Are concrete roof tiles durable?

Concrete roof coverings look almost identical to clay coverings. Once installed, a cement tile is difficult to distinguish from a clay tile. However, when choosing a roof covering, consider not only its appearance but also its durability and weather resistance. It must also suit the roof pitch. Concrete coverings are used on roofs with a minimum pitch of 10°. Some tiles can only be laid on roofs with a minimum pitch of 15° or 30°.

Roof tile composition

Resistance to mechanical damage is the main advantage of concrete roof tiles. The covering lasts from 70 to 80 years. It contains no substances harmful to health, only natural raw materials. To manufacture cement roof tiles water, Portland cement with a small addition of calcium, pigment and quartz sand are used. The same ingredients, without pigments and in different proportions, are used to make hollow floor blocks and foundation blocks. These basic components of a house must be extremely strong. That is why cement roof tiles are so durable.

The manufacturing process and roof tile durability

The tiles are formed and then dried at a lower temperature, giving them good dimensional accuracy. After drying, the cement body is grey and rough. It is therefore painted with acrylic paint and given a protective coating that also serves a decorative purpose. These operations are usually performed twice, before and after drying. The tile surface becomes smooth, satin or matt, and watertight – with no micropores. Concrete coverings do not offer the best colour choice, but are available in several shades.