Small Formats

Of course, there is the warmth of the material, its countless models, its shapes and aspects that blend in with all regions and styles, but beyond these considerations, clay tiles are among the most durable materials. Can we not still find tiles from Greek or Roman antiquity in Europe? There is no doubt that terracotta is synonymous with quality, durability and the art of living, a real "asset" for your home. Today, techniques have evolved further to guarantee a stable and impeccable product for several generations. There are other technical and installation arguments in favour of using this natural material: weight per m², regulatory framework, breakage, "Faraday cage" effect, etc. Rot-proof, non-combustible and 100% natural, clay roof tiles are made from clay and sand, natural materials. It is a healthy, durable product that is resistant to frost, wind, bad weather, etc.

Archaeological sites still yield tiles dating back several millennia... Unless there is a manufacturing defect, which is unlikely today thanks to technological advances and controls at the factory gate, the tiles are guaranteed to withstand the elements for several generations, but still not to withstand hammer blows! The quality of the clays used, a noble material, and the respect of the manufacturing standards, are the key to the quality of a good tile. The lifespan of a clay tile can be around 100 years or more, especially if the roof is well maintained and well ventilated.

Greening is a natural phenomenon of algae and moss growth that has existed for as long as life has existed on our planet. Any material, including inorganic materials, exposed to the outside world, is eventually colonised by algae-like micro-organisms. Until a few decades ago, this phenomenon was hardly noticed because it took several years to manifest itself. Human action over the last few decades has significantly modified several environmental conditions in a way that is unfortunately favourable to greening:
- increased sources of atmospheric carbon feed via pollution (combustion gases and industrial gaseous/particulate emissions: soot and volatile organic compounds)
- increased sources of atmospheric nitrogenous nutrients through the intensive use of nitrogenous fertilisers, especially in rural areas.
There are also accelerating conditions: the exposure of your house to the wind, a lack of ventilation in front of the tiles, the orientation of your roof to the north or in the shade for example. To avoid this phenomenon of greening, it is important to ensure good ventilation of the underside of the tiles in order to accelerate their drying out. The rules of the profession also recommend regular maintenance of the roof in order to slow down this proliferation. It should be noted that greening, if regularly maintained, does not affect the intrinsic quality of TERREAL clay tiles.

Tile fixing may be necessary either to prevent the tiles from slipping or to prevent them from being lifted by wind action on the roof. These devices are described in the DTU 40.2 series. The number of tiles fixed per square plain depends on the wind and weather exposure. Terreal then recommends that the tiles and accessories are fixed all around the roof.

Even if the means of communication have evolved considerably, it is still preferable to place orders in advance with our materials dealers, so as to be able to control the timely supply of tiles and all accessories.

Renovating your roof, an investment to preserve the environment. 30% of heat loss occurs through the roof. A regularly maintained and renovated roof therefore represents a considerable saving for the household and helps to protect the planet. Tiles that are well installed and regularly monitored also ensure that the insulation is waterproof and well protected, as it can lose much of its capacity, like some traditional wools, if rainwater infiltrates. Guaranteed for 30 years against frost, with regular tests according to the 5 existing methods in Europe, and against deterioration of appearance, Terreal tiles are designed to withstand all types of weather. Terreal's fixing and accessory systems can withstand the increasingly frequent extreme conditions and withstand winds of over 190 km/h.

To choose the right tile, you have to take into consideration the specificities of the region, the slope of the roof, the style of the house or building, the desired look and finally the budget. Terreal's offer allows you to find the tile format and colour that most closely matches the tile on your roof. Durable, Terreal tiles, with their diversity and richness of colours, allow you to carry out a renovation that is fully integrated into the environment of your house, while respecting your landscape. Don't hesitate to ask a professional to guide you in the choice of the Terreal tile best suited to your project and, above all, to consult him/her on the choice of accessories that will guarantee perfect aesthetics and lasting waterproofing.

The answer depends on 5 criteria:
1 - the type of tile (flat tiles, interlocking tiles, flat-looking interlocking tiles or canal tiles)
2 - the zone, France being divided into 3 zones according to wind and weather exposure
3 - the site, which describes the precise local situation (protected, normal or exposed site)
4 - the length and dimensions of the roof (for some products)
5 - the presence or absence of a roof underlay. To find out more about the geographical areas, you can consult the regulations in the installation guides in our product sheets.
You can also ask your question to our Tile technical assistance office (see Contact us).