Tile roofing, in fact, has practically defined the architectural styles or Spanish cultures, and is the most popular roofing today in both the Southwestern United States and in South America. But the history of tile roofing is so long and so varied that it has given rise to many misconceptions, and any homeowner considering the addition of a tile roof should have correct information on tile roofing before proceeding. So we'll try to clear up some of the most obvious mistakes in this article.



If you're an avid fan of martial arts movies in which the hidden dragon and the crouching tiger fly through the air e in pursuit of their enemies, to land on tile roofs which immediately loosen and begin sliding to the grounds, chalk it up to dramatic license. Tile roofing is always attached to a roof so securely that it can withstand both high winds and sever rain or hail, and it would never work loose simply because someone had to move around on its surface. How do you think it would ever be repaired if that were the case?

Another unfortunate indignity tile roofing has suffered at the hands of Hollywood is that it always seems to be presented in a particularly garish shade of red. The reality is that tile roofing can be manufactured in a huge array of colors, so you will have no trouble finding a shade to complement your home.

If you want a roof which may very well outlast you, then you should be looking at clay or concrete tile roofing. Both of these types of tile roofing are cheaper than slate, but like slate will last for between fifty and a hundred years with proper care. Some of the oldest buildings in Asia have their original tile roofing, which is as waterproof today as on the day it was installed. A good tile roof may actually survive the building on which it sits, as compared to asphalt shingles which start deteriorating the moment they are nailed to a roof!

You may not realize it, but there is no roofing material safer than tile roofing. Tile roofing has been rated with the highest "Class A" fire resistance rating. This means that having tile roofing will not only reduce the possibility of your losing your home, or even your life, to a fire; it means you have an excellent chance of having your home insurance premiums lowered.

Tile roofing is also still extremely popular in California, not only because of its Spanish look, but because it can handle the stress of earthquakes. It can also shrug off ice storms and hailstones the size of which would shred a shingle roof.

The final myth to debunk is that tile roofs require expensively reinforced homes to bear their weight. But the tile of the 21st century is now manufactured to be much lighter than ancient tiles, without sacrificing any of its strength, and any well-constructed home should be up to supporting a tile roof!