Which type of roofing tile should you choose? We run through the options

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to picking the right roof tile for your project.  Factors to consider include style of house, the look you want to achieve, roof gradient, planning considerations and budget.  

Image supplied by Masker Architects

Clay roof tiles

Clay roof tiles are hard to beat for character and looks. They can add real kerb appeal to a home. Products are available in a variety of hues from reds and oranges to greys and blues. Most manufacturers offer a 30-year guarantee on clay tiles, though they can last 60-plus years. The maintenance needed for clay roof tiles is low, although the odd one may crack over time and need replacing. Make sure to keep a few spare.

While clay roof tiles are on the more expensive end of the purchasing scale, there is a range of price options. Hand-crafted clay tiles typically cost twice as much as machine-made versions.

Clay products are one of the best tiles to use for high and moderate sloped roofs. The natural materials involved in the manufacture of make these tiles, make them an eco-friendly choice, especially if it’s a local clay. What’s more the natural properties of clay provide good colour stability, so the tiles won’t fade over time.

If you’re matching a new extension to a period property, clay tiles can be a great option. Council planning officers often favour clay products, especially in conservation areas and for listed buildings.

Concrete tiles

Concrete tiles are a more affordable option. There is a range of price points to suit most budgets. Concrete tiles are highly durable and can last 50 to 60 years too.

Factory-made to a consistent colour, size and surface finish, options include plain tiles, slate-style, terracotta-coloured traditional tiles and a whole range of profiles and interlocking profiles. The uniform dimensions make them easier to fit compared to hand-made clay tiles or slate. This makes laying time quicker and labour costs lower. Cement tiles are low-maintenance and highly frost-resistant, so freezing weather won’t lead to any cracking.

On the downside, concrete lacks the subtle variations in colour seen in natural materials, such as clay or slate. While most are coloured all the way through now, the finished look is achieved with a coating which may fade over time. Plus, concrete tiles absorb more water than clay, so are more prone to staining and mildew.

Concrete tiles are available in a range of sizes but tend to be bigger and heavier than clay. This can make achieving detail difficult, for example around a chimney.

Natural slate roof tiles

Cornwall, Cumbria and Wales are renowned for their distinctive, hand-crafted slate-roofed homes. The attractive variations in colour and grain of individual tiles make slate a highly desirable roofing material for both modern and traditional homes. Durability, frost resistance and a long life span up to 100-plus years are other key benefits.

Slate roofs require a pitch of 30 degrees or more, anything with a lower slope isn’t suitable. If you live in an area where slate is prevalent, it may be specified by the local planning authority to fit in with the local context.

On the downside, slate roof tiles are extremely heavy and the roof structure may need to be reinforced before they can be fitted.  It’s perhaps no surprise slate roofs can be expensive to install. 

Welsh slate is generally reckoned to be the best quality. In its heyday at the end of the 19th century, it was exported around the world as a roofing material. Welsh slate is still mined today, though at a much-reduced capacity. Now most of the natural roof slate used in the UK is from countries like Spain, Brazil and Argentina.

The cost of natural slate will depend on country of origin and the grade or thickness. Spanish roof slate prices start at around £1 a slate compared to £44p per slate for Brazilian roof late and £3 per Penrhyn Capital Grade Welsh Slate, according to Roofing Superstore prices January 2022.

Fibre cement roof slates

Man-made fibre cement roofing slate offers a more cost-effective alternative to natural slate tiles. They are made to a consistent thickness, so unlike traditional roof slate they don’t need sorting by thickness to cover a roof. Fibre cement slates are available in textured and smooth finishes and can offer a convincing alternative to the real thing. With prices starting at under £1 a slate (similar to Spanish slate) much of the cost saving comes in the ease of installation rather than the product.  Basically, the consistency of the product will save your roofer time. If UK-made, there’s an environmental benefit as there’s no need for them to be shipped from Europe or thousands of miles across the Atlantic.

Metal roofing

Metal roofing is growing in popularity due to its durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. Copper and zinc are premium materials and can give real wow factor to a home extension. Other options include aluminium and galvanised steel. Metal roofing is extremely strong and durable, lasting 40-70 years. Moreover, it is versatile and can be fitted onto pitches as low as 10 degrees while remaining watertight. This makes it suitable for low pitched, single-storey extensions.

However, metal roofs are more expensive than traditional roofing materials like slate and can be noisy in rainy or extreme weather conditions.   A copper roofing layer, including soldering, can cost £88 per m2 and labour a further £70 per m2, according to the website pricethisplease.

Reclaimed tiles and slates

Reclaimed roofing slates and peg tiles can be a perfect match for an extension to a period property or a renovation project, seamlessly blending old with new. They give instant character and authenticity. Plus, it’s a planet-friendly alternative to buying new.

Tiles and slates saved from a demolition project will probably still have a lot of life left in them, though you need to make sure you can source enough of the same type of reclaimed tile to do the job. Salvage specialists stock a variety of reclaimed machine made and traditional handmade ornamental products, such as bull nose hanging tiles.

Be aware that reclaimed tiles may vary in size and colour, making them more labour-intensive and expensive to install. They will also need to be fitted according to current standards regardless of how old they are.

With a wide choice of roofing tile available, the choices can feel overwhelming. But picking the right roof tile for your extension is vital. Ask your architect for expert advice.