Tile Roofing

Tile roofing has the look of Florida and is a very sought after roof covering. Tile is very durable and can be custom tailored to fit many different roof lines. Tile roofing systems can be designed with the most basic standards to very premium standards depending on the requirements and budget.

Tile Roofing in Naples and surrounding areas is made up of 3 parts. Underlayment, Flashings, and Tile. There are different considerations that go into each part of the tile roofing system. Each of these three parts of the tile roofing system are very important considerations. The slope of the roof may determine the attachment of the tile, which will then determine the flashing type, which may then determine the underlayment choice.

Concrete tile is very heavy. If you wanted to install concrete or clay tile on a roof that currently has asphalt shingles, then an engineer would have to sign off on it, in order to get a permit. It is due to the weight difference of the tile and shingles.

A premium tile roofing project can be accomplished by installing the best underlayments, and then upgrading the flashings.

Tile Roofing Underlayment

One of the most important aspects of a tile roofing system is the underlayment. Any tile roof, whether it is concrete tile or clay tile will get water under the system. Even though, some systems are set up to keep the water on top.

Since October of 2007, most of the re-roofing has included a self-adhered underlayment that is stuck right to the plywood. Once the roof is re-nailed per the Florida Building Code, then the underlayment can be installed.

4″-6″ self adhered tape over all the plywood seams, then a 30# tarpaper felt or other approved underlayment can be nailed on over this.
A self-adhered underlayment can be installed over the entire roof. This can be a series of underlayments or just one layer, depending on the manufacturers specifications, and budget. Some underlayments have a “as soon as possible” rating, others a 6 month rating. This ratingis the time limit the product is designed to be exposed to the elements before roofing is installed (roofing tile or slate).
SA Cap is designed to be exposed to the elements by itself. SA Cap is the best tile roofing underlayment that can be installed. One way to make the SA Cap a better tile roofing underlayment is to install a base sheet underneath. This would make the tile roofing underlayment system thicker, so in theory, would make it last even longer.
There are still companies hot mopping tile underlayment over 30# tarpaper felt. This system has been around for a long time and is a proven system. Check with your insurance company before using this method to make sure the discounts are still going to come through.

Tile Roofing Flashings

Depending on the type of Tile Roofing system, the tile roofing system flashings can be different on each individual roof.

Google search definition of “Roof Flashing” – A thin, impervious sheet of material placed in construction to prevent water penetration or direct the flow of water. Flashing is used especially at roof hips and valleys, roof penetrations, joints between a roof and a vertical wall, and in masonry walls to direct the flow of water and moisture. (http://www.dictionaryofconstruction.com/definition/flashing.html)

Standard Flashings – Standard flashing is the type of roof flashing that is installed at the transitions and then sealed to the roofing underlayment. This can be as minimal as nailing down and stripping in with roofing cement, to setting the flashings in roofing cement and stripping in with like material. This is the difference between minimal and the extra mile.
Tray Flashings – Otherwise known as preformed flashings with edge returns – this type of flashing keeps water inside of itself and the tile roofing system is then designed to keep the majority of the water on top of the roofing tiles. Lead sheet is used to finish off areas where water runs out to then keep water on top of the tile roofing system.

Tile roofing flashings can be fabricated out of several different metals.

Galvalume – either mill finish(silver) or painted metal in 26 ga. and 24 ga. 24 guage is thicker and is a premium metal when looking at steel.
Aluminum – either mill finish(silver) or painted metal in .032 and .040. .040 is thicker and is a premium metal when looking at aluminum.
Copper – always comes mill finish (copper color), but can be painted. Comes in 16 oz. and 20 oz. 20 ounce is thicker and is premium when looking at copper.

Galvalume is the base metal and is the most common, also referred to as steel. Aluminum is more than galvalume and is primarily used when wanting to upgrade, but not wanting to spend the money for copper. Copper flashings can be very costly, but is the most premium when the best is what you are after.

Tile Roofing

The tile roofing that is ultimately installed on top of the roof has many different options as well. From concrete tile in many different colors and styles, to clay tile, and also some premium choices that can distinguish a home’s appearance.

Concrete Tile Roofing – This is the most popular tile as it is the most economic. Concrete tile roofing comes in several profiles and also a myriad of colors. Depending on the brand, the profile can be slightly different. Different profiles are labeled as:

Flat – Flat roofing tile will resemble the look of slate, or even wood shakes.
Low Profile Barrel – The low profile “S” tile is chosen on homes with smaller panels.
High Profile Barrel – Also known as the “S” tile. Homes with larger panels will accept the higher profile tiles.
Traditional – Flat and barrel(Spanish S) – this is a smaller version of the concrete tile. The traditional label is because this was the original size of concrete tiles before the larger tiles were engineered and popularized. These tiles are now a premium, because there are more per square and therefore, take more time to install.

Some concrete tile brands that we utilize are: Entegra Roof Tiles and Boral Concrete Roofing Tiles.

Clay Tile Roofing

Flat and Barrel – Most of the clay tiles you see around Naples are the Spanish S profile from Altusa. Another brand of clay roofing tile is Santa Fe.
Premium Clay Tile – Ludowici (http://www.ludowici.com/) has several options and is on the higher end.