What Are the Pros and Cons of Barrel Roofing Tiles?

Do you want a roofing system that will enhance your home with a warm, inviting appearance while creating a tough exterior that will last a lifetime?

If so, you’ll love the unique features and valuable benefits of barrel roofing tiles. Learn more about this traditional roofing material below—and determine if it’s the right combination of durability and style for your upcoming roof replacement.

What Are Barrel Roof Tiles?

Barrel roof tiles are rounded, semi-cylindrical tiles that complement old-world architecture, such as Spanish and Mediterranean styles. When they’re installed on your roof, one tile faces up while the next tile faces down, creating an interlocking pattern that is attractive and durable.

You can choose either high or medium barrel tiles. High barrel tiles have a sweeping curve, like a cylinder cut in half, and medium barrel tiles have a gentler curve to complement more contemporary styles of architecture.

Barrel roof tiles are traditionally made from terracotta, clay, or concrete, but modern composite roofing tiles are a popular lightweight alternative to this traditional roofing material.

Advantages of Barrel Roof Tiles

Barrel roof tiles are popular for a reason. Here’s what homeowners love about this stylish, long-lasting roofing material:

Durable

Barrel tiles are one of the strongest roofing materials on the market. When installed correctly, they can last up to 100 years—talk about making an investment that will last a lifetime!

Whether you install clay, concrete, or composite barrel tiles, you’ll experience complete resistance to wind, hail, and fire damage. You can also be confident your roofing system won’t crack, chip, break, or blow away, regardless of what types of storms come your way.

Versatile

You can choose from dozens of warm, beautiful colors and finishes to create a unique look for your home when installing barrel roofing tiles.

Whether you’d prefer a traditional terracotta appearance, a modern metallic look, or a combination of colors, you’re not limited to just one shade or style when installing a barrel tile roofing system.

Eco-Friendly

Regardless of which materials you choose, barrel tiles are sustainable and eco-friendly.

Clay is a natural substance, and composite products are made from recycled materials, so your roofing tiles won’t contain chemicals or additives that can harm the environment. Plus, these materials can be recycled at the end of their (very long!) lifespan, and they provide excellent insulation, which makes them tremendously energy-efficient.

Low-Maintenance

Since barrel roof tiles are so durable and long-lasting, they’re also effortless to care for. You won’t have to worry about your roof developing leaks or cracks, and in the rare event a leak occurs, you can usually fix the affected area quickly with a roof tile adhesive.

Disadvantages of Barrel Roof Tiles

Barrel roof tiles don’t have many drawbacks, but you should consider these two factors before investing in this roofing material.

Expensive

Barrel tiles are a lifelong investment, so naturally, they will be more expensive than a product that lasts just over ten years. Typically, barrel tiles are two to three times more expensive than asphalt roofing shingles—but they can last up to five to six times longer!

Heavy

One of the reasons why barrel tiles are more expensive than other roofing materials is that they’re extremely heavy, making them cumbersome to install. These tiles require specialized installation, which results in higher labor costs.

You may also need to consult with a structural engineer to see if your home requires additional reinforcements to support the weight of these bulky tiles. Many homes, especially those with low slopes, may not be able to withstand the weight of barrel roof tiles.

Get the Best of Both Worlds with Composite Spanish Barrel Tiles from BRAVA

What if you could have all the desirable benefits of barrel roof tiles without the disadvantages? With BRAVA^® Composite Spanish Barrel Tiles, you can!

Made from synthetic materials, these composite barrel tiles offer the same durability and attractive appearance as traditional clay tiles—without the extra weight. BRAVA’s roofing tiles are lightweight, eliminating the need for additional structural support and costly installation, so you can have a roof that lasts a lifetime at a more affordable cost.

Plus, these roofing tiles come in over a dozen unique colors that mimic terracotta, clay, onyx, and other natural materials, so you can find the perfect look for your home.

Transform Your Roofing System with Composite Spanish Barrel Tiles from American Way Exteriors

If you’re interested in adding long-lasting protection and curb appeal to your home in Dayton, Ohio, with barrel tiles, our team can help!

We proudly install versatile, lightweight BRAVA Composite Spanish Barrel Tiles because we firmly believe in the tremendous value they can add to your home. We don’t skimp on materials or expert installation, so you can be confident your new roof will last a lifetime—and then some.

Learn more about how you can add durability and style to your home with BRAVA’s Composite Spanish Barrel Tiles, installed by American Way Exteriors!