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Clay roof tile is a ceramic product made up of a solid unit of clay or shale, or both, formed into any shape, generally rectangular planar shapes while in a plastic state and fired in a kiln.
Contents:
Classification of Clay Roof Tiles
The clay roof tiles are classified based on the grade for durability and appearance as per the ASTM specification.
Grades of Clay Roof Tiles
- Grade 1- Providing resistance to severe frost action.
- Grade 2- Providing resistance to moderate frost action.
- Grade 3- Providing negligible resistance to any frost action.
- Grades relate to exposure to weather as defined in Table 1.
Types of Clay Roof Tiles based on Appearance
- Type I- High-profile tiles- tiles having a rise-to-width ratio greater than 1:5.
- Type II- Low-profile tiles- tiles having a rise-to-width ratio equal to or less than 1:5.
- Type III- All other tiles, including flat.
Physical Properties of Clay Roof Tiles
- The tiles shall be free of defects, deficiencies, or bloating that would interfere with the laying/placing of the tiles, the performance of the roof, or the requirements of this specification.
- When broken, tiles shall have a dark area with a steely appearance and are sharply delineated from the surrounding normal color of the tile. This dark area is known as the black heart or black core.
- The exposed tile surface shall be free of chipping or other imperfections detracting from the appearance when viewed from a distance of 12 m under the illumination of not less than 50 FC (538 lm/m) by an observer with normal vision.
- When exposed to 50 cycles of the freezing-and-thawing test, the tile must exhibit no breaking, no crack formation that exceeds the minimum dimension of the specimen, and no more than 0.5 percent loss in dry weight.
- The transverse breaking strength of tiles shall be determined as described for the flexure test and shall comply with the requirements given in Table 2.
Tolerances on Dimensions and Weight
1. Dimension
The total variation in individual tiles' dimensions shall not be more than 65% from the nominal dimension specified by the manufacturer. The average dimensions shall not be less than the nominal dimensions.
2. Weight
The total variation in weight of individual tiles shall not be greater than 6-10% from the nominal weight specified by the supplier. The average weight shall not be greater than 6-10 % of the nominal weight.
Advantages of Clay Roof Tiles
1. Long Lifespan
A roof made of clay roof tiles has a lifetime of around 150 years. A clay roof tile is a long-lasting material that is unaffected by the passage of time or the most severe weather conditions.
2. Resistant to Extreme Weather Conditions
Clay roof tiles can endure even the most severe weather. Clay roof tiles are resistant to extreme frost due to the nature of their pores. However, these pores are not filled with water due to rain or snow.
3. Easy to Maintain
The clay tile roof's ease of maintenance is mostly due to the conventional forms in which they are available and their remarkably simple installation procedure.
4. Suitable for both Sloping and Curved Roof
Clay roof tiles are available in various convenient sizes, colors, and installation techniques that are remarkably simple. Consequently, they may now be used to restore any sloped or curving roof or facade. They've even been customized to match the modern style and aesthetics of the roof.
5. Easy to Handle and Environmentally Friendly
Another advantage of clay roof tiles is that they are lightweight, making them easy to handle. Without a doubt, a valuable tool in the installation of our roofs. Furthermore, this results in considerable savings in the transportation of our roof tiles. This is undoubtedly beneficial to the environment since it results in lower carbon monoxide emissions.
Disadvantages of Clay Roof Tiles
1. Not 100% wind resistant
Clay tiles are not wind-resistant, they are more wind resistant than other roofing materials, but they can still move about or fall off the roof in heavy gusts.
2. Weight
They are substantially lighter than concrete tiles, yet they may exert a significant load on the roof. As a result, they are unsuitable for unstable structures and may require roof reinforcement before installation.
3. Fragile
Clay tiles can become fragile in cold conditions. This is due to the fact that frequent freezing and thawing weakens them. When put under pressure, brittle tiles are more prone to breakage. Even in warmer climates, clay tiles are brittle and easily shattered.
FAQs
Clay roof tile is a ceramic product made up of a solid unit of clay or shale, or both, formed into any shape, generally rectangular planar shapes while in a plastic state and fired in a kiln.
1. The tiles shall be free of defects, deficiencies, or bloating that would interfere with the laying/placing of the tiles, the performance of the roof, or the requirements of this specification.
2. When broken, tiles shall have a dark area with a steely appearance and are sharply delineated from the surrounding normal color of the tile. This dark area is known as the black heart or black core.
3. The exposed tile surface shall be free of chipping or other imperfections detracting from the appearance when viewed from a distance of 12 m under the illumination of not less than 50 FC (538 lm/m) by an observer with normal vision.
4. When exposed to 50 cycles of the freezing-and-thawing test, the tile must exhibit no breaking, no crack formation that exceeds the minimum dimension of the specimen, and no more than 0.5 percent loss in dry weight.
5. The transverse breaking strength of tiles shall be determined as described for the flexure test and shall comply with the requirements.
The advantages of clay roof tiles are listed below.
1. Long Lifespan
2. Resistant to Extreme Weather Conditions
3. Easy to Maintain
4. Suitable for both Sloping and Curved Roof
5. Easy to Handle and Environmentally Friendly
Read More
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Transverse Strength Test on Roofing Tiles Based on ASTM C 1167 and IS
