How to Spanish Tile a Roof
Spanish tiles are a popular roofing option, thanks to their bright colors, rich textures and durability. Spanish roof tiles require almost no maintenance once they're installed, are fireproof and almost indestructible. While traditional shingles and wooden tiles are hung by nailing them directly to a roof, Spanish tiles are made from hard-fired clay, so an underlining must be hung to hold the tiles in place. This makes it much easier to organize how the tiles are hung and allows roofers to have more control over the pattern the tiles will create. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Tiles
- Pencil
- Chalk line
- Underlining
- Roofing nails
- Hammer
- Roof glue
- Batten strips
Instructions
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1
Measure the length of a tile, from the bottom of the tile to the lug on the back of the tile that will hang on the wooden battens. Subtract 2 to 3 inches from the height to allow for overhang.
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2
Measure from the edge of the roof to the distance indicated in the previous measurement and make a mark with a pencil. Move 10 feet along the edge of the roof and repeat the process. Continue every 10 feet until measurements have been taken along the entire roof.
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3
Hold a chalk line tight against the first mark. Stretch the line taut along the roof to the next mark. Lift up on the chalk line to increase the tension, then let it snap loose against the roof to mark a solid line where the underlining will go. Continue until a line has been made across the entire roof.
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4
Place a liberal amount of roofing glue along the bottom of the underlining and place it on the roof against the chalk line. Secure the underlining in place with roofing nails.
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5
Repeat the entire process again, with the newly attached underlining acting as the base the measurement should be made from. Continue until underlining has been secured to the entire roof.
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6
Place the wooden batten strips against the underlining and secure them in place with roofing nails. Position them so the top edge of the batten strips is flush with the top edge of the underlining sheets.
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7
Secure the Spanish tiles to the roof by hanging them from the knobs on the wooden battens. In areas with high winds and other inclement weather, roof glue can be applied to the bottom edges of the tiles to help keep them secured to the roof.
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Tips & Warnings
The underlining and battens used for roofing with Spanish tile doubles as footholds while on the roof. Before starting the project, secure a few of the battens to the roof with roofing nails in a ladder configuration so workers can be secure while the first few rows are attached. As the work progresses up the roof, the battens can be removed to make way for the underlining.
Working on roofs is dangerous. Move carefully and try and maintain three points of contact on sloped roofs to prevent accidental tumbles.
The sun is an oft-overlooked danger to roofers. Roofers have little protection from the sun and need to be aware of staying hydrated and using sunscreen to avoid getting sick or hurt while on a roof.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
