Are Tile Roofs Better Than Shingles?

Are Tile Roofs Better Than Shingles? That is the question many homeowners are asking themselves when it comes time to re-roof their homes. Both tile and shingle roofs have their pros and cons, but which one is the best option for your home? Let’s take a closer look at both roofing materials and see which one comes out on top.

What Are Tile Roofs And Shingle Roofs?

Sometimes people will refer to anything on a roof as a tile. They might say a “shingle tile” when referring to a shingle. So this can add to the confusion because it isn’t correct. There is a distanced difference between a tile roof and a shingle roof.

Shingles are made of an asphalt base material that is the waterproofing agent of the system and they have granules to protect it from the sun. The shingles will come in different styles and types like the three-tab shingle or the architectural shingle. There are different wind resistance and warranties with each.

Tiles are made of either clay or concrete. The underlayment under the tiles is what waterproofs the home. The tile protects that base sheet from the sun and helps to prolong its life. Tiles come in a large variety of styles and colors. Some roof tiles are flat, others are rounded. Both flat and round tiles have variations in each of them as well. But the over all performance is basically the same.

Pros And Cons Of Tile Roofs

Tile roofs are popular in Florida because of how they protect your home from the heat. The tiles help to keep the home cooler by blocking out the sun’s rays, and they also help to prevent the roof from getting too hot compared to how hot a shingle roof gets. This is a major advantage in Florida, where the summers are hot and humid.

Tile roofs are better than shingles because of how long they last, their wind resistance and the over all appearance of the home. A tile roof can have a wind resistance of up to 180 mph, which is significantly more than a shingle roof. They also last longer. Now there is a difference between how long a tile roof can last on paper and in real life. So while the manufacture might say 75 years, in reality, you are looking at 30 years.

If you plan to sell your home in the near future, a tile roof will increase the value of you home and the curb a peal. There are many options to choose from when it comes to colors and styles. So you can choose a style that will help your home stand out from all the others in your neighborhood.

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Pros And Cons Of Shingle Roofs

The main advantage of a shingle roof is the cost. They are cheaper to install than tile roofs, and they are also cheaper to repair. Replacing a few shingles is an easy job that most homeowners can do themselves. Although we wouldn’t recommend this since walking on a roof is dangerous.

If you don’t plan to live in your house for a long time, a shingle roof can be a good option for you since they are less expensive. But if you do plan to stay for awhile, we highly recommend the architectural shingle since it has a longer life expectancy and higher wind resistance. But keep in mind that different manufactures have different warranties and life expectancy on of their shingles so be sure to read the fine print of the warranty.

A shingle roof does have some disadvantages. They are not as durable as tile roofs, so they won’t last as long. They are also not as good at protecting your home from the sun, which can add to your energy bills in the summer months. The wind warranty on your shingle might only last 15 years where the shingle warranty itself last longer. So again, be sure to see all the details of your warranty.

Since the waterproofing aspect of the shingle is the asphalt, and the granules on the single are what protect if from the sun. When those granules are dislodged from old age or hail, the asphalt ages even quicker and you end up with leak sooner than expected.

I would also add that shingles are installed with hundreds of thousands of nails, compared to tile which can be installed with a foam adhesive. The fact that there are so many nails holding your shingles in place means it is has more chances of leaking. A common roof leak on a shingle roof is from a nail that was placed too low and allowed water to get in.

Which Roof Is Better For Your Home

The answer to this question depends on your budget, where you live and how long you plan to stay in your home. If money is no object, then a tile roof is the way to go since they will last longer and provide better protection for your home. But if you are on a budget, then a shingle roof can be a good option for you.

If you live in an area with severe weather conditions, then we recommend a tile roof since they can withstand high winds and heavy rains. But if you live in an area with milder conditions, a shingle roof can be a good option.

It really comes down to your personal preferences and what you are looking for in a roof. Are you looking for something that is durable and will last a long time? Or are you looking for something that is less expensive and easy to repair?

Whichever roof you choose, be sure to get the warranty information from both the manufacturer and installer. The material warranty will come from the manufacturer and the workmanship warranty will come from the roofing company.

Final Thoughts

So yes, when asking are tile roofs better than shingles, we are confident that tile roofs are better and will out perform a shingle roof every day. So we highly recommend them to all homeowners.

If you have any questions or need help choosing the right roof for your home, please contact us. We are happy to help!

Which Roof Is Better For Your Home

The answer to this question depends on your budget, where you live and how long you plan to stay in your home. If money is no object, then a tile roof is the way to go since they will last longer and provide better protection for your home. But if you are on a budget, then a shingle roof can be a good option for you.

If you live in an area with severe weather conditions, then we recommend a tile roof since they can withstand high winds and heavy rains. But if you live in an area with milder conditions, a shingle roof can be a good option.

It really comes down to your personal preferences and what you are looking for in a roof. Are you looking for something that is durable and will last a long time? Or are you looking for something that is less expensive and easy to repair?

Whichever roof you choose, be sure to get the warranty information from both the manufacturer and installer. The material warranty will come from the manufacturer and the workmanship warranty will come from the roofing company.

Final Thoughts

So yes, when asking are tile roofs better than shingles, we are confident that tile roofing is better and will out perform a shingle roof every day. So we highly recommend them to all homeowners.

If you have any questions or need help choosing the right roof for your home, please contact us. We are happy to help!

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