While composite shingles are the least expensive type of roofing, they are unlikely to last more than fifteen years, at which point they will need to be replaced completely. On the other hand, Mediterranean roof tile, which has been around for thousands of years, can easily pay for itself in this regard, even though the initial investment is significantly more. Med roof-tile made from kiln-fired clay or terra-cotta can last for over a hundred years – and can be the ultimate finishing touch on an upscale, custom-built home.

Variety

Mediterranean roofs dates back as much as 6000 years; archaeologists in Greece have found such roof tiles dating back to the time of the semi-legendary King Agamemnon. Mediterranean roof tiles made during the Bronze Age are still recycled and used on homes in the region to the present day – a tribute to their durability.

During Roman times, the use of such shingle tile grew in popularity, particularly among the wealthy and aristocracy. As the empire grew, Roman roof times were exported to Hispania, Gaul, Britannia and other provinces that later formed the nations of the present-day E.U.

The descendant of Roman shingle tiles, Mission roof tile arrived in the New World by way of Spanish colonists. Mission roof tiles are still popular in Southern California and Florida as well as Latin America.

Advantages

Not only are Mediterranean roofs such as mission and pan and cover roofing very attractive, adding a great deal of visual appear to the homes exterior – they are also incredibly durable. Pan and cover roofing material may be made from terra cotta or clay, or even ceramic – in which case they are not only beautiful, but virtually indestructible. If this seems counter-intuitive, remember that ceramic is used for high-end brake linings – possibly the most extreme conditions that any material can be subjected to.

What To Keep In Mind

For wall its beauty and strength, Mediterranean roof tile is not appropriate for every home. Aside from the fact that such roofing material requires a great deal of skill to install correctly, the primary issue is weight: Mediterranean roofs weigh considerably more than their composite or cedar shake counterparts. If you are building a custom home, you should plan the architecture with this in mind. If you are thinking of installing Mediterranean roof tile on an existing home, make certain that the structure is able to bear the added weight before investing in this type of roofing.