Clay and Concrete Roof Tiles: Types and How to Choose

Barrel tile, mixed tile or concrete tile: what's the difference?

The tile you choose sets the look of the roof, the number of pieces you will have to lay and the weight that will rest on the structure. Vetonek's building ceramics range offers three options: the Spanish (barrel) clay tile, the mixed clay tile and the large-format concrete roof tile. This guide gathers the data from their technical sheets so you can compare them before you decide.

Clay barrel tile: the traditional curved tile

The Segura clay barrel tile is the traditional curved piece for roofs in a classic, Mediterranean or rustic style. It is laid in the pan-and-cover (canal and cobija) system: the pan tiles (concave side up) go from the bottom upwards and the cover tiles close the joints between the pans.

• Size and weight: the red one measures 50 x 22 x 16 cm and weighs 2.5 kg; the light one measures 51 x 22 x 16 cm and weighs 2.4 kg.
• Approximate coverage: 25-30 tiles per m² in pan-and-cover laying, depending on overlap and pitch.
• Sales formats: pack of 125 pcs and pallet of 250 pcs.

It is a good option when the look of an old roof has to be respected. If you are replacing tiles on an old roof, the light tile or a mix of both colours makes the patch less noticeable than new red tiles alone.

Mixed clay tile: the look of a curved tile with the interlocking of a flat tile

The Hernani mixed clay tile is made of fired clay, red in colour, and measures 45.4 x 28.8 cm with a weight of around 3.9 kg. Its wavy profile recalls the curved tile, but the pieces interlock like a flat tile, with no pan-and-cover laying. Thanks to its large format, there are fewer pieces to handle than with a curved tile.

The number of tiles per m² depends on the overlap and the pitch of the roof, so there is no single figure: it has to be calculated for each roof. It is sold in packs of 105 pcs and pallets of 216 pcs.

Concrete roof tile: large format and few pieces per m²

The concrete roof tile has a format of about 42 x 33 cm and is laid at 10.5 pcs per m² of roof, so there are fewer pieces to handle and laying is faster. It weighs 4.2 kg per piece, about 44 kg per m² of tiles. The data sheet highlights its high waterproofing, very low water absorption, frost resistance and high flexural strength.

• Models: Mundaka and Ondarroa in slate grey or red; Plentzia in slate grey or Iberian.
• Sizes: from 42 x 33.1 cm to 44 x 33 cm depending on the model and colour.
• Sales formats: pack of 50 pcs (4.76 m²) and pallet of 108 pcs (10.29 m²).

It suits pitched roofs in new builds as well as roof refurbishment and replacement: detached houses, sheds and rural buildings.

Quick comparison

• Segura barrel tile: curved, 2.4-2.5 kg per piece, 25-30 pcs/m² in pan-and-cover laying.
• Hernani mixed tile: 45.4 x 28.8 cm, about 3.9 kg per piece, pcs/m² depending on overlap and pitch.
• Concrete tile: about 42 x 33 cm, 4.2 kg per piece, 10.5 pcs/m².

How to choose for your roof

• Look and surroundings: for the traditional image of a curved tile, the barrel or the mixed tile; for a flat-tile roof in slate grey, red or Iberian, the concrete tile.
• Refurbishment: to replace or extend an old roof while keeping its look, the barrel tile in red or light is the most natural option. The concrete tile is also used in refurbishment and full roof replacement.
• Pitch and fixing: each type of tile is laid with an overlap, a batten spacing and a fixing that depend on the pitch and on wind exposure. Check beforehand that the pitch and the substrate are suitable for the tile you have chosen.
• Weight: the pieces weigh between 2.4 and 4.2 kg, but what matters for the structure is the total weight of the roof. That decision should be checked with the project engineer or architect.

How many tiles do you need?

Multiply the roof area in m² by the tiles per m² of the model and add a margin for cuts and breakage. With the concrete tile, a 100 m² roof needs 100 x 10.5 = 1,050 tiles, about 10 pallets of 108 pcs (10.29 m² each), plus a 5% margin. With the Segura barrel tile, a 40 m² roof needs between 1,000 and 1,200 tiles, that is, 4 to 5 pallets of 250 pcs. With the Hernani mixed tile, work from the real area and pitch, because consumption changes with the overlap.

Also order the ridge tiles and trim pieces the roof needs, in the same order as the tiles, to make sure the colour is the same across the whole roof.

Don't forget the substrate under the tile

Under the tile there is a substrate: battens over the roof slope, or a ceramic board over small partition walls or joists. If that is your case, the Getaria tongue-and-groove ceramic board is designed as a substrate for tiled roofs, and the Lekeitio exposed-face ceramic board is for exposed ceilings between beams. You will find the details in our guide to ceramic roof boards for roofs and ceilings. And if you are also building the floor slab, see the guide to clay floor blocks, lintels and shutter boxes.

Frequently asked questions

How many roof tiles per m² do I need?

It depends on the type of tile. The concrete tile is laid at 10.5 pcs per m², the Segura barrel tile needs about 25-30 tiles per m² in pan-and-cover laying, and with the Hernani mixed tile consumption changes with the overlap and pitch. Always add a margin for cuts and breakage.

What is the difference between a barrel tile and a mixed tile?

The barrel tile is curved and laid in the pan-and-cover system, with separate pan and cover tiles. The mixed tile has a wavy profile that recalls the curved tile, but its pieces interlock like a flat tile, with no pan-and-cover laying.

Is a concrete roof tile frost resistant?

Yes, according to its data sheet the concrete tile is frost resistant and has very low water absorption, so it is suitable for cold climates and mountain areas.

Which tile is best for refurbishing an old roof?

To keep the original look, the clay barrel tile is the most natural option, especially in the light colour or mixed with red so the replacement is less noticeable. The mixed tile and the concrete tile are also suitable for refurbishment, but they change the look of the roof.

How do I calculate how many pallets of roof tiles I need?

Multiply the roof area in m² by the tiles per m² and divide by the number of pieces on the pallet. For example, 100 m² of concrete tile is 1,050 tiles, about 10 pallets of 108 pcs, and it is advisable to add a 5% margin.

Find all our tiles in the clay and concrete roof tiles collection and the rest of the materials in building ceramics.