Inspiration
Tile Myths and Facts
When you’re choosing the materials for your home, you want to be armed with the facts.
Roofing is a large part of your build and it’s important to feel comfortable that you’ve made the right decision. Here are some myth busters about roof tiles:
Myth #1: Concrete tiles weaken over time
FALSE: Unlike other materials, such as metal, which may rust corrode, warp, flake, peel and dent over time, concrete tiles gradually improve in strength over several decades. This is caused by a hydration reaction between the water and cement.
Myth #2: When concrete tiles absorb water, the increased weight can cause strain on the roof structure.
FALSE: Even in the most extreme saturation tests, the added weight of water absorbed by concrete tiles is only a maximum of 10%, and in real-world practice much less at around 5%. Put simply: it’s no big deal.
Myth #3: Moss and lichens eat into the tiles over time.
FALSE: Moss and lichen growth is more common on terracotta tiles, particularly unglazed terracotta than concrete tiles. However the moss and lichen growth is only on the surface of the tiles and as such it does not affect the integrity of the tile.
Any moss or lichen growth on Concrete or Terracotta tile can be easily removed by professional cleaning.
Myth #4: Concrete tiles fade faster than a metal roof
FALSE: Independent tests show that concrete tiles will fade over an extensive amount of time, but they will retain their colour gloss significantly longer than metal roofs, as per independent colour tests.
Myth #5: Terracotta tiles only come in a terracotta colour
FALSE: Maybe the original terracotta colour was the only colour available 100 years ago, but that’s not the case today.
Terracotta is made from all types of igneous rock which are pulverised into a powder and then hydrated into a putty. These rocks can be anything from chalk white or sun yellow to fire red and charcoal black, meaning that Monier can offer a comprehensive range of colours that will help you achieve the look you want
Myth #6: Terracotta tiles have been replaced by concrete tiles as a superior material
FALSE: In fact, terracotta is still the best tiling material available. Made from natural materials, Terracotta tiles offer both thermal and noise control and they are entirely fade resistant.
Still have questions about roof tiles? Learn more about concrete tiles or terracotta tiles.