What Is Roofing Tile?
Roofing tiles are the predominant roofing material used in Japanese architecture.
There are over 1,000 different types of roofing tiles, varying in style, use, firing method, color, grade, and region of origin. Clay tiles, in particular, are the most commonly used roofing material.
Clay tiles are crafted by shaping clay into tiles and baking them at high temperatures. When glazed before baking, they are known as ceramic tiles, available in various shades and resistant to discoloration.
Other types include cement tiles, primarily made of cement, and hybrid tiles containing resin fibers and air bubbles in cement. Cement tiles closely resemble ceramic tiles but tend to fade over time.
Uses of Roofing Tile
The primary roofing tile used is clay tile, with slight variations in usage depending on the type.
1. Glazed Tile
Glazed tiles find use in both Japanese and Western-style houses, chosen based on the house’s shape and design. They boast excellent design characteristics and have been favored in Japanese and Western architecture for many years.
2. Ibushi Roof Tile
Ibushi tiles, distinguished by their silver color, have historically adorned castles, shrines, and temples. They remain popular as roofing materials in Japanese architecture.
3. Unglazed Tiles
Unglazed tiles, with their natural pottery texture, are typically found in European port towns. They are favored for Western-style architecture, with Dubrovnik’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its picturesque landscape of red roofs made from unglazed tiles.
Types of Roofing Tile
Roofing tile types include ceramic, unglazed, smoked, cement, hon-aware, and copper tile.
1. Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tiles, also known as glazed tiles, feature a surface coated with glaze and baked.
2. Unglazed Tile
Commonly used in Western-style buildings, unglazed tiles showcase the natural texture of baked products.
3. Ibushi-Gawara
Ibushi tiles are silver-colored tiles smoked after firing to create a carbon film on the surface.
4. Cement Tile
Primarily composed of clay, cement tiles are slate roofing tiles that fade more readily than ceramic tiles and require periodic painting.
5. Hon-Gawara
Typically utilized in temples and samurai residences.
6. Copper Shingle Tile
Employed in shrines and temples, these tiles are crafted from copper.
How to Choose Roofing Tile
Roofing materials encompass tile, colonial, metal, and asphalt shingle. A standard tile boasts a life expectancy of 60 years.
Although initial costs are high, these materials prove valuable in the long term. Dry methods, devoid of stucco, have become standard, reducing maintenance compared to the past.
Colonials typically last 30 years but may require more frequent maintenance due to susceptibility to cracking and blistering in high winds. Metal roofing, with a life expectancy of 40 years, has become the most prevalent type due to increased demand for galvalume steel sheets. Engineered for heat insulation, earthquake resistance, durability, and wind resistance.
Asphalt shingles also last around 30 years but are more prone to wind-related peeling. However, they offer lower upfront costs and maintenance expenses.
Structure of Roofing Tile
Roof tiles are available in J, F, and S shapes.
1. J-Shape
“J” stands for “Japanese” in “J-shape”, the most common type of unglazed tile (ceramic tile). The curvature facilitates ventilation, creating an air layer that impedes external temperature penetration. This shape suits Japan’s high humidity and fluctuating temperatures.
2. F-Shape
The F-shape boasts a sleek design with no irregularities, predominantly utilized in modern Western-style houses.
3. S-Shape
Characterized by large waves and beautiful shading, the S shape offers excellent heat insulation and ventilation properties akin to the J shape.