Most modern houses have sloping roof which is closed with roof tiles. The roof tiles must protect against weather influences that are constantly changing. Roof tiles, therefore, meet the highest quality requirements. Roof tiles also age and need to be replaced over time. What is the lifespan of roof tiles?
The lifespan of ceramic (baked) roof tiles is approximately 70 years, and the lifespan of concrete (cement and sand) roof tiles is 40 years on average. The service life of roof tiles can be extended by regular maintenance.
This is briefly explained how long roof tiles last. There is a difference in the types of roof tiles, and there are methods to protect them and extend their lifespan. This is only possible if the roof tiles are not too old. Roof tiles that have expired can only be replaced.
The Lifespan Of Roof Tiles
Roof tiles have a long life, but over time they become porous. This allows them to absorb moisture and cause it to leak. In addition, algae can form the green deposit on roof tiles.
Roof tiles do come in many shapes and sizes. And in many colors! Ancient types of roof tiles/plates can even contain asbestos. But the chance that these are on your roof is small.
Even worse is when the roof tiles have absorbed moisture and started to freeze. This creates the risk that the roof tiles will break, causing even more damage to the roof.
Roof tiles are produced in large quantities, and there can always be one that is not as strong as it should be. Wrong roof tiles can break due to stresses on the roof and weather influences. Look up regularly to see if your roof is still in order. A broken roof tile should be replaced as soon as possible.
The position of the roof tiles also plays a role in the length of the service life. Roof tiles on the north have much more shade and will remain much more humid; that is where the chance of moss and algae growth is greatest. The risk of damage here is very high, especially if the roof tiles are already old.
South-facing roof tiles will dry faster, and as a result, the lifespan of south-facing roof tiles can be longer. Moss and algae are less likely to adhere to the roof tiles.
How Long Do Concrete Roof Tiles Last?
Concrete roof tiles have cement and sand as the main components and, after drying, are given a coating that is applied in two layers. This coating is necessary because concrete has an open structure, and by coating, they become waterproof and protected against UV light and atmospheric pollution.
These roof tiles are often larger than, for example, ceramic roof tiles.
The lifespan of concrete roof tiles is approximately 40 years. This guideline can vary from roof to roof, but 40 years is the average. This can be extended through maintenance.
You can extend this by properly maintaining and cleaning your roof. How you can do this is discussed later in this blog.
The concrete roof tile is the most affordable and is today also the most sold roof tile.
Lifespan Ceramic Roof Tiles
Ceramic roof tiles are roof tiles that are made of clay. The clay is first pressed into a mold and then fired at a high temperature. The roof tiles are then glazed to make them waterproof. This is a more durable roof tile that lasts longer than the average.
The lifespan of ceramic roof tiles is, therefore, approximately 70 years. Again, this can differ from roof to roof, but 70 years is the average. This can be extended through maintenance.
By regularly performing maintenance and inspecting your roof, it is possible to extend the lifespan or at least reach 70 years.
How to extend the Life of Roof Tiles
Most of us believe in roof tiles. What I mean by this is once they are on the roof, we (often) don’t have to worry about them anymore. Roof tiles have to do their job, and we don’t look at them anymore until it’s too late. If the roof tiles are very damaged, there is only one thing to do: replace the entire roof with new ones.
But if you maintain your roof tiles, the chance of damage is considerably smaller, and you will incur less damage to your roof. There are plenty of options and resources to maintain your roof tiles and achieve or even extend their life of the roof tiles. So what are the things you can do?
- When you clean the gutters or have them cleaned in the spring, check the condition of the roof right away. You are now on a ladder, so perform a visual inspection immediately. Check whether all roof tiles are still straight, look for broken roof tiles and check for algae and moss growth.
- Clean the roof tiles regularly. Cleaning (or having this done) the tiles from time to time removes harmful layers of acid, like algae and moss, which will significantly extend the lifespan. The person who cleans the roof tiles can immediately check whether everything is still properly secured and whether there are any damages.
- You can also have concrete roof tiles coated, but not all ceramic roof tiles can be coated. If you want ceramic roof tiles coated, call in an expert who can inspect the roof and provide you with the right advice.
- Applying a coating creates a layer on the roof tiles that prevents aging and the porous effect of roof tiles.
- You can also have roof tiles, ceramic, and concrete impregnated. Impregnation fills small holes in the top layer of the roof tiles, making the roof waterproof again. The impregnating agent is transparent in colour. Raindrops roll off the roof more easily, and dirt can adhere less well.
By taking these measures, you can extend the life of your roof. However, there is a reservation with regard to coating and impregnation.
Coating and impregnation have no lasting effect. The effect of the coating and the impregnating agent will diminish over time, so you must repeat the entire process. If you are dreading the replacement of your entire roof or do not have the financial resources at the moment, you can certainly consider coating and impregnation. It has made the roof waterproof for years.
Also read: Pros & Cons of Painting Roof tiles.
