch (above right) illustrate a typical interlocking roofing tile that is flat.

In our photo you can see metal tabs that mark the location of inserted replacement or repair clay tiles. The tabs should be bent up over the tile edges but appeared to have been flattened by snow sliding down the roof.

This clay tile roof was located near New York City. Lots of these tiles were broken, particularly on the low slope roof section: we suspected some of the clay tile roof damage was due to foot traffic.

See ROOF INSPECTION SAFETY & LIMITS where we provide more photographs of this roof (Walking on Clay Roofs) and This article explains roof safety and roof damage issues when inspecting, repairing, or otherwise walking on clay tiles as well as other roof materials such as asphalt, slate, and wood roofs.

We recommend against walking on clay tile roofs as you are likely to damage the roof leading to the need for costly repairs. Our photo of broken clay roof shingle-tiles (above right) was taken during an inspection made without walking on the roof surface - for obvious reasons: we didn't want to shoulder the blame for this damage. our photo of a tarred roof valley and damaged interlocking clay roof tiles (above left) was taken from a ladder at roof edge.

Also see CLAY TILE ROOF STYLES, DESIGNS for detailed descriptions of different clay roof tile styles and characteristics, and see ROOFING TILE SHAPES & PROFILES for the basics of roof tile profiles and what they mean.

How Clay Roof Tiles are Secured On the Roof & Open Eaves Closed

The illustrations of of how clay roof tiles are secured (below left) and of typical eaves closure of the open ends of Spanish or mission style roof tiles was provided courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates. Additional details are at CLAY TILE ROOF CONNECTIONS.

Clay tile fastening systems (C) Carson Dunlop Assoc.

Description of Duralita Cardboard-reinforced Cement Roofing Tiles & Corrugated Roofing Products

Duralita cardboard reinforced cement roofing (C) Daniel Friedman

Duralita, an alternative to both clay roofing tiles as well as other fiber reinforced cement roofing products is produced in El Salvador and used widely throughout central america and north americ. Duralita is a series of brightly-colored cardboard-reinforced cement corrugated roofing products produced by the Duralita, manufacturer of the same name. From the ground Duralita resembles clay roofing tiles.

Panels of Duralita are secured using fiber or rubber washers and threaded rods or bolts.

Duralita tejalitas are sheets of reinforced concrete that are intended to resemble roof tiles.

Corrugated cardboard cement products of the same composition, Lámina, are sold in sheets of various sizes and similar colors.

You can see an installation of Duralita at the Posada del Bosque Encantado, a hotel operated by our acquaintance Terry Rubin who was kind enough to inform us about this product.

Other examples of corrugated roofing products (that do not look like clay roof tiles) can be seen at Corrugated Cement-Asbestos Roofing.

Clay Roof Tile Sources & Manufacturers

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction lists these producers and sources of clay roofing tilies, roof tile fastening systems, and related clay roofing products

Altusa, Clay Forever LLC, website: www.altusa.com
Ludowici Roof Tile, website: www.ludowici.com
MCA Clay Tile, website: www.mca-tile.com
U.S. Tile Co., website: www.ustile.com
Santafe Tile has been a manufacturer of clay roof tiles for over 18 years, supplying Florida, Texas, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee and Hawaii. Website: www.santafetile.com, Contact: Andrea Pascual, Sales & Marketing Manager, 1-888-305-TILE (8453), Email: arodriguez@santafetile.com

Clay Roofing Tile Fasteners & Adhesives - Sources & Manufacturers

Dow Building Products, website: www.dow.com/buildingproducts
Tile Bond polyurethane foam tile adhesive
Duralita: produces cement & cardboard corrugated and clay tile-like roofing products: Duralita is a combination of cement and cardboard - see www.duralita.com/ Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor escribanos a: sales@duralita.com - El Salvador: +503 22.25.57.44 ext.31 USA +1 305.677.3597
Fomo Products, website: www.fomo.com
Handi-Stick polyurethane foam tile adhesive
Newport Fastener, website: www.newportfastener.com
Twisted wire systems, hurricane clips, nose clips,
and the Tyle-Tye TileNail
OSI Sealants, website: www.osisealants.com
RT 600 synthetic rubber tile adhesive
Polyfoam Products, website: www.polyfoam.cc
Polyset and Polyset One polyurethane foam
tile adhesives
Wire works, Inc., website: www.wireworks-inc.com
Tile hooks, hook nails, copper and stainless-steel nails

-- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.

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CLAY TILE ROOFING
  Clay Roofing Tile Types
    S-style Clay & Flat Rectangular Tiles
    Tapered & Barrel Mission Tiles
    Duralita Tile Roof Alternative
  CLAY TILE ROOF STYLES, DESIGNS
  CLAY TILE ROOF SPECIFICATIONS
  CLAY TILE ROOF SLOPE, DECK & UNDERLAY
  CLAY TILE ROOF BATTENS & STACKING
  CLAY TILE ROOF CONNECTIONS
  CLAY TILE WIND & SEISMIC CONNECTORS
  CLAY TILE EAVES, HIP & RAKE DETAILS
  FLASHING, CLAY TILE ROOFS
  CLAY TILE ROOF DAMAGE & WEAR
  ROOFING TILE SHAPES & PROFILES
  CLAY TILE ROOF SUPPLIERS
CLAY, CONCRETE, FIBER CEMENT ROOF TILES

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.

Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.

Duralita: produces cement & cardboard corrugated and clay tile-like roofing products: Duralita is a combination of cement and cardboard - see www.duralita.com/ Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor escribanos a: sales@duralita.com - El Salvador: +503 22.25.57.44 ext.31 USA +1 305.677.3597

Terry Rubin, proprietor of the Posada del Bosque Encantado can be contacted at gringamaya@yahoo.com or call (502) 5208-5334 or (502) 4146-1050 use 011 (502) from the US.

"Tile Roofs in Snow Country: The Natural Choice For Aesthetics and Durability Proper planning and installation ensure a tile roof with elegance, durability, and low maintenance for premier resort in Vail, Colorado", Mark Wennstedt, Source Products Group, 303 280-9595 - Web Search 07/12/2010 - Original Source http://pdfone.com/download/12_keyword-roof-shingles/tile-roofs-in-snow-country.pdf

Roof Tiling & Slating, a Practical Guide, Kevin Taylor, Crowood Press (2008), ISBN 978-1847970237,
If you have never fixed a roof tile or slate before but have wondered how to go about repairing or replacing them, then this is the book for you. Many of the technical books about roof tiling and slating are rather vague and conveniently ignore some of the trickier problems and how they can be resolved. In Roof Tiling and Slating, the author rejects this cautious approach. Kevin Taylor uses both his extensive knowledge of the trade and his ability to explain the subject in easily understandable terms, to demonstrate how to carry out the work safely to a high standard, using tried and tested methods.
This clay roof tile guide considers the various types of tiles, slates, and roofing materials on the market as well as their uses, how to estimate the required quantities, and where to buy them. It also discusses how to check and assess a roof and how to identify and rectify problems; describes how to efficiently "set out" roofs from small, simple jobs to larger and more complicated projects, thus making the work quicker, simpler, and neater; examines the correct and the incorrect ways of installing background materials such as underlay, battens, and valley liners; explains how to install interlocking tiles, plain tiles, and artificial and natural slates; covers both modern and traditional methods and skills, including cutting materials by hand without the assistance of power tools; and provides invaluable guidance on repairs and maintenance issues, and highlights common mistakes and how they can be avoided. The author, Kevin Taylor, works for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors as a technical manager presenting technical advice and providing education and training for young roofers.

Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728

Concrete Roofing Tile, History of the, Batsford, 1959, AISN B000HLLOUC (availble used)

Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.

Historic Slate Roofs : With How-to Info and Specifications, Tina Skinner (Ed), Schiffer Publishing, 2008, ISBN-10: 0764330012 , ISBN-13: 978-0764330018

Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)

The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).

Slate Roofing in Canada (Studi4es in archaeology, architecture, and history),

Tile Roofs of Alfred: A Clay Tradition in Alfred NY

"Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE

History of the Concrete Roofing Tile, Batsford, 1959, AISN B000HLLOUC (availble used)

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ^® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.

Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.

Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039

Handbook of Building Crafts in Conservation, Jack Bower, Ed., Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, NY 1981 ISBN 0-442-2135-3 Library of Congress Catalog Card Nr. 81-50643.

Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362

Historic Slate Roofs : With How-to Info and Specifications, Tina Skinner (Ed), Schiffer Publishing, 2008, ISBN-10: 0764330012 , ISBN-13: 978-0764330018

Problems in Roofing Design, B. Harrison McCampbell, Butterworth Heineman, 1991 ISBN 0-7506-9162-X (available used)

Roofing The Right Way, Steven Bolt, McGraw-Hill Professional; 3rd Ed (1996), ISBN-10: 0070066507, ISBN-13: 978-0070066502

Slate Roofs, National Slate Association, 1926, reprinted 1977 by Vermont Structural Slate Co., Inc., Fair Haven, VT 05743, 802-265-4933/34. (We recommend this book if you can find it. It has gone in and out of print on occasion.)

The Slate Roof Bible, Joseph Jenkins, www.jenkinsslate.com, 143 Forest Lane, PO Box 607, Grove City, PA 16127 - 866-641-7141 (We recommend this book).

Slate Roofing in Canada (Studi4es in archaeology, architecture, and history),

Smart Guide: Roofing: Step-by-Step Projects, Creative Homeowner (Ed), 2004, ISBN-10: 1580111491, ISBN-13: 978-1580111492

Solar heating, radiative cooling and thermal movement: Their effects on built-up roofing (United States. National Bureau of Standards. Technical note), William C Cullen, Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Govt. Print. Off (1963), ASIN: B0007FTV2Q

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Clay Roofing Tile Types

A Little History of Clay Roofing Tiles in the U.S & Other Countries

Description of Tapered Mission Clay Tiles & Barrel Mission Clay Roofing Tiles

Description of S-style Clay Roofing Tiles & Flat Rectangular Interlocking Clay Roof Tiles

How Clay Roof Tiles are Secured On the Roof & Open Eaves Closed

Description of Duralita Cardboard-reinforced Cement Roofing Tiles & Corrugated Roofing Products

Clay Roof Tile Sources & Manufacturers

Clay Roofing Tile Fasteners & Adhesives - Sources & Manufacturers

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair