Tile roofing can do a lot of good for Bradenton homes—so long as it’s installed properly.
Once you’ve decided on a roof replacement and chosen your Bradenton roofing contractor, your next big decision becomes what kind of roofing material to have installed.
Despite our extreme weather potential in Florida, we actually have many viable roofing materials to choose from. These materials each come with their own pros and cons, and your choice will ultimately come down to what works for you, your family, and your budget.
Here, we’d like to highlight tile roofs. In our experience as long-time roofing contractors in Bradenton, we know that tile is a fantastic and actually versatile option that can provide amazing benefits for all kinds of local homes. Here’s what you can get from a tile roof.
Tile Roof Materials
When you see a tile roof in Florida, those individual tiles are likely made from one of three primary materials:
Clay: Many people, especially looking at southwest Florida’s Med-Rev homes, will assume the tiles are made from clay. And that’s valid! Clay (or terracotta) is a traditional tile roofing material, and it’s still a great option for today’s modern roofs.
Concrete: Believe it or not, some of the elegant curved tiles you see may very well be made of concrete or cement. Because modern manufacturing options allow us to mold and cure concrete in all kinds of shapes, it really is a valid, versatile option, even for elegant tile roofs.
Slate: Slate tile roofs are more likely to be considered for Northern homes, especially in the Northeast where slate mining is common.
Keep in mind that metal tiles are also an option. However, we’ll talk more about these when we get into the many advantages of metal as a roofing material.
So what makes tile so great for Bradenton roofs?
Heat/Sun Resistance
Whether or not your Bradenton roof has to face hurricane-force winds in any given year, it will always have to withstand thousands of hours of sunshine and heat. And this is why tile roofs, especially terracotta, first became so prevalent.
While some materials, like shingles (and especially lower-grade shingles) can warp and crack from heat and UV exposure, tile stays strong for years on end. Tile will not be defeated by sunshine alone.
Water/Leak Resistance
Roof leaks happen for a lot of reasons, but deterioration from the sun and heat is a big one around here. When tile doesn’t deteriorate, it doesn’t leak.
Additionally, tile doesn’t rot from moisture, either. This means that even when it’s exposed to a large volume of water, or a pileup of moist organic materials, tile is never going to be a host for microorganisms that eat away and lead to its breakdown. Roof tiles remain solid no matter what elements they’re exposed to.
Wind Resistance
That’s right, tile is an excellent choice for our climate’s one-two-three punch of heat, water, and wind.
First off, as a stiff material, tile won’t bend or pull up in the wind. For other materials, especially shingles, this flapping is the first step in a total roofing failure.
And if that weren’t enough, tile is also much heavier than shingles, making it that much harder to lift.
Energy Efficiency
And here’s the roofing factor that too many homeowners overlook when shopping for a roof replacement. Your roof is one of your primary tools for keeping your house cool. And guess what: Tile roofs are great for this!
Clay tile has a fantastic natural ability to absorb heat. All that outside air and sunshine that your roof bakes in on most days in Florida? That won’t get near to your air-conditioned interior. And when you don’t have to spend energy trying to keep the upper reaches of your home cool, you’ll save a lot of money on utilities.
The Tile Roofing Caveat: Expert Installation Is Important!
Don’t let the beauty of a well-installed roof trick you: A lot goes into getting roofing materials just right. Any little bit that isn’t sealed, overlapped, or angled properly, and all these fantastic benefits are all for nought. No matter how much you pay for an excellent roofing material like tile, your home is still exposed to the elements if it’s installed poorly.
If you need a tile roof installation in Bradenton—or if you just have questions about your options!—look to the company that’s been doing it for generations. Blue Collar is here to make sure you get the most out of your fabulous tile roof.
