A comprehensive guide to roof tiles
What are the different types of roof tile?
A building’s roof can define it. First impressions are key and nothing quite stands out like the roof, which makes choosing the right roof tile an important decision.
There are a whole host of different roof tiles, varying by profile, material and performance, each provide a different finish and aesthetic that can give your project unique character.
In this complete guide to roof tiles, we have gathered everything you need to know about the most common types in one place.
What are Plain Tiles?
The plain tile is one of the oldest and most recognisable roof tiles, seen commonly across the country but particularly dominant in the south. Most plain tiles typically measure 265mm x 165mm, standardised by charter during the reign of King Edward IV in 1477, although variations on this size do exist today.
Traditional plain tiles do not have interlocking channels and are instead laid with an overlapping structure known as ‘double-lapped’ which provides a structure at least three tiles deep at any one point, which keeps water out of your home.
Plain tiles offer a range of advantages and fine details which make them an aesthetically pleasing choice in most circumstances, whether you need a traditional or modern look.
There are a number of different plain tile types that vary in price and aesthetics:
Handmade Clay Plain Tiles
Despite modernisation of manufacturing practices, handmade clay plain tiles are still available from several manufacturers, often carrying a premium. Traditional production methods give every tile its own unique character, with for example our Keymer tiles containing the hand print of the skilled craftsmen who make them.
This type of plain tile is normally lightly sanded to emphasise the colouration and texture, and they will mature with age thanks to their clay make up.
Handcrafted Clay Plain Tiles
Handcrafted is a term or phrase used to describe a tile that is manufactured on a fully automated line that is designed and made to have the same aesthetic appearance and “inconsistencies” as a Handmade tile but at a more cost effective price point. This process can have little to no “hand” interaction throughout the whole process.
Concrete Plain Tiles
Concrete plain tiles are the same size and shape as clay plain tiles and are available in colours that both mimic the clay plain tile appearance, as well as unique colours unavailable in clay. They are generally at a lower price point than their clay counterparts. Both clay and concrete offer similar technical performance levels but with concrete what you gain in cost effectiveness, you sacrifice in aesthetics as the painted surface of concrete will age over time whilst clay maintains its colour throughout its life.
Interlocking Plain Tiles
Interlocking plain tiles, sometimes also referred to as medium format tiles, benefit from a structure that requires less tiles per square metre and are therefore quicker to install whilst providing a similar aesthetic.
The Sandtoft 20/20 is popular choice for customers wanting to achieve a plain tile like appearance alongside the benefits of a modern interlocking tile. The 20/20 can achieve a minimum pitch of 15 degrees, a significant improvement over the minimum pitches of traditional plain tiles, which are typically 30 – 40 degrees, making the 20/20 an ideal choice for extensions.
With significantly less tiles per m2, typically around 20 versus a plain tile at 60 tiles per m2, interlocking plain tiles they also offer weight benefits and also better utilise modern construction methods and dry fix accessories as opposed to traditional mortar that requires regular maintenance.
What are Pantiles?
Pantiles (the wavy tiles) are traditionally made from clay but concrete alternatives are also now widely available. They are particularly popular along the east coast, as imports from Europe dominated our architectural style along the coast in the historic UK. Pantiles are typically laid straight up the roof in colomns, otherwise known as straight bond (link to straight bond vs cross bond article)
Due to their nature and shape they do require more skill to install than other rectangular formats so it is always important to consult with both your local authority and your installer before setting your heart on pantiles. Common types of pantiles include the following:
Handmade Clay Pantiles
The traditional pantile is handmade from clay and unlike plain tiles, are only manufactured in small volumes today, typically for more bespoke work or to emulate a traditional tile on a heritage project. This method of manufacture is more expensive and planners are unlikely to insist on the handmade variety outside of heritage projects
Choosing handmade pantiles therefore is normally an aesthetic choice, or one made if you are working on a heritage or reclamation project where specific tiles are required to match what is already there.
Traditional Clay Pantiles
Often machine made in the modern world, traditional clay pantiles are one of the country's classic roof tile designs. The way traditional pantiles overlap means that they have a thin and continuous leading edge that adds to their distinctive charm. They are typically what is referred to as fixed gauge and require both skilled labour and an eye for detail. If selecting a traditional pantile, ensure your installer has experience with these.
They are available in a range of colours as is the case with plain tiles, and when made from clay they mature and age in a similar fashion.
