A Quick Guide to Concrete Tile Roof Life Expectancy

Concrete roofing was first introduced in the 1900s as an alternative to clay tiles. Over time, it has become a popular roofing option in states like Florida, favored for its durability and versatile aesthetics. However, the material is not without its challenges. What are they, and how long does a concrete tile roof last? 

Keep reading to learn about the lifespan of a concrete tile roof and how its challenges affect that lifespan. 

Challenges of Concrete Tiles

It is essential to understand the challenges of concrete tiles to make an educated choice when selecting your next roofing material. Understanding these challenges is not only important in making your decision but also plays a role in answering the most crucial question: how long do concrete roofs last? 

The Weight

Concrete is heavy. It weighs around 9.5 to 12 lbs per sq ft; while that may not sound like a lot, that’s about 820 to 1,100 lbs per 100 sq ft of roof. It is one of the heaviest roofing materials on the market, right in between clay and slate tiles. 

If your roof’s load capacity isn’t sufficient, it will need to be reinforced to support the roof’s weight. Without this additional support, the roof’s weight will weaken the support over time and potentially lead it to collapse. While it doesn’t necessarily impact the lifespan of the roof, failing to ensure proper structural support can lead to your roof becoming damaged and needing to be replaced much sooner than it should be.

Weathering

How long do concrete roofs last? One of the more significant determining factors is whether your tiles are weatherproofed to prevent water absorption.

Concrete is a naturally porous material and absorbs water. In a state like Florida, this doesn’t just mean the tiles will absorb rainfall; they will also absorb the humidity in the air. 

This absorption makes tiles heavier and can strain the roof’s structure. It will also lead to degradation and cracking due to the constant exposure to moisture from high humidity levels and frequent rainfall. This moisture will also lead to the growth of mold and algae, which are not only damaging to the tile’s surface but also affect the lifespan of a concrete roof.

To prevent this, you need to waterproof the tiles using an appropriate sealant, which will help minimize the amount of water absorption, prolonging the lifespan of your roof.

Underlayment

A roof’s underlayment is essential to roofing, providing critical protection underneath the tiles. Unfortunately, underlayments tend to deteriorate much quicker with Florida’s climate, especially asphalt-based underlayments. This deterioration means the underlayment will be less effective at protecting your home from moisture and other environmental damage.

To avoid potential damage, you need to replace this underlayment. Unfortunately, replacing the underlayment isn’t something you can just do; it requires removing the tiles, which isn’t easy and shortens the concrete tile roof lifespan. Often, tiles can be broken during removal and require replacing, and color-matching tiles can be difficult.

Efflorescence

Over time, concrete goes through a process called efflorescence. This chemical reaction occurs between the cement’s lime and the air’s carbon dioxide. It can cause a white, crystalline deposit to form on the surface of the concrete. It is purely cosmetic and has no effect on a concrete roof tile lifespan; it will eventually go away on its own.

Maintenance 

How long do concrete tile roofs last? Everything listed above significantly impacts a concrete roof’s lifespan, but these aren’t the only things. Maintenance is another aspect that significantly impacts a concrete tile roof’s lifespan. 

Maintenance is essential to prolonging the life of a concrete tile roof. This involves waterproofing the tile with sealants, cleaning the tiles to remove moss, mold, and mildew, replacing cracked or broken tiles, repairing cracked mortar, and more. Not taking the time to complete these maintenance tasks will leave your roof prone to damage and can significantly shorten its lifespan, leading to the need to replace it much sooner. 

So, How Long Does a Concrete Tile Roof Last?

With all these challenges in mind, the main question remains: How long do concrete roof tiles last?

A concrete tile roof has a lifespan of around 30 to 50 years. However, this depends on everything above, particularly the maintenance. A well-maintained, properly installed concrete tile roof lifespan can go up to 75 years. 

Concrete Roofing With Crown

Florida Speciality Roofing offers concrete tile roofing from Crown Roof Tiles, a company that produces concrete tiles in various profiles. Crown Tiles offer many benefits, including:

• Durability: Class 4 Impact Rating and Class A Fire Rating are the highest ratings possible.
• Waterproof System: All tiles are covered in a protective coating, creating a low permeability tile.
• Thermal Insulation: Tiles are coated in a reflective coating that also acts as an air cushion between the roof and tiles, providing insulation and lowering energy costs.
• UV Protection: A protective coating protects the tiles from UV rays and the elements, helping to extend the roof’s longevity and reducing maintenance costs.

Crown tiles come in various styles, including an elegant barrel and options that mimic the look of natural clay, slate, and wood shakes, with beautiful color options to match. These tiles allow for better ventilation and water shedding, which helps to protect and prolong the life of the underlayment, even in Florida’s climate.Contact Florida Specialty Roofing today to learn more about Crown Roof Tiles and how they are better than the average concrete tile.