Clay Roof Tiles

Flat or wavy, rectangular tiles made of clay, composite, or metal materials, laid horizontally from the bottom edge of a roof upwards, with each new row overlapping the previous one.

Clay tiles give a beautiful appearance to your roof. Look for the distinctive red clay colour, although other earth colours like brown, cream, and gray are available too. Terra cotta clay tiles have the colour baked into them, so they won't change colour over time, while just-clay or cement tiles will change colour in the sun. Clay tiles are heavy, so ensure that your roof structure can support the weight. Look for locally-produced clay tiles where available, because they are also heavy to ship. Tile roofing that simulates clay tiles is also available made from cement or composite polymer materials. These simulated clay tiles can be lighter, but are harder to recycle when they come to the end of their use on the building.

When made of clay, roofing tiles are very long-lasting, and at the end of their useful life they can be returned to the Earth with no toxic impacts. Clay tiles are also non-combustible.

Clay roof tiles are known to have been used in China as far back as 12,000 years ago.