A Complete Buyer’s Guide to Spanish Barrel Tile Roofing

Spanish barrel tile roofing, like most clay tile types of roofing materials, can last up to 100 years. Wow! No wonder they’re such a popular choice for homes across the U.S. 

What’s even better is that a long lifespan isn’t the only benefit of Spanish barrel tiles. There are several more! But just like with a lot of things, you’ll also run into several downsides. 

Read on to learn everything you need to know about Spanish barrel tile roofing. 

What Is Spanish Barrel Tile Roofing? 

Spanish barrel tiles, despite their name, don’t take on a barrel shape. Rather, they have more of a sideways S-shape. That is, each tile consists of one hill and one valley curve. 

These tiles are also often made of clay. Metal versions do exist. However, many people still like the attractive old-world appearance that traditional clay tiles offer their homes. 

So why do these S-shaped tiles even have the term barrel in their name? It likely has to do with how similar they look to Mission-style barrel tiles. These tiles consist of a single half-barrel shape and nothing more. 

What Are the Pros of Spanish Clay Roofing Tiles? 

So why would someone want to buy Spanish barrel tiles for their home? There are several reasons why they can make an excellent choice. 

Environmentally Friendly 

Clay is one of the most natural roofing materials in existence. When you need to replace your roof, you won’t need to worry that your clay tiles will cause harm to the environment. The tiles can easily return to the earth where they came from. 

Recyclable 

Plus, manufacturers can recycle the clay from the tiles if they wish. They can break the clay down, mix it up, and shape it into new tiles. 

Enhanced Roof Appearance 

Spanish clay roofing tiles offer more than just home protection. Their elegant curved shape and natural red coloring can be a delight to the eyes. It’s complex but not complex enough for people to find the design overwhelming. 

Ornamental 

Most roofing materials, such as composite shingles, are flat in appearance. So people may register Spanish clay roofing as more ornamental. A home with smooth exterior walls can match the clay roof tiles perfectly. 

Variety of Colors 

Does that natural red color not match the color that you wanted to paint your home’s exterior wall? That’s not a problem! Manufacturers offer a wide variety of color options for their Spanish barrel tiles.  

Durable Materials 

People may hesitate to get Spanish clay roofing because they think clay is too fragile. They’ll think back to any clay possessions they may have had and how these shattered the moment they fell to the floor. But clay tiles are more durable than many may think. 

Stay on Top 

You also won’t have to worry about Spanish tiles flying off your roof in strong winds. Clay tiles are heavy. As long as a qualified roofer installs your tiles, they should stay where they are. 

Fire Resistant 

Clay tiles won’t catch on fire. They’ll offer you some protection should a fire burn around you or a firework hit your roof. 

Heat Resistant 

Clay tiles are resistant to heat. They throw back much of the heat that the sun throws at them. 

This trait doesn’t just guarantee that your tiles won’t warp in the heat. It also guarantees that your home below the tiles will stay cool. This can be a great help if you live in a hotter climate. 

What Are the Cons of Spanish Clay Roofing Tiles? 

But before you decide that you must have these tiles, know that they’re not perfect. Many cons can prove these tiles may not be the right ones for your home. 

Appearance Clashes 

Yes, Spanish barrel tile roofing is beautiful. But that doesn’t mean that it works with every style of home. It works best with smooth adobe walls like those you’d find in the Mediterranean. 

Siding 

The complexity of the siding design can clash with the complexity of the Spanish barrel tiles’ design. Neutral-colored stucco siding is commonly paired with clay tile roofing. Vinyl siding is less commonly seen with Spanish tiles, but with the right color, it could work.

Struggles in Certain Weathers

There’s a good reason why you tend to see clay tiles in hotter climates. Clay tiles don’t work as well in cold climates that often experience cold styles of storms. 

Weak to Cold 

Clay tiles tend to become brittle when the weather gets too cold. These dramatic shifts in temperature may even cause them to crack. 

Heavy Impacts 

Yes, hurricanes in tropical regions can throw large items against Spanish tile roofing. But hailstorms are more common and happen more often in colder regions. Hailstones can shatter Spanish tiles. 

Expensive to Buy and Install 

Clay tiles are one of the more expensive types of roofing materials. There are a few reasons why this is the case. 

Hard to Install 

Roofers need to get roofing materials onto the roof before they can install them. Since clay tiles are heavy, it’s hard for roofers to carry them onto roofs. It will take them a long time to get the work done. 

Most roofers charge by the hour. So the longer it takes a roofer to install roofing, the more the homeowner will pay. 

Hard to Ship 

The heavy weight of clay tiles can also severely affect their shipping price. Roofing contractors have to pay a large amount to ship tiles to their locations. They pass this cost on to their clients. 

Florida Spanish Tile Roofs 

There are a wide variety of roofing types out there. If you decide Spanish barrel tile roofing isn’t for you, you’ll still have plenty of other options to choose from. But if you do choose Spanish clay roofing, you’ll get a beautiful roof that lasts for a long time. 

If you need new Florida roofing, contact us at Florida Specialty Roofing. Your satisfaction with your perfect HOA roofing choice is guaranteed. We offer DaVinci roofs, Brava roof tiles, and more. 

Get a free price quote by filling out the form on this page.