Terracotta Roofing Tiles Versus Metal

How do they stack up?
Although roofs have been tiled for thousands of years, it wasn't until the 1890s that the first machine-made terracotta roof tiles came to Australia from France and challenged the supremacy of slate in quality housing.
Century-old Marseilles tiles still look handsome and function perfectly in suburbs such as Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn. Today's terracotta tiles have improved even further. However since the 1960s there have also been significant developments in competitive materials such as painted metal sheeting.
So how does terracotta stack up against this (relative) newcomer?

Cost
Initial cost
On average, a metal roof will be somewhere between the cost of a concrete and a terracotta tiled roof. The cost differential
between terracotta and metal narrows with more complex roof formations.
Lifecycle cost
No contest: terracotta will not corrode or fade over its considerably longer life.
Warranties
The colour and structural performance of terracotta roof tiles are warranted for up to 50 years. And tiles are usually sold as
supply and install, giving a single point of contact.
Resale value
It's a simple fact that buyers prefer the traditional good looks of terracotta tiles.

Appearance
Colour
Terracotta wins again with more colours, including multi-colours, blends and special colours for large orders. Terracotta
glazes are kiln-fired into the tile body and don't fade.
Texture
Tiles come in a variety of profiles from high rolls to flat shingles, adding texture and interest to a roof.

Performance
Absorption
One of the furphies about tiles is that they absorb 'tons' of water, overloading the building structure. Under the Australian
Standard, tiles must not absorb more than 10 per cent of their weight following 24 hours immersion in water! Most come in at about half that figure.
High winds
In practice, wind places much higher loads on a structure than does water absorption. Tile weight helps counter wind
uplift. Terracotta tiles interlock firmly thanks to head and side laps and they can be nailed or clipped if required. Flexible pointing minimises or eliminates capping dislodgment.
Corrosion
Tiled roofs are not subject to corrosion at penetrations.

In use
Water collection
No significant difference, a small amount of water is absorbed into an unglazed tile, almost none if it's fully glazed. Tile
glazes are non-toxic.
Storm damage
Individual tiles are easily replaced if they are damaged, for example, by falling tree limbs.
Quietness
Tiles don't creak with expansion and contraction and a downpour doesn't drown conversation under a tiled roof.
Condensation
A tiled roof 'breathes' to minimise condensation. This is assisted by larger roof space volume under most tiled roofs.

With such a long list of advantages, it's no wonder that terracotta continues to set the standard in value, appearance and performance in Australian roofing.