Clay and concrete tile roof covering installation with structural load-bearing calculation, precise battens, and ridge ventilation - a classic look and a long service life for your home.
A tile roof is the choice for anyone who values a traditional, architecturally mature look and a material with a proven track record spanning decades. It's more common on individual homes with higher design standards and a long-term investment mindset - not as a quick or budget fix.
Since tiles are heavier than metal or bitumen coverings, they require a matching rafter structure - either already designed for that load, or reinforced on an existing building. That's why a tile roof is often chosen already at the new-build design stage, not always as a later choice for an existing structure.
A tile roof does more than serve as a covering - it also adds to the building's visual character and market value.
A correctly installed tile covering outlasts most alternative materials.
A classic texture and form that suits both traditional and premium builds.
Resistant to UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycles, and mechanical damage over the long term.
Checking the rafters' load-bearing capacity against the weight of the chosen tile type.
A waterproofing membrane beneath the battens that protects against wind and condensation.
A two-layer timber structure with batten spacing matched to the specific tile model's dimensions.
Fixing each tile against wind load according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Ridge elements with a built-in ventilation solution so the roof structure can keep drying out.
Sealing the edge verges and chimney details with the appropriate tile elements.
A tile roof system requires more layers than lighter coverings - the higher the load, the more precise the build needs to be.
The load-bearing structure, calculated and reinforced as needed for the tile load.
Waterproofing beneath the battens that protects the structure from water entering through the tile joints.
Vertical battens that create the ventilation gap between the membrane and the main battens.
Horizontal battens positioned exactly to the specific tile model's dimension table.
Clay or concrete tiles laid in rows with correct overlap and fixing in wind-exposed zones.
Ridge tiles with a ventilation strip that keeps the roof structure continuously drying out.
Two main tile types - differing in weight, price, and how well their appearance holds up over time.
Fired at high temperature, which gives them a characteristic density and color stability - the color doesn't fade in the sun, since it's built into the material itself rather than a surface coating. Lighter than concrete tiles, but more expensive to buy. Suitable for both traditional and higher-end builds.
Made from a mix of cement, sand, and pigment, coated with a colored surface layer. Heavier than clay tiles, requiring a more careful structural load check, but more affordable and available in a wider range of shapes and colors. A good choice when balancing cost and appearance matters.
A tile roof's longevity depends most on two factors - ridge ventilation and precise structural load distribution. The ridge detail needs ventilated ridge tiles or a ventilation strip so the roof structure can keep drying out continuously, preventing mold or condensation from forming beneath the covering.
At chimney and verge details, tile roofs need additional sheet-metal waterproofing - the tile shape alone doesn't provide full sealing at irregular details. That's why we install additional waterproofing flashing under and around the tile rows at every such point.
Assessing rafter load capacity and roof pitch for the chosen tile type.
Confirming material, color, and quantity, then placing the order.
Breather membrane, counter-battens, and battens matched to the specific tile size.
Row-by-row installation from eaves to ridge with correct overlap and fixing.
Ridge ventilation elements, verge and chimney waterproofing.
Quality control, site clean-up, warranty documents.
Before laying the tiles, we check the batten spacing and the counter-batten ventilation gap in every roof section. During installation, we monitor each row's overlap and fixing in wind-exposed zones - especially at the roof edges and ridge, where the load on individual tiles is greater.
At handover, we check the continuity of the ridge ventilation, the water-tightness of the chimney and verge waterproofing, and visually assess row alignment. We photograph critical details before and after finishing, so the work quality stays verifiable later on.
We prepare an exact quote after a site assessment - here are the main factors that affect price.
Clay tiles usually cost more than concrete, affecting the total material cost.
If the existing structure wasn't designed for tile load, additional work and material is needed.
Total covering area, along with multiple pitches and ridge details, increases the amount of work.
Chimneys, roof windows, and multiple ridges increase the waterproofing and finishing work involved.
Tile roof installation on an average single-family home usually takes 6-12 working days - longer than lighter coverings, since each tile is laid and fixed individually.
A written warranty on the installation work, plus the manufacturer's warranty on the tile material. Terms are described on our warranty page.
Structural reinforcement and a full concrete tile roof installation with a ridge ventilation solution.
Clay (ceramic) tiles are fired at high temperature, are lighter, and keep their color long-term without fading, but cost more. Concrete tiles are heavier, more affordable, and available in a wider range of colors and shapes, though the surface color may fade slightly over time.
No - tiles are considerably heavier than metal or bitumen coverings, so before installation we always assess the load-bearing capacity of the rafter structure. If the building was designed for a lighter covering, structural reinforcement may be needed.
Tile roofs generally need a pitch of at least 22-25 degrees to ensure proper water run-off and reduce the risk of snow driving in under the covering. The exact minimum pitch is set by the specific tile model's manufacturer specification.
Clay tile roofs can last 50-100 years, concrete tiles typically 30-50 years. The actual service life depends on installation quality, the battens, and the ridge ventilation solution.
We'll come out, assess the structural load-bearing capacity, and prepare a clear quote with a tile selection and detail solutions.