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Explore the Green Living Image Gallery to see how clay roof tiles offer more than just style – their curved design promotes excellent airflow. View more green living images.
iStockphoto/ThinkstockThe construction industry is increasingly adopting green solutions, and roofing is no exception. From metal to thermoplastic, there are various choices, but if you're after a roof that stands out, clay roofing tiles may be the perfect option for you.
Clay tiles earn points for sustainable building in multiple ways: they're reflective, allow for ventilation, and are made from natural earth materials. What could be more eco-friendly?
Additionally, since clay tiles can last up to a century, you likely won't need to replace your roof for many years.
One clay tile manufacturer, Ludowici, offers an impressive 75-year warranty, which is typical for this material. The company claims that 95% of the materials used to make the tiles are recycled, and they're made from natural elements like earth and water.
The tiles' curved design promotes excellent ventilation, preventing hot air from becoming trapped between the material and the roof in the summer. Additionally, their weight helps provide insulation throughout the year.
Clay roofing tiles perform well on the Cool Roof Rating Council's (CRRC) complex rating system, which evaluates how cool a roofing material is. The rating measures the material's ability to reflect sunlight and radiate the heat it absorbs, resulting in solar reflectance and thermal emittance values.
A material can still be considered a cool option even with a low thermal emittance if it reflects a significant amount of sunlight away from the building. However, clay tiles are known for earning high thermal emittance ratings. This means that even without reflecting light, they release heat efficiently, making them an eco-friendly roofing choice.
