JOIN USRoofs form a large part of the cost of an extension, particularly, if it is a pitched roof, which is why a lot of people go for the cheaper option of a flat roof.
But flat roofs don’t last as long and are prone to developing leaks that are hard to fix, as water ‘pools’ on the surface. They also don’t tend to blend in with the rest of the house particularly well, unless the property has flat roofs throughout.
Roof exteriors of a house define the a large part of the aesthetics. For generations, we have all built houses using concrete roofing, which have looked kind of quaint and allowed limited flexibility to experiment with design (using concrete as a roofing material). Roof tops which pepper the coastal cities and towns in South India, primarily, are built using clay. This is because clay roofing tiles offer many advantages over concrete in three important aspects:
Clay materials are more architect- and design-friendly.
Clay roof tiles available today are built to last beyond a 100 years.
Clay is a natural product from nature, is eco-friendly and helps keep temperatures cool (during summers) and trap heat and keep the house warm (during winters).
So, why are clay roof tiles better? There is a lot of technology know-how which goes behind making modern day clay roof tiles, right from securing the best clay from nature, quality testing it before it goes into production etc. Also, they don’t fade or dull for decades.
Easy to install & maintain
When compared with concrete roofs, clay roofs are incredibly easy to install and maintain. As a result, fewer labour hours are required to get your roofing done, and it is incredibly easy to maintain, as modern day clay roof tiles are waterproof,
non-corrosive and protect the house against acid rains.
Strong, robust and long-lasting
Since clay is abundantly available in nature, and has been for thousands of years, we humans (since the days of our ancestors) have been using clay as primary building material in the form of clay bricks, clay facades and clay roof tiles for generations.
Even in the humid and hot conditions in coastal areas in India, we find houses with clay roof tiles. These houses hardly have air conditioners or fans fitted; yet clay has remarkable qualities to bounce heat of its surface and keep the inside temperature at check.
Regardless of the size of your house extension, these are the five points to
remember while choosing the clay as your roofing solutions:
Aesthetics: The design and finishing of the clay roof tiles you choose has to fuse with the extension itself. Always consult an architect to help create a
perfect extension.
Robust & durable: Clay offers certain advantages which no other building
material can. Clay is non-toxic, waterproof, acid rain-proof, humidity proof, and long-lasting. After the design of your extension, consider its longevity. This will help you choose the right building material.
Variety: Modern day clay roof tiles are available in a wide variety of colours,
finishes, textures and shapes. Be sure to invest quality time to check for varieties and designs and also to consult your architect. Modern day clay roof tiles are not only eco- and pocket-friendly, they are also design-friendly.
Cost: Building materials made of clay are robust and offer aesthetics to your house. These aspects come at affordable prices and offer premium looks. This combination is unbeatable.
Brand: Last but not the least, it is always advisable to check the authenticity of the brand, their manufacturing plant locations, brand and product credentials before choosing your roof tiles.
(The author is marketing manager, Wienerberger India.)