Modern shingles are usually made of concrete or slate. However, there is a growing selection of man-made alternatives that are. However, there is a growing selection of artificial alternatives that are manufactured from metal and plastic. They are ideal for sloping roofs or those with a wooden frame.
In the case of the mortar bed on the ridges and hips, rainwater can wash the lime from the roof and deposit it on the roof tiles. Once deposited on the surface of the tile, calcium hydroxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the air and becomes an insoluble calcium carbonate. Concrete tiles often look a lot like clay. While the color of clay and concrete tends to fade over time, both have a similar lifespan and are low maintenance and fire resistant.
Concrete tiles tend to be more cost-effective than other materials. As an alternative to clay or slate, Marley concrete shingles offer excellent performance and can provide the appearance of other, more “natural” products. Color options are similar to clay, with a range of reds, oranges, browns and grays. When considering concrete shingles, Marley's options include Ecologic Ludlow Major, Duo Modern interlacing, and Edgemere interlocking slate.
A traditional favorite, clay tiles have been used for thousands of years. Modern clay tiles are available in handmade or machine-made formats, and the two types differ mainly in terms of appearance and price. Clay shingles are strong and durable, and are provided in shades of red, orange, brown and gray. Interlocking clay tiles usually weigh between 40 and 50 kg per square meter.
This means that they are lighter than concrete and natural stone, but heavier than wood, natural slate and fiber-reinforced concrete. Marley offers a variety of types of clay shingles, including Ashdowne handmade clay stencils and traditional Eden. All are made to meet all modern building standards without losing that traditional look and, since they are compatible with our dry-fix roofing systems, installation is quick and easy. Another consideration when deciding on a type of tile is its shape.
Options include flat shingles, such as Duo Modern; as well as S-shaped pantiles (such as Anglia) and Roman shingles such as Double Roman, with alternating flat sections and curves. Large format tiles, such as Duo Edgemere, are another option to consider. These can be quicker and cheaper to install, as each tile covers more space, compared to a smooth clay or concrete tile, which also means that fewer mosaic slats would be needed. The choice between smooth shingles and types of interlocking shingles will depend on aesthetic preferences, as well as on the budget.
Smooth shingles have a simple rectangular shape and are usually smaller than interlocking tiles. They should be placed with a double flap to ensure weather-tightness and provide an attractive and traditional appearance. Options include smooth clay shingles made by hand from Canterbury and smooth concrete shingles. Interlocking shingles, such as Lincoln Clay Interlocking Briefs and Edgemere Interlocking Slate Concrete Shingles, have a unique shape that allows them to fit comfortably and securely.
Interlocking shingles still require attachment to roof slats, but their design means that only a single turn is needed and are usually larger than smooth shingles, so fewer shingles are required to cover the roof. This makes the installation of interlocking tiles faster and more cost-effective than smooth tiles. One of the first considerations when selecting the right type of tile for a project is the slope of the roof. Many shingles are suitable for vertical applications, and some can be installed on low-pitch roofs with a minimum pitch of only 15°.
Our Mendip 12.5 Interlocking Concrete Shingle and Lincoln Clay Interlocking Mat can be installed in a minimum pitch of only 12.5°. However, it is essential to verify the shingles under consideration to ensure the suitability of the roof slope. Roof construction and maintenance usually involves the need for shingles and slates, and we have a wide variety of shingles and slates to match contemporary and traditional properties. You will find a selection of products, including Redland and Marley tiles, available to order online.
Our selection of natural shingles comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, which are made to match existing roofs, including timeless dark red shingles, modern anthracite slates and many other colors. We also have natural slate and classic clay tiles, as well as ridges for the apex of a roof. Order now from our varieties, available in individual packs and pallet quantities. Shingles are primarily designed to prevent rain and are traditionally made from locally available materials such as terracotta or slate.
Modern materials such as concrete, metal and plastic are also used, and some clay tiles have a waterproof glaze. Shingles are the most popular form of roofing and have been a firm part of world history for thousands of years. Part of its massive appeal is its robustness and its ability to prevent rain from penetrating the roof, by encouraging water to run down the roof, without areas for accumulation. Due to the nature of the process of producing clay tiles, slight variations in color are expected, and in fact, in many cases, they improve the appearance of the finished roof.
Roofing Superstore is proud to offer a wide range of reclaimed shingles and shingles, to create a durable, weather-resistant and attractive finish for your latest pitched roofing project. It is important for roofing contractors to understand why manufacturers use certain surface finish treatments on clay and concrete tiles, and how this affects product aesthetics and performance in the short and long term. Manufacturers do their best to recreate the exact colors of the tiles in their brochures, but they can only be as accurate as the printing process allows. Each one is designed to meet the requirements of various projects, whether for laying them on a pitched roof or cladding the front of a house.
With over 40 years of roofing experience, we will help you choose the perfect solution for your project. Due to their variety of styles and excellent durability, concrete tiles are among the most popular roofing materials. Similar to roof tiles, tiles have been used to provide a protective weather wrap to the sides of timber frame buildings. Concrete shingles are an incredibly safe roofing option, with a life expectancy of around fifty years, which last much longer than other parts of the roof.
While concrete shingles may require an investment of as little as £12 per square meter, slate can be considerably more expensive at £30 per square meter. . .
