Fred Martin

Concrete and clay tiles are popular roofing materials in hot climates. But tile can provide a durable roof in any climate zone, provided steps are taken to deal with the prevailing conditions. In this article we’ll focus on two of the most challenging environments for tile: high-wind and cold-climate regions.

In high-wind zones, there are two primary issues to solve. The first is to keep wind-driven rain out; success here depends on the waterproofing system beneath the tile. The second is to prevent tiles from either getting smashed by wind-borne projectiles or being lifted by high winds and becoming projectiles themselves. Success here depends on the fastening system. Mechanical fasteners and two-part foam adhesive work best, although they are not the only systems allowed by code.

In cold climates, wind-driven snow can be an issue, but the main problem is ice damming. Tile is brittle and cannot withstand normal efforts to remove snow and ice from a roof, so a design solution must be found. While most severe ice-damming problems are caused by heat loss from the building and can be solved by thorough air-sealing and complete insulation, those efforts alone aren’t always enough. Solar radiation can play a role in melting snow, especially at high altitudes, and melt-water may refreeze when clouds move in or night falls. Complete success comes from building a cold roof.