2000 by the National Roofing Contractors Association. No

Information on Section 3: Clay and Concrete Tile
General Information
Section 3: Clay and Concrete Tile in the 2000 edition
on NRCA’s Steep-Slope Roofing Materials Guide
provides a comprehensive listing of clay and concrete
tile products commonly used in steep-slope roofing.
Clay tile is produced by baking molded clay into tile.
The density of the clay is determined by the length of
time and temperature at which it is heated. Tiles may
be glazed and may also have surface texture
treatment. As a result, there are a wide variety of tile
profiles, styles, finished, and colors available. In
addition, each tile may have separate field, ridge, hip,
gable, and terminal tiles of various shapes. Installation
methods depend upon the nature of the tile being
installed, e.g. whether it is two-piece, one-piece,
interlocking, flat, and so forth.
The terms used to refer to tile types are not necessarily
consistent among manufacturers. Sometimes, a
proprietary name is used instead of a generic term that
might be more descriptive of the tile product.
Concrete tiles are made of portland cement, sand, and
water in varying proportions. The material is mixed and
extruded on molds under high pressure. The exposed
surface of the tile may be finished with cementitious
material colored with synthetic oxide additives. The
tiles are then cured to reach the required strength.
They generally have lugs on the underside for
anchoring to batten strips. There are additional
waterlocks, or interlocking ribs on the longitudinal edge,
that are for impeding movement and preventing water
infiltration.
Like clay tile, there are a wide variety of profiles, styles,
finishes, and colors available. Color may be added to
the surface of the tile or dispersed throughout, termed
“color-through”. Special texture may be added in
surface treatment. In addition, each tile type may have
separate field, ridge, hip, gable, and terminal tiles that
are of various shapes.
Concrete tile types can be associated with the roof
component that the tile is simulating – whether it be
clay tile or shingles, shakes, and slate.
Specific Information Included in the Guide
Information on tile roof products is presented in the
guide in two parts: Clay Tile and Concrete Tile.
For clay tile, specific listing information is as follows:
1. Company name
2. Product name
3. Tile type
4. Tile description
5. Accessory tile available
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6. Dimensions and coverage
7. Slope/underlayment recommendations
8. Decks and fastening requirements
9. Year product first sold
10. Number of squares installed
11. Distribution
12. Technical information (Compliance with ASTM
C1167)
13. Accepted by the following codes
14. Sales and technical contact information
Reporting of technical information in Item 11 is based
on American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
standard C1167, titled “Standard Specification for Clay
Roof Tiles.”
For concrete tile, specific listing information is as
follows:
1. Company name
2. Product name
3. Tile type
4. Tile description
5. Accessory tile available
6. Dimensions and coverage
7. Slope/underlayment recommendations
8. Decks and fastening requirements
9. Year product first sold
10. Number of squares installed
11. Distribution
12. Accepted by the following codes
13. Sales and technical contact information
Additional information regarding clay and concrete tile
roof systems is provided in The NRCA Steep-Slope
Roofing Manual and The NRCA Roofing and
Waterproofing Manual.