Installation of Clay Roof Tiles
Clay roof tiles give a building a traditional look and, when the right type of tile for the weather in the region is chosen, they will last a long time; providing excellent protection against the elements. Installation of clay roof tiles is a big job that cannot be completed in a day but when two or three days are set aside, you can transform the roof of your house on your own, and save yourself a large amount of money in contractors' fees. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Scaffolding
- Underfelt
- 1 inch clout nails
- 1 1/2 inch wide, 3/4 inch thick tanalised timber battens
- Long clout nails
Instructions
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Set up the scaffolding so you can access the roof safely. Stack the tiles on the roof in bundles of five across the rooftop so they are readily available wherever needed. Roll out underfelt horizontally over the roof, starting along the gutter line, on one side of the roof. Nail the felt to the rafters with 1-inch clout nails. Overlap the next strip of underfelt 4 inches over the top of the first.
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2
Lay underlay on the other side of the roof in the same way as you laid the first side. Lay a strip of underlay along the ridge line with a 6-inch overlap on either side of the ridge. Nail the underlay to the rafters with the 1-inch clout nails.
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3
Lay the battens, which are 1 1/2-by-3/4-inch strips of tanalised timber that stretch horizontally along the entire width of the roof. Nail the battens to the rafters through the underlay using long clout nails. Lay the battens with a spacing between each batten as determined by the tile manufacturer's instructions; as the distances will vary depending on the exact dimensions of the tiles.
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4
Lay the first row of tiles at the bottom of the roof. Line up the bottom edge of each tile with the roof edge. Nail each tile in place on the battens through the holes in the top of the tiles using long clout nails. Lay the second row of tiles above the first, with the second row overlapping the first by 2 inches. Nail the second row onto the battens through the holes in the tiles.
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5
Continue to nail rows of tiles to the roof until both sides of the roof are tiled. Lay ridge tiles over the ridge line so the tiles overlap the top row of tiles on each side of the roof. Nail the ridge tiles to the roof through the holes in the tiles, using long clout nails.
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Tips & Warnings
When laying the underfelt on the roof, a slight sag of up to half an inch between rafters is acceptable and can even help ensure rainwater that gets under the tiles runs off the roof efficiently.
There are three kinds of clay roof tiles. One is designed for areas that get a lot of frost, one for snowy areas and the final type is designed for traditionally hot regions. Choose the type of tile that is best for the weather you get in your area and your tiles will last much longer.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
