Choosing the best solution for your home’s roof can be fraught with challenges, including considering your property’s architectural style, the particular features of the material, and the level of investment you’re happy with. At All Roof Restorations, we’re all too familiar with helping homeowners still in the process of evaluating their options, and exactly which option is right for them. However, in our experience, two options are commonly compared and contrasted; concrete and terracotta roof tiles. Both of these materials boast unique aesthetics and advantages, so choosing between them can be difficult. In this blog post, we’ll help you get down to the crux of the dilemma. We’ll lay out the key factors, including cost, installation, energy efficiency, and the performance of the two materials in varied climates. If you’ve been mulling over the pros and cons of these two roofing options, then be sure to keep reading. We’re sure that this article will help you get that one step closer to making the right choice for your home, family, and wallet.
Table of Contents
Let’s get down to the basics: material composition
Concrete roof tiles
First, let’s take a deeper look at concrete roof tiles. An undoubtedly popular option amongst South Australian homeowners, concrete roof tiles are often chosen due to their durability and affordable nature. As their name suggests, concrete roof tiles are made from just that- concrete; which is a mixture of cement, sand, and water. Moulded in various shapes and sizes, concrete roof tiles can be customised in a gamut of colours and finishes to match a wide range of styles. These tiles can also be repainted and coated in sealants to prolong their lifespan, ensuring that they protect your home from the elements for many years.
Terracotta roof tiles
Ah, terracotta. Famous for its romantic, Mediterranean vibe and weathered aesthetic, terracotta tiles are guaranteed to imbue any home with a truly bespoke and traditional spirit. Made from natural clay and fired at high temperatures, terracotta tiles are renowned across the globe for their longevity and characteristic, sun-baked red hues. While it’s hard to argue with the classic beauty of a terracotta roof, this material is also more expensive, and many terracotta tiles cannot be sealed or repainted. This means that once fretting and degradation start to set in, the best you can do is a roof replacement.
Aesthetics and design
Shapes and Profiles
When it comes to shapes and profiles, concrete and terracotta tiles are evenly matched. Both of these materials can conform to a great variety of moulds, so regardless of whether you are seeking a flat-low-profile shape for a contemporary home or a barrel s-shapes profile for a traditional villa, both terracotta and concrete tiles will be able to satisfy your design goals.
Colour Options
Concrete tiles are available in almost every shade of the rainbow. From eccentric blues to more traditional reds, greys, blacks, and browns, you’re sure to find what you’re after. On the other hand, terracotta tiles tend to conform to a more homogenous colour palette- situated somewhere within the range of organic, earthy browns and reds. Of course, there is a great amount of variation to be found, however, terracotta tiles will still belong to a more natural colour family.
Durability and lifespan
There is no clear ‘winner’ when it comes to disability and lifespan. While concrete tiles can withstand extreme temperatures, and generally hold up impressively against storms and lashing wind, terracotta roof tiles offer high labels of thermal insulation and are resistant to water absorption.
Both concrete and terracotta roof tiles will require you to commit at least some effort to their maintenance, so neither option is completely hands-off, install and forget. Concrete tiles require seasonal cleaning, as they are susceptible to algae and moss, the growth of which can result in a weakened structure, cracks, and water seepage. Luckily, concrete tiles can be repainted to help them remain in vibrant and in good condition. While terracotta tiles are less prone to being hosts to microorganisms, they still require cleaning, and unlike concrete tiles, usually cannot be repainted or resealed.
Cost and Installation
Barring the cost of the material itself, installation costs are also essential to consider before deciding which material is best for your home. The first thing to understand is that, unfortunately, installing terracotta tiles will almost always be more expensive than concrete tiles. This is because terracotta tiles and heavier and demand a more careful and skilled approach, as they are more fragile and complex to install when compared to concrete tiles, which are usually easier and therefore quicker to install.
Energy Efficiency
Homeowners all over the world are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of energy efficiency as energy costs continue to soar. The first and more obvious point of comparison between terracotta and concrete tiles is how effective they are at insulating your home. Both of these materials have comparable insulation when it comes to temperature fluctuations. Terracotta contains natural air pockets, which created a natural insulation effect that helps create a stable internal temperature. Concrete tiles, on the other hand, have a higher thermal mass and can slowly release heat over time, which similarly contributes to a consistent indoor climate. However, due to their low thermal conductivity, terracotta tiles are far superior at heat reflection, meaning that, especially during Australia’s scorching summers, they can more efficiently deflect sun rays, resulting in a cooler indoor environment.
Wrapping Up
Both concrete and terracotta tiles offer unique and important benefits that can make them the ideal roofing material for the right homeowner. The key factors to consider when making your final decision include:
Cost – concrete tiles are guaranteed to be more budget-friendly, as terracotta tiles are not only more expensive as a material but are also more expensive in their installation.
Style – both terracotta tiles and concrete tiles offer unique aesthetic advantages that will benefit a range of architectural styles and personal preferences.
Durability – Concrete tiles can be restored by undergoing repainting and re-sealing. Most terracotta tiles have a glaze that cannot be painted over. However, terracotta tiles have a long lifespan of about 20 years.
Ultimately, the decision between terracotta and concrete tiles will depend entirely on your circumstances, budget, and personal taste in style and aesthetics. If you’re struggling to choose between these two popular options, why not get in touch with our friendly team? We’ll be able to help you make an informed decision that you won’t regret years down the line.
