Tile

Clay tile roofing is thought to have originated in China many thousands of years ago. The ancient Greeks and Romans roofed their buildings with clay tiles. Still one of the most popular roofing materials in Europe, European settlers brought the tradition of tile roofing to America.

Clay tiles start out as shale, which is crushed into a fine powdery clay. The clay is mixed with water and kneaded to the consistency of cookie dough. The clay is then formed into the desired shape and placed into a kiln heated to roughly 2000 degrees. At that temperature the clay minerals lose their individual identity and fuse. A clay tile is born.

Many different shapes and styles of tile can be seen here in the San Francisco bay area; however the most common would have to be the high profile "mission" tile. Often referred to a Cap & Pan, the two barrel shape of the mission tile can be seen on many homes and commercial building around town.

Clay tiles are durable, fire proof, and can last indefinitely. On the occasion that your home or building is reroofed, the tile is generally saved and reused. The felt underlayments, metal fasteners and flashings we be replaced, and the tile simply re-installed.

Concrete tiles have been used in the United States since the 1960's, and have really grown in popularity the last twenty years. Many new housing tracks here in the Bay Area will feature Concrete tiles.

A concrete tile is made from Portland cement, sand, and water, mixed in varying proportions. These materials are mixed and extruded on individual molds under high pressure to form the tile product. Modern concrete tile come in a verity of shapes, sizes, color options, and weight.

As with the traditional clay tiles, the most important aspect of a concrete tile roof is the underlayment. Both types of tile are not 100% watertight, thus the underlayment will be exposed to moisture from time to time. This is why Elliott & Elliott will always upgrade the underlayments on tile roofs up from the manufacturer's minimum requirements.