Unless you work in the building trade, you probably won’t have given much thought to different roof tile types. And you may not be aware how many more options there are today, besides traditional materials like slate and clay.
Our simple guide is a great place to start. We’ll look at the main kinds of roof tile used in the UK today, plus the top factors to consider when making your choice.
The types of roof tiles
We’ll start with a look at the pros and cons of some common roof tile types.
Slate
Slate is probably one of the first roof tile materials that comes to mind. As well as being aesthetically appealing, it’s also incredibly durable, lasting up to 150 years. Being a natural material makes it relatively low impact, and it can often be repurposed.
However, one disadvantage is weight. As slate is heavy, roof decks may need to be reinforced before tiles can be fitted. This inevitably bumps up the cost, meaning it’s far from a budget option.
Concrete
Concrete roof tiles are a popular choice because they’re cost effective, easy to install and weather resistant. They also come in a range of colours and styles to suit your home. By its nature, concrete is porous, which can lead to water damage and mould, but concrete tiles are treated with a protective, weatherproof layer before being fitted to your roof.
The tiles last around 50 years, which is significantly lower than slate and they are also heavy, so might not be the best option for older properties. The colour of the tiles can also fade over the years.
Clay
Clay roof tiles stand out because they’re visually stunning. Their history goes back to China in 10,000 BC where they were likely made by hand. Today they remain a popular choice for homeowners, recognised by their terracotta hue.
The tiles are produced using clay and water, before being fired in a kiln. This leaves behind a durable and weatherproof tile suitable for the UK’s stormy weather. But like concrete, they are heavy compared to lightweight options like plastic or composite. They are also expensive.
Plastic
We’ve seen huge advances in construction materials over the last decade or so. Plastic roof tiles are one innovation that’s here to stay: they’re lightweight, hardwearing, cost-effective, and super easy to maintain.
Weight-wise, plastic has a clear advantage over materials like slate and concrete. One readily available option, Envirotile, weighs 80% less than traditional slate and is much easier to handle and install.
Envirotile is also manufactured from 75% recycled materials and is tested to withstand winds up to 147mph. It has anti-fungal properties to prevent the build up of mould and keep your roof looking fresh, while the finish resembles premium slate tiles. It’s perfect for garages, extensions and timber-frame buildings.
One of the few cons of choosing plastic roof tiles is that, despite being hardwearing, they have a shorter lifespan of around 20-60 years.
Composite
Composite roof tiles are made from a mixture of natural and synthetic materials. Again, they offer plenty of advantages over traditional materials, being lightweight, impact and weather resistant, low maintenance and easy to install.
They look great too. For an example, take a look at this one from Tapco. Tiles come in a range of attractive, earthy colours, and a clever moulding process gives the gently weathered appearance of natural slate.
There's also Slateskin sheet roof tiles that are fully water resistant, strong and guaranteed for up to 25 years. The tiles are manufactured from glass reinforced plastic (GRP), which is incredibly tough and lightweight. Best of all, it has the appearance of luxury slate tiles – most people can’t tell the difference.
Double tile
Double tiles are ideal for completing long runs or sections and make the process even speedier. They can also be cut to use at gable ends.
Half tile
Half tiles, also known as gable tiles, are designed for use on the gable end of a pitched roof or around roof windows, abutments and flashings.
Roof tile colour options
Colour may also be a factor in deciding which kind of roof tiles to go for. Plastic and composite tiles come in a full range of colours to mimic those made from natural slate, terracotta and clay. You’ll find everything from warm-toned reds and browns to cool anthracite and slate grey, complete with subtle variations in colour and texture.
Roof tile prices
Costs vary quite a lot and depend on the type of roof tile you go for. According to Checkatrade, roofing materials cost an average of £50 per square metre. Add on average labour costs (£130 per square metre) and a new roof in the UK costs an average of £13,000.
Things to consider when choosing your roof tiles
Below are just a few points to consider when choosing your tiles:
- Budget
Prices will vary according to roof tile type and quality. Rather than opting for the cheapest roof tiles available, think about value in terms of the investment you’re making into your home.
- Lifespan
Here, we recommend weighing up the anticipated lifespan of the tiles with the cost of buying and installing them. Look for product guarantees as an indicator of quality.
- Installation
A roof that’s easier to fit will be quicker, saving time, money and effort. Most synthetic and composite tiles are designed to interlock neatly together, making them around 25% faster to install than conventional roof tiles.
- Maintenance
All roofs should be checked periodically for broken or loose tiles, damaged flashing and blocked gutters. Tiles made of porous materials should also be protected with a water-resistant sealer to slow the growth of moss and lichen.
- Weight
Synthetic and composite roof tiles are lightweight, weighing under 20kg per square metre. This is a benefit when working with older buildings and makes installation easier.
- Sustainability
Most plastic roof tiles, including Envirotile lightweight roof tiles, are manufactured using sustainable materials.
- Roof pitch
While traditional roof tiles may not be suitable for low-pitched roofs, synthetic alternatives can be fitted on pitches as low as 12.5°.
Replacing a roof tile
All kinds of roof tile can crack, dislodge or deteriorate over time – usually due to heavy winds, moisture and frost. Checkatrade gives an average cost of £170 for replacing up to five tiles, assuming these are easily sourced and scaffolding isn’t needed.
Envirotile plastic roof tiles are designed for durability, helping keep any breakage to a minimum. Once installed, the unique interlocking system means they stay in place. We even offer a free replacement service for any tiles dislodged by gale-force winds up to 65mph.
Steps to tiling a roof
Can you tile a roof yourself? If you’re a competent DIYer, it’s possible. If you’re thinking about an Envirotile roofing system, take a look at our step-by-step installation guide to see what’s involved.
1. Fitting the underlay
Roofing underlay gives extra protection against moisture and external weathering. First, check that the rafters are free of splinters, cracks and loose nails. Starting at the bottom, lay the first membrane roll across the trusses. Secure one end and lay it evenly, but not too tightly, before securing the other side.
2. Laying the battens
Next, you need to install timber battens to provide a solid surface for the roof tiles to sit on. It’s important that the battens are spaced correctly for the tiles you’re using and the pitch of your roof, so check the manufacturer’s guidance.
3. Fixing the roof tiles
There are two methods of tiling. Wet fixing with mortar and cement is used to install concrete roof tiles. Dry fixing uses nails or fixings designed specifically for that tile type and is quicker to complete. If using nails, these should penetrate far enough to secure the tile to the batten, without piercing the underlay.
4. Fixing verge, ridge and hip tiles
A.k.a. the finishing touches. Verge units go along the edges, ridge tiles along the apex, and hip tiles cover the edges of hipped roofs (where all four sides slope downwards to the walls).
How to choose the best roof tiles
If you’re in the process of choosing roof tiles, there’s no shortage of options.
We hope this guide has given you some useful things to bear in mind when browsing our range of roof tiles. If you’d like extra help or need any niggling questions answering, get in touch with our team.