All About terracotta tiles When it comes to roofing, clay tile is perhaps the most venerable. It is also the most durable terracotta tiles dating from 2000 years are still used for the construction of houses in the Mediterranean region. It is also popular in Latin America and the terra cotta tile southwestern United States is pretty common for houses classic Mission Los Angeles Basin, where the Spanish colonial style of architecture first became popular a century ago.
A clay tile is born
As fine pottery or ceramic, terracotta tiles are baked for durability. The main difference is that the pottery is made while on a wheel by hand, clay tiles are made with a mold in order to ensure they are consistent. These roofing materials in particular must be carefully designed. Generally, they must meet two important criteria:
1. They should lock for easy installation and safe
2. They should have the right channels that water directly into the gutter
As they are created, the master craftsman can add different pigments of the material from which he / she made clay tiles. This may add or improve the appearance of the final product, some techniques can also be used to make clay tiles antiqued or weathered.
In all cases, once terracotta tiles emerge from cooking, they are coated with a special glaze for protection. In most cases, these roofing can last more than a hundred years or more.
How we can improve the appearance of your house
Not only sustainable with terracotta tiles and colored edges to create interesting shadows, casting models throughout the day, the sun moves across the sky, which for a single type of interest visual.
It is not for every home
Of course, there are good reasons that clay tiles are not common in the northern regions of the planet. According to the location of your home, you want to choose one of three grades of clay tiles.
The first category is more resistant to frost and heavy to withstand winters in Montana. The second is less so it can withstand a certain amount of snow and ice, but may crack if the concentration of weather below 32 degrees, once too often. The third year of terracotta tiles are only suitable for milder, Mediterranean style climate. As expected, Grade 1 tile is more expensive.
If you decide to terracotta tiles, it is also important to understand that they are a bit heavier than the standard composite roofing materials. If you plan to use clay tiles, make sure you build your house is able to bear the load.
Posted on May 30, 2010.