Clay Shingles

The use of clay shingles as roofing materials in home are often associated with Spanish-themed home exterior design. In actuality, clay shingles were used in ancient homes and buildings during the reign of the Roman and Greek Empires. This tiling approach to roofing is indeed an ancient practice. And making use of this approach will certainly give home exterior a majestic look.

Clay was a common building component in the days of Plato. Perfect construction of clay was achieved by mixing in an appropriate volume of sand, soil and water. The earliest clay was as durable as concrete. In warm regions, the use of clay shingles is prevalent. Clay, interestingly, has an excellent resisting property to heat making it a perfect roof for hotter days.


Use of clay shingles spread incessantly across the European continent. Medieval homes were primarily roof thatched with clay tiles. And in the earlier part of the 13th century, King John of London ordered a civil mandate to use fire resistant materials for house roofs. This law made a leaping increase in the demand of clay roofing tiles.

In the 1400s, Kind Edward IV wrote the standards in clay shingle production particularly in the right dimensions of the tile. The clay tile roofing made a huge impact in home living that people were starting to use Tyler, a variation of Tiler, as a name.

Because of the different methods and availability of materials used in many places, clay shingles varied in design and quality. Some did not conform to the standards and were poorly made that it became brittle in just a few years. Some clay roof tile makers however have managed to maintain the superiority of clay crafting inherited from the Greeks and Romans. This consistency in the quality of clay shingle making retained a popularity of use. Notably, the clay roofing approach reached the North American region in the 16th century.

Clay tile roofing is comparatively fragile. They break and split even in tight and regular maintenance. Though one may find a single clay tile considerably weighty, this does not guarantee an enduring strength during heavy storms, or from falling of tree twigs.

Clay shingles are so delicate to install so it must be handled with utmost care and caution. Even during maintenance chores, one must be extra watchful not to break a tile, since clay shingles are not capable of enduring human weight. Fractured parts of clay shingles can even become dangerous if they slip and fall on humans.

All the more, these restrictions only happen after long use or as a result of inappropriate maintenance and direct hits like tree branches breaking off. Manufacturers and experienced homeowners have found clay shingles reasonably and fairly durable than one might think. Clay shingles are made of fired clay and this process produces a lasting bond in its molecular component making it compact and tough. Clay shingles also have the capability to bounce off the heat from the sun, which definitely makes the clay shingles a good cooling roof choice.

Unlike wood shingles, clay roof tiles are non-combustible. And they can also withstand hard wind blows because they are aerodynamically designed.

Coloring and pigmentation were done using a technological advancement that will retain its shade and will never fade out. Clay shingles are also fine to preserve the cultural legacy and architectural tradition of a certain country. Home exterior designers agree that clay shingles are flexible; they can virtually fit into any type of home exterior theme, whether it’s contemporary or classic.

Clay shingles can absolutely increase the timeless appeal of the house. However wear and tear may hamper the life expectancy of clay tiles. Since it is risky to walk out on the roof, it is advised to have a brisk check of the roof from the ground using binoculars. Cracked roof tiles will need immediate replacement.