TILE ROOFS, OR JUST COSMETIC?
Q: Is it true that the tiles on my roof are just for cosmetic proposes because the waterproofing is really the layer below the tiles?
A: No. In fact, this idea has done more harm to the tile roofing industry then anything else we know. Think about it: tile roofs have been around for thousands of years, but in Greek and Roman times, they certainly didn’t have a roll of waterproofing material underneath! An additional waterproofing layer, called “underlayment” [link to diagram], is a great modern improvement to tile technology, and it provides an additional safety net, but it is not the primary waterproofing mechanism of the tile roof. In a properly-installed tile roof the tiles and flashings [link to diagram] act as the waterproofing, and the roof system will have a useful life of 40-50 years. If the tiles don’t do their job and the underlayment is actually the waterproofing, then that same roof will only have a useful life of 15-20 years.
Knowledgeable organizations like the Tile Roof Institute (www.tileroofing.org) have been trying for years to correct mistaken ideas about tile roofing. Hire a certified contractor who understands how to install a tile roof, and you will save yourself money, time, and years of anguish.
Notes: TopLine roofing installation
US Tile: Clay “S” - Color 3 color blend, Rancho Bernado , CA 