Metal roof tiles or clay tiles: which to choose?

Metal roof tiles are far lighter, 4 kg/m², and are installed in large sheets cut to the length of the slope. Clay tiles usually weigh 40–50 kg/m², about ten times as much, are laid one by one and need a roof structure to match. If you are renovating an old roof or want quick installation, metal roof tiles are the simpler choice; if you want the traditional material and the structure is built for its weight, you choose clay.

How much does each weigh?

BELPROFILE metal roof tiles weigh 4 kg/m², which makes them lightweight roof tiles. An ordinary clay tile roof weighs around 40–50 kg/m². The difference is felt in the roof structure: in a renovation, a light roof puts far less load on the existing timber.

How is each installed?

Metal roof tiles come in sheets with an effective width of 1060–1150 mm, cut to the length of the slope, and are fixed to battens spaced at 350 mm. A slope is covered with a few sheets. Clay tiles are laid one by one.

What pitch does each need?

BELPROFILE metal roof tiles are installed from 14°, that is 25%. For lower pitches there are click roofing sheets, from 12°, and standing seam, from 3.5°. The minimum pitch of a clay tile depends on the model and is checked in its manufacturer's data sheet.

How long does each last?

A metal roof installed correctly, in a ventilated system, can last more than 40–50 years. The warranty of BELPROFILE metal roof tiles is 40 years for the PrinTech and BigStone finishes, 30 years for Matt and 20 years for SunClear. Clay tiles also last for decades.

What do they look like?

Metal roof tiles keep the pattern of the classic tile. BELPROFILE makes them in five profiles, from Nordic, with simple lines, to Riviera, with a rounded, Mediterranean profile, in 11 colours and four finishes, among them a textured matt one (BigStone) and a printed one (PrinTech).

When do you choose metal roof tiles?

• you are renovating and want to load the roof structure as little as possible;
• you want the roof finished quickly;
• you want a particular colour, from anthracite grey to chocolate brown;
• you want the warranty written on the finish.

When do you choose clay tiles?

• the house has a roof structure built for their weight;
• you want the traditional material.

In short

Metal roof tiles: 4 kg/m², large sheets, a pitch from 14°, a warranty of 20–40 years. Clay tiles: about ten times heavier, laid one by one. For the price of a metal tile roof, ask for a quote with its dimensions.