Interlocking Clay Pantiles
An evolution of the traditional pantile, the interlocking pantile interlocks and has weather bars which typically enable them to perform at lower roof pitches. This widens the range of projects that it can be used on.
These products like the New County Natural Red+ have a thicker leading edge and are slightly cheaper than the traditional alternative, whilst also being quicker and easier to install making them a popular choice.
Concrete Pantiles
Pantiles became available in concrete the 1950s and are the most cost-effective single pantile. The concrete pantile is very similar in design and size to the clay interlocking pantiles, but usually can be identified by a thicker front edge and a less natural colour. The colours on concrete tiles will also fade more quickly than they do on the clay equivalent.
Clay Double Pantiles
The clay double pantile was introduced in 2008. This innovation represents a significant reduction in the cost of a natural clay roof and makes it more competitive with concrete pantiles on a cost basis.
The Olympus double pantile and other similar types of clay double pantiles come in a range of colours and provide a traditional pantile aesthetic with less tiles per m2.
Concrete Double Pantiles
Concrete double pantiles have existed in since the 1960s and were made popular due to labour and time saving benefits. The concrete double pantile is a cost effective roof covering and one of the most popular roof tile shapes in the UK, it emulates it’s clay equivalent in almost every performance metric but clay will always trump concrete when it comes to aesthetics and their rich colours.
What are Roman Tiles?
Roman tiles have a flat shape with a half round roll running down the right hand side of the tile , which creates a ridge running down the roof in straight lines when the tiles are laid. Like pantiles, Roman style tiles are available in both single and double form However unlike pantiles, the use of single Roman tiles is relatively limited in modern construction and architecture, with the Double Roman profile dominating this aesthetic.
The original design of a Roman style tile evolved in a similar way to the pantile when the flat tile and the curved tile were joined together to form a single unit. Early versions had a large, pronounced roll, oftenr referred to as a bold roll. However models exhibiting a smaller more delicate roll became the norm.
These are the most common types of Roman tile:
Clay Single Roman
Imported in large numbers in urban areas in the 1950s and recently re-introduced by Sandtoft as the Tempest 44, this is an elegant roof tile that can give an attractive look to your project.
Traditional Clay Double Roman
Traditional clay double Roman tiles are installed similarly to the single tiles and you can achieve an equally good colour and texture. The Sandtoft Bridgwater is one of the only traditional clay double Roman tiles available and offers a great premium finish to any home.
It was designed to satisfy the need for a double tapered clay Roman tile and is often found in the South West of England, after which it is named andwhere it matches the local vernacular.
Interlocking Clay Double Roman
The clay double Roman is an innovation in clay roof tiles, in the same style as the 20/20or double pantile, which offer many of the same benefits. Most importantly, it is more affordable and quicker to install than traditional alternatives
The Modula from Sandtoft is a great example of this type of Roman tile and offers a range of colours to suit any home.
Concrete Double Roman
Concrete double Roman roof tiles are one of the most popular types of roof tile in the country, thanks to their relatively low cost and speed and ease of install.
However, colours fade more quickly and they cannot replicate the desirable texture that clay brings.
What are Slate and Slate Alternative tiles?
The term ‘slate’ is used to refer to tiles made from the actual material of the same name, but also as a looser term for describing any type of similar roof materials with a thin, flat appearance and a blueish/grey colour.
The most common alternatives are made from fibre-cement and concrete, which both offer cost savings over traditional slate, but offer a slightly different aesthetic. Other alternatives include recycled or reconstituted slate roof tiles.
The most common types of slate tiles and slate alternatives are:
Natural slates
The classic slate tile is a thin sheet of quarried rock that is double lapped and secured to the batten with nails or slate hooks. This has been used as a method of roofing for thousands of years and the highest quality slate is native to the UK, with several lower cost import options also available
The Rivius antique slate is an innovative flat clay roof tile with a riven surface to mimic the look and feel of slate. Durable, weatherproof and with a striking dark colour, yet quicker and easier to install than a natural slate, it is easy to see why the Rivius is the roof tile of choice for so many projects.
Fibre-cement
Fibre-cement uses layers of cellulose, reinforcing fibres and cement, making them quite different in make-up from slate tiles. These alternatives have the same form and thickness as natural slate, and offer value for money, but do not enjoy the same level of durability or longevity of colour.
