How to Install a Concrete Villa Tile Roof

So you want install a concrete villa style tile roof. Although the clay tile roof used to be expensive to achieve, now with the advent of concrete roof tiles you can now get one for about half the cost of materials. Here is how to install a concrete tile roof so you can enjoy that old villa look.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheathing
• Roofing membrane
• Roofing felt
• Flashing
• Tile
• Nail gun
• Circular saw

1. Make sure the roof slope is at a 3/12 pitch minimum. If it's any shallower than this the concrete tile could cause leaks.

2. Lay proper roof sheathing for your tiles. Concrete is a heavy construction material at 10 pounds per square foot, so be sure that you use 3/4-inch plywood for longevity.

3. Roll out underlayment for the tile roof. This is generally a waterproof membrane that is sealed. A self sticking bituminous membrane works well for this, then a layer of 30-pound felt.

4. Put in battens parallel to the eaves to nail the tiles to. If your roof is in a warm climate without a freeze and thaw cycle and is sloped less than 7/12, then you may nail directly into the sheathing.

5. Nail tiles into the batten using a nail gun. You need to cut tiles at the hip and ridge with a circular saw with a diamond blade.

6. Install two layers of flashing around all plumbing to keep leaks at bay. You may also want to crease the felt in these areas and turn it up instead of cutting it. This also helps avoid leaks.