Give your house a cool, traditional roof
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Terracotta tiles give good insulation, writes M. Soundariya Preetha
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Photo: M. Balaji
Long lasting: Terracotta tiles have appeal and durability.
• Consider factors such as climate, region, type of structure, desired aesthetics, new construction or re-roof.
• Protect your investment: a tile roof is only as good as its installation.
• Look for a contractor with tile roof installation experience.
• Evaluate lifecycle costs when selecting a roofing product.
(Source: www.tileroofing.org)
This house at T.S. Puram in Tirupur is more than 80 years old. With over 3,000 sq.ft. of built up area, the widespread structure stands out among the tall concrete rooftops in the neighbourhood as one with a terracotta tile roofing. Major renovation work for the roof was done just once or twice in all these years, say its owners.
Yet, sighting such houses is turning out to be rare now. Terracotta tiles are used more as cladding on concrete roofs. The use is more for ornamental and elevation purposes, points out G. Srinivasan, Chairman of the Builders’ Association of India, Coimbatore Centre.
Visit some of the old streets in any city and it will be common to see rows of houses with red-tiled roofs. Even huge individual houses used terracotta tiles for roofing, supported with teak or seasoned country wood.
Although the roof is often the last thing people decide on when building or renovating, it should be one of the first. The roof can occupy even 40 per cent of the house’s exterior. A good roof not only contributes to the overall look of the house, but also protects the occupants from extreme weather conditions.
With various options now available for roofing, tiled houses have become a high-end concept since it involves a lot of wood or steel for support. In the case of wood too, the rafters need seasoned ones, says Mr. Srinivasan.
Terracotta tiles are the traditional roofing option, and when used as two layers have good insulation properties. They can be used for any type of house but demand maintenance.
M. Bhuvanasundar, chairman of the Coimbatore Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, says that terracotta tiles for actual roofing are used even now with steel pipes in petrol bunks and some commercial establishments.
They are also used in the case of resorts, cottages and farm houses. Terracotta tiles are imported from Sri Lanka and are available in the domestic market, he says.
In the case of houses, he expresses the view that the terracotta tile roof needs regular innovation and is “semi-permanent.” It can be a reason why not many people prefer to go in for terracotta tiles for actual roofing. Also the flexibility of use when it comes to multi-storeyed buildings can be another reason, he says.
However, the uses of terracotta tiles are many: apart from actual roofing and ornamental purposes, the waste tiles can be used in filler slabs too.
Well, what needs to be done by those who go in for just terracotta tiles for roofing? Usually the roof has two layers of tiles. They need regular maintenance.
At least once a year the roof needs to be checked for leakages, dust collection in the rafters and the wood must be guarded against weathering and termite attacks. During construction the roof needs to be given a good slope and should be at a good height, in the case of use of tiles.
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