Roof tiles date back to around 2500 BC. Archaeologists have found evidence of a tiled roof around this time in ancient Mesopotamia. Before that time most roofs in this area were thatched. There is evidence of them in Greece later, and now they can be found on houses around the world, from London to Perth, and from Canberra to Los Angeles.

Types of roof tiles

Terracotta tiles

Terracotta tiles I made from clay which has been baked at extremely high temperatures (around 1000 degrees Celsius). Used extensively in Australia since the late 1800s, these types of roof tiles have a range of benefits including durability and color fastness. They are available in a range of colors and finishes, and their color simply doesn't fade regardless of weather conditions.

Also have environmental benefits mainly associated with their strong thermal insulation properties. They regulate extremes of hot and cold and therefore contribute to improve thermal efficiency and reductions in energy use. On top of that they reduce dampness and therefore also minimize the presence of mold in homes just shut up

As we shall see later, perhaps the biggest negative Terra cotta roof tiles is their expense. On top of that while they are strong, they are susceptible to breakage. This is particularly the case when they're walked up on in heavy boots oh hard objects, like branches and so forth, fall on them.

Concrete tiles

Concrete tiles are made from a combination of water and aggregate materials. Their manufacture involves extruding these raw materials under high pressure. They are more affordable than the terracotta counterparts and are also extremely durable. I come in on wide range of colors and shapes, are easy to maintain, and also have an impressively long lifespan.

On the negative side they are very heavy and therefore difficult to install. Also, they are not suitable for all types of roofs, particularly those with a steep slope.

Slate tiles

Slate is a natural stone, and real slate tiles therefore made from 100% natural stone. This is where much of the appeal lies, it comes down to their look. further benefits of slate tiles include their incredibly long lifespan (100 years or more), their durability, and their sustainability.

However, the cons of slight tiles include the fact that they are very heavy and therefore in some house’s reinforcement is necessary to use them. Also, price is an issue. They are one of the most expensive roof tile options and they require specialists to install them.

How much do roof tiles cost?

Here is summary of the comparative prices you are likely to have to pay suppliers for the various types of roof tiles available in Australia. Prices don’t vary much across the country, so regardless of whether you are in Adelaide or the Gold Coast, these are the prices you are likely to pay :

Slate roofing tiles: $190 m² - $510 m²
Terracotta roofing tiles: $80 m² - $120 m²
Concrete roofing tiles: $40 m² -$70 m²

A selection of some of the best roof tiles on the market:

marseille terracotta roof tile

1. Marseille terracotta roof tile

Available in a broad range of natural clay colours, Marseille terracotta roof tile from Monier will not rust, warp or corrode. Delivering a beautiful, timeless appeal for your home, they also provide thermal and acoustic insulation. On top of that, their colour doesn’t fade, salt and cement have no effect on them and they can also handle salt. They are tank water safe and are unaffected by frost.

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spanish slate roof tile

2. Spanish Slate roof tile

Spanish slight from Nulock Roofing is sourced from the Galicia and Castille De Leon regions of Spain. Black in colour it is suitable for all types of weather conditions from extreme call to extreme heat. Apart from its impressive good looks, this material is waterproof, durable, fire resistant and most importantly has a very long lifespan.

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dark collection roof tiles

3. Dark Collection

Available now from Bristile Roofing, the dark collection of roof tiles combines a bold look with a light floating appearance. They come in a range of colours from Reds to deep Grey and work just as well in urban settings as they do in rural or coastal environments.

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Nulok vitrified ceramic tiles

4. Nulok vitrified ceramic tiles

These ceramic tiles are not only incredibly strong, in fact according to the supplier rank among the strongest products of their type available, but they are also Non porous and therefore highly resistant to rain.

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macquarie concrete tiles

5. Macquarie concrete tiles

Available with a 20-year product guarantee, Macquarie tiles are reliable and resilient products that you can rely upon for years of service. Safe for use with rainwater tanks, they also provide excellent thermal insulation and their double curve profile means they can be relied upon to deliver good looks to all sorts of homes.

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french terracotta roof tiles

6. ‘French’ terracotta roof tiles

French Terra cotta roof tiles come with a 50-year product guarantee. These high-quality products can be relied upon to not only maintain their colour throughout their lifespan, but also to ensure years of trouble-free performance. they are available now from Boral.

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Visum Terracotta Roof Tiles

7. Visum Terracotta Roof Tiles

Although they are actually Terra cotta products, these tiles deliver an unmistakable shingle and slight appearance. This can be attributed 2 the technique used in the production, which is sophisticated enough to even provide these tiles with realistic-looking pitting on their surface.

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urban shingle

8. Urban shingle

These elegant Terra cotta tiles deliver a classic shingle appearance and are available in a great selection of colours. Urban shingle tiles Also provide a nice flat seamless appeal, perfect for Hampton style houses as well as mid-century designs.

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Architecture News & Editorial Desk

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