Overview
Because the colour of clay runs right through the tile, it does not fade in the way a surface coating can. Many people also value the way clay weathers and mellows over time. Clay tiles come as small plain tiles, laid in a triple-lapped pattern, or as larger interlocking pantiles.
Plain clay tiles are small and need a steeper pitch and a large number of tiles per square metre, which affects both cost and structure. Interlocking clay tiles cover more area per tile and can suit slightly lower pitches.
Materials & construction
Clay tiles are hung on battens by nibs on their back edge and nailed or clipped where exposure demands. Plain tiles rely on a deep overlap for weatherproofing; interlocking tiles have side and head locks that shed water while using fewer tiles.
- Plain tiles — small, flat tiles laid double-lapped; a traditional look that needs a steeper pitch.
- Pantiles & interlocking tiles — larger profiled tiles that cover more area and suit lower pitches.
- Fixing — hung on battens by their nibs, then nailed or clipped against wind uplift.
Typical lifespan
| Element | Typical design life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Clay plain tiles | 60+ years | — |
| Clay interlocking tiles / pantiles | 50–60 years | — |
| Ridge and hip tiles (mortar-bedded) | 20–30 years | Re-bedding needed sooner than the field tiles |
Indicative only. Clay’s through-colour and frost resistance give it a long life, but exposure and the quality of the ridge bedding affect how it ages.
Pros & cons
Advantages
- Long lifespan, often 60 years or more
- Colour is fired through the clay and does not fade
- Traditional appearance that weathers attractively
- Good frost and fire resistance
- Resists moss better than rougher, more porous coverings
Things to consider
- More expensive than concrete tiles
- Plain tiles are heavy per square metre and need a steeper pitch
- Can be brittle — walking on them cracks tiles
- Colour matching for repairs on old roofs can be difficult
Maintenance
Looked after well, this roof type rewards you with a long, trouble-free life. The key things to keep on top of are:
- Replace cracked or frost-damaged tiles before water reaches the underlay
- Have mortar-bedded ridges and hips checked and re-bedded when they loosen
- Keep the roof clear of heavy moss on shaded slopes
- Check fixings on exposed elevations after severe storms
Related problems
Roofing in your area
Where this roof is common, and the local weather it faces — explore roofing by area and find a roofer near you.