Each person tries to use reliable and environmentally friendly building materials in the construction of their housing. This is logical, so clay tiles have been in great demand for many years. This is the best option for any roof. This material meets all the requirements and is reliable. Before making a choice in favor of clay tiles, you should familiarize yourself with some features.
Characteristic
Clay tiles are a material that for many years occupies a leading position in the sales market. Clay is taken as a basis, due to which a reliable construction is obtained, capable of protecting any structure. Given the requirements of GOST, the process takes place in several stages:
- Preparation of the main product. They are recognized to consider pottery clay. They make special additives in it - plasticizers.
- Stamping the final component with various techniques.
- Burning billets in a furnace at high temperature.
From this it becomes clear that the quality of the material is high. Not in vain has he occupied the first position in the construction market for many years.
Pros and cons of clay tiles
Speaking about such a roofing material, it is worth noting that its production is due to some features. The main advantage of clay tiles is that it is environmentally friendly material. Since clay is taken as the basis, this is an opportunity to create a good microclimate in the room. How is this manifested? Such material makes it possible to "breathe" the entire room.
During operation, this roofing material shows its best side. Masters highlight the following positive points:
- The structure of the material is porous, but it does not allow water to leak. Even after strong and prolonged exposure to rain (as well as other rainfall), such a roofing material does not lose its properties and protects the structure.
- Ceramic tiles have a long service life (up to 100 years).
- Calmly applies to any frost.
- Ultraviolet does not have a strong effect, so this roofing material is suitable for the southern regions.
- It is not subject to corrosion and deformation.
- Since the tiles are small, it is possible to organize the ventilation of the building and avoid the greenhouse effect.
- High strength.
- Good sound insulation. In addition, the house is not hot in summer and not cold in winter. Even with strong winds, no sounds enter the room.
- Everyone will be able to deal with styling. Since the parts join the neighboring ones in the effect of the puzzle, everyone can repair it. If one element is damaged, then there is no need to mount the entire structure from scratch. It is enough to replace only the one that was damaged earlier. But you need to remember that the shades of such tiles can vary. Therefore, it is important to choose a material that will most closely match the tone of the current coating.
- Clay does not allow the accumulation of electrostatic charge. Therefore, grounding is not necessary. Thanks to this, time is significantly saved.
- A house with such a roof looks attractive and beautiful.
There are always a wide variety of color solutions on sale. These are natural shades to create the uniqueness of the entire structure. Masters believe that there are always disadvantages in any material. One of them is a lot of weight, so the supporting structures must be durable. Despite its high reliability, burnt clay can break during transportation or installation. It is important to pay special attention to this. But everything is becoming insignificant, as there are many pluses.
Types of clay tiles
There are many colors and shapes, but there are only three types, it is worth noting. What everyone can find in the store:
- Flat roof tiles. It looks like a spade design. It is suitable for buildings with complex lines. Installation is carried out with a small overlap comparable to the scales. This completely eliminates moisture.
- Grooved. It will also be quite appropriate for roofs with an extraordinary design. This design is done in two layers. These are concave and convex shards. They are connected in pairs so that the design acquires a good look and creates maximum protection. Because of this, the material consumption becomes 2 times more.
- Wavy look. Most often found on country houses, it looks beautiful. There are two varieties - one and two wave.
Ceramic tiles have special grooves in the design, so that the waste water quickly leaves, and the level of reliability does not decrease. There are groove structures. It’s easier to work with them - even a beginner will cope with the installation. Before you go to the store, you should understand what suits you best and which way to make your choice.
How to cover the roof?
Here are some types of products:
- Natural is a ceramic tile without additional covering. Clay just burns. Suitable for creating retro style. The hue is natural, most often reddish. During operation, this shade may become slightly darker. The clay for this is taken different. The manufacturer also offers honors.
- Glazed is an interesting coating that attracts attention regardless of the chosen shade. A glassy substance is taken as the basis, while containing various metal ions. From this, the moisture-protective properties of clay tiles increase. The design looks beautiful and can completely change the perception of the building as a whole. With all the positive qualities, there are minor disadvantages - low resistance to frost, as well as cracking of the surface. In addition, the price of such material for the roof is high.
- Engobed. The main difference is the variety of colors and shades. This is achieved by applying various colored clay. It is applied to the surface with a thin layer and subjected to heat treatment. But this will not work if you do not use mineral additives. Such technology is chosen that the color does not change, despite the influence of nature. The use of this method provides additional protection. Therefore, at high temperatures, the material does not crack.
Everyone decides what is right for him, given the temperature regimes in the region and personal preferences. It is worth purchasing material only from trusted manufacturers.
Analogs
Today, clay tile production occupies a leading position, since demand for it does not decrease. Clay is also sometimes called sand-ceramic. Most often, the basis is raw materials from fatty varieties and modifiers, due to which the service life and technical characteristics are increased. Today there are analogues that are no less effective. They are as follows:
- Cement-sand. It is based on cement. This is a reliable material that is in no way inferior to tile. The cost will be a little cheaper, but there is also a minus. This is a lot of weight, so working with it is inconvenient. It is also worth doing reinforcing ceilings.
- Soft clay roof tiles. These are two different layers: one is inside, the other is outside. When working with them, it is worth considering some features.
- Polymer-sand. Such a roofing material does not have big differences from tiles, but a rich assortment of colors and low weight are pluses.
There are many options that can become a substitute. At the same time, each has its own disadvantages and features of the flooring. The decision is always made by the owner, guided by their desires and capabilities.
What tools are required to work?
Before you begin, you need to prepare everything you need. The first is the tools:
- Cutter.
- Screwdriver.
- Roulette.
- Hammer.
Also, tiles and any additional components are acquired. Do not forget about steam and waterproofing. All this is available in the building materials store. Most often, the roof is assembled using grooves. Although there are also such components that need to be planted on adhesive masses.
How is the installation done?
When the main material is prepared, it is worth thinking about a small margin in case of marriage. Such a product refers to those that go in series and they may vary in shade. If various colors appear on the roof, it does not always look attractive.
Stages
The laying process has several stages:
- Waterproofing is laid on the rafters.
- After the vapor barrier is fixed.
- The counter-grill is being installed.
- Beams are laid, on which tiles are then fixed. How to choose the step of the crate? This will depend on the length of the tiles. If an overlap is made, then this is 70-80 centimeters.
Mounting direction
The installation direction of clay tiles is from top to bottom and from left to right. When all the rows are laid, you need to cut off the protruding parts of the material that will go beyond the joints. To prevent warm air from gathering under the roof, it is worth creating a steam outlet. This is done at the level of fixing the waterproofing. Holes are created for this.
There are situations when you need to cut a small part. How to do it? Masters recommend soaking any type of clay tile for about 24 hours and then perform the necessary actions. It is not that difficult.
It must be remembered that there are many manufacturers on the market, but out of all the diversity, it is worth giving preference to the most reliable and proven.