The roof is one of the most important parts of any architectural project. It has many important functions for the building, besides the aesthetics of the property. Thus, its importance consists in the protection and comfort provided to the residents, ensuring that the internal environments are safe against the weather and other external factors.
With this clarified, it is necessary to emphasize that a quality roof guarantees all the benefits of the building, avoiding possible headaches that materials of dubious quality can bring to the property.
We can give the example of tiles such as asbestos, which had its sales banned in Europe because of the risk they brought to people’s health. Many materials on the market may seem tempting because of their lower price, but they do not have a cost-benefit ratio or a guarantee that makes it possible to have more peace of mind with your choice.
In addition, it is important to consider that the weight of the tiles is not always synonymous with strength and durability, often impacting the expenses you will have with periodic maintenance on the roof. Overweight ends up reducing the life span of a roof structure, requiring more frequent care to avoid worse problems.
It is also necessary to consider that poor quality tiles can break more easily, requiring you to remodel your roof to stop possible infiltrations.
How to choose the tiles for a quality roof?
The first step in choosing the best tile option for your project is to learn about the different materials used in this type of product. The difference from one to the other can impact several stages of your construction or remodeling project and can increase costs and influence the labor for its installation.
Therefore, we, riverside roofing pros, have separated the main models to facilitate your choice when looking for the best alternative for your project!
Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles are the most popular and can be found in different types and colors. They are a great alternative for those who want different options when planning the roof of their dreams. They provide great thermal comfort, making internal environments more pleasant.
Despite these great features, ceramic tiles are fragile, as misuse can damage them and impair your roof. In addition, their weight can be a negative differential for those planning a quality roof with a simpler structure.
The high porosity of this material causes ceramic tiles to absorb rainwater in order to eliminate it under more suitable conditions. This increases its weight and can damage the woodwork of your roof, causing problems such as leaks, infiltrations, and the passage of air through the rooms.
Fiber-cement roof tiles
Fiber-cement tiles are a very economical solution for those who have a limited budget when renovating or building a quality roof. This material is easy to install, durable and impermeable, making it the perfect cost-effective alternative.
However, these tiles have some considerable disadvantages that can be the divisor of opinions when considering this option as a good alternative for your project. A negative point of this material is the fact that it overheats the inside of the building, making it uncomfortable during periods of intense heat.
In addition, its use may end up devaluing the aesthetics of your property, since fiber cement has a very simplistic design. This can be a very negative characteristic for those who want a more elegant and sophisticated project.
Ecological Tile
One of the trends that has been conquering the market because of its cost-effectiveness are the ecological tiles. They present a series of advantages, mainly when compared to the other models found in the market.
We start with the main one, their composition. It is made of recycled materials, being a great sustainable alternative for your project. This characteristic does not leave it behind in any point, being a great option for those who want a beautiful and different quality roof on their property.
Because it is lighter than other tiles on the market, it weighs up to 3.4 kg per m². This means that a ceramic tile can be up to 12 times heavier than the ecological model.
With this, we can affirm that the installation process is much more economical in the final budget of your work. Its low weight allows for greater practicality during transportation and installation, often requiring only one or two people to apply it on your roof. In addition, it is very resistant to falls, ensuring great durability and a longer useful life.
Another highlight is that it is able to successfully drain water away from your roof structure, avoiding overloading. That said, all these features are essential to reduce expenses with the installation and maintenance of your quality roof, making it possible to get more out of your investment.
In addition, despite being very light, they are very resistant to winds of more than 250 km/h, ensuring greater protection to the property. Last but not least, we highlight that this model is capable of staying up to 2º C colder than the other types, besides cooling down faster during the night.
Transparent tile
For those who want to have a more sustainable lifestyle, transparent tiles are a great option to add value to your property and still bring comfort and better quality of life. Its main feature is that it allows the passage of sunlight in internal environments, ensuring lit spaces for longer throughout the day.
This avoids unnecessary spending on artificial lighting. In addition, natural light allows less strain on the eyesight, providing benefits directly to your health.
The advantages of transparent tiles do not stop there. It has great color options for different tastes, making it a very versatile product for your project. It offers great resistance and is practically unbreakable – it can withstand impacts 50 times greater than acrylic models, for example.
Its high flexibility is a great feature, allowing a much simpler and more practical installation. In addition, transparent tiles have a protection against UV radiation, supporting temperature variations from -50º C to 135º C.