A critical detail that many homeowners fail to consider when choosing roofing materials is weight and what their roof can support.
This is a prime concern for tile roofing services, as it is a factor that frequently limits the ability to install beautiful tile roofing on some homes.
Fortunately, experienced tile roofers know what to look for when inspecting a home prior to installing any type of tile and there are methods available to improve these roofs so that tile can be installed.
Weight of Metal and Asphalt Shingles
Roofing weight matters, so the best way to illustrate this fact prior to hiring tile roofing companies to do an installation is to compare the weight of common roofing products.
The two most commonly installed materials are metal roofing, at a weight of ~125 lbs per square, and asphalt shingles, ranging from 300 to 450 lbs per square depending on the product.
Since these are the most commonly installed products, it is safe to say that every structurally sound home out there can support this weight; however, going beyond these two is a different story.
Weight of Clay and Concrete Tiles
Both clay and concrete tiles installed by a tile roofing company have a weight range of between 600 and 1000 lbs per square, which can be more than twice that of the heaviest premium dimensional asphalt shingles.
It is even heavier than a wood shake roof, which has an upper range of about 600 lbs per square.
The only heavier roof out there is slate, which can range from 900 to 3000 lbs per square depending on the shingle thickness.
Considering the fact that these heavier roofs are frequently optional choices by homeowners, standard construction homes may not be built with a roofing structure that is able to support this much weight.
What Options do Homeowners Have?
What does this mean for homeowners wishing to add a beautiful tile roof to their homes?
There are two options.
First, they can have an experienced tile roofing service come out and assess their roofing structure to determine whether it can bear the load of a tile installation and if not, have those tile roofers add any additionally required structural support.
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The other option that tile roofing companies can now offer is lighter-weight composite tile roofing that looks just like the real thing but without all the weight.
Synthetic look-alike tile designed specifically for homes that cannot support the weight of real ones gives every homeowner the chance to have the look of tile without the added expense of improving the roofing structure.
Ask A Tile Roofing Service For Help!
Regardless of the preferred solution, tile roofing is a specialty installation that should only be done by experienced tile roofers who know how to assess roof structure and how well the weight of ceramic or clay tiles can be supported.
A reputable tile roofing service will find the best solution to give their customers the gorgeous and stylish tile roof they desire!