Clay Roof Tile Classification

Clay Roof Tiles

In this ever changing world of fashion, what a remarkable resilience clay has within the building materials sector.

From the humble beginnings of mud huts, to the present day energy saving structures, clay products continue combine trusted performance, longevity and aesthetic appeal.

Clay roof tiles are now available in three distinct categories:

·         Genuine hand made  … using the traditional forming method of a hand operated mould, the clay is shaped, then each tile is hand finished.

·    Hand crafted  … using a simple flow production process, the tiles are formed using automated machines, then each tile is hand finished.

·         Machine made  … automation coupled with mass production.

The main difference between each category is that of its closeness in appearance to pre-existing roofs, and price. It is rapidly becoming a fact that clay tiles can compete in price with all other roofing products, with concrete tiles increasingly under pressure from the machine made clay tiles.

Within the UK, it is a fact that manufacturing costs have now increased to the point where imports are becoming increasingly an option for many customers. The advantage of cheaper labour rates obviously influences the end user price, particularly in the hand made sector. It is a fact that if the overseas manufacturer complies with the UK specification and standards, the quality and performance of the product is equal to genuine UK production.

The current rising fuel costs plus the increasing costs imposed by legislation, are adding to the demise of the true ‘Hand Made in the UK’ manufacturer, forcing the conversion of resources towards machine made. In this sector, energy management systems and improved production processes have advanced considerably, thereby enabling cost savings to be passed on to the customer.

So whatever the source, clay roof tiles have both formed and preserved character within our buildings and architectural landscapes. Clay tiles are viewed as durable, possessing lasting visual effect, are a plentiful natural resource and offer energy efficiency from use. 

Accepting all the above facts, the most important reason for specifying clay roof tiles, is that they form part of the local character and attributes  that define our heritage and our future.

Paul Lythgoe

Managing Director