When did *wooden* ‘nails’ (pegs) for clay roof tiles go out of fashion?

How old are peg tiles?

Peg tiles were first used by the Romans. There was then an approximate gap in manufacture of 700 years, when they departed in the 5th Century. By the 14th Century tile production was in full swing. In 1477 during the reign of King Edward IV there was a charter standardising the size of plain tiles to 6.5 x 10.5 inches.

Do you nail clay roof tiles?

Selection of Nails Used on Clay Tile Roofs



Tiles can be nailed either directly into the roof sheathing or tiles with lugs can be nailed to battens. Corrosion-resistant nails must be minimum 11 gauge, with 5/16 -inch heads, and long enough to penetrate the sheathing by 3/4 inch—typically 8d nails.

What is the life of a clay tile roof?

50 to 100 years

Clay and concrete tile roofs are one of the most cost-effective choices due to their long lifespan—50 to 100 years or more. Both concrete and clay tile outlast other roofing materials, with manufacturers offering warranties from 50 years to the life of the structure.

How old are roof tiles?

The first known clay roofing tile can be traced all the way back to China, around 10,000 years B.C. and the Middle East, a little later. From these two regions, the common useage of clay roof tiles spread throughout Asia and Europe.

When were peg tiles used?

History reports that peg tiles were first introduced to the UK by the Roman’s, although popular production didn’t occur until the mid 1300’s. In 1477, King Edward IV signed a charter which standardised the size of nibbed tiles (plain tiles) to 6.5 inches by 10.5 inches.

What is a Kent peg tile?

Kent peg tiles are the original and traditional tiles used on a variety of buildings in Kent and Sussex, with some dating as far back as the 13th century. Made from clay and brick earth, each tile is hung by two wooden pegs, and is smaller in size than standard peg tiles.

Should all roof tiles be nailed?

For all roof areas and rafter pitches, every tile should be mechanically fixed with at least a nail, a clip, or a combination of these options that provide adequate combined resistance to the wind uplift loads on the tiles. For roof pitches of 45° and above, each tile should be fixed with at least one nail.

Are roof tiles nailed to battens?

It is not necessary to nail every single tile to the battens. Every tile of the two rows at the eaves, those up the verges, and along the two rows of the ridge should be nailed, but beyond that it is only necessary to nail every fifth tile horizontally and every third tile as you move up the roof.

How do you remove nails from roof tiles?


Through the nail head through the shingle especially on a really warm day so hold this down get that flat bar up in there. Best you can until you hit it and then a little pry in seats moving up push.

Do you nail peg tiles?

10.3 Alternative supplementary fixing: Peg tiles should be nailed to rafters where peg holes coincide using 3.35mm diameter clout head copper wire nails.

How do you tile a roof with peg tiles?

Square holes are now punched ready for the wooden takes but more of that later the top is and skimmed. Initially the tiles are placed under cover to allow them to air dry.

What is a nib tile?

Nibs are the projection on the underside of a tile close to the head, used to hook the tiles onto a batten or similar horizontal ledge. They can be one small nib on its own, two or three separate nibs, or one continuous nib across the head of the tile.

Why do roofers use copper nails?

Copper nails are known for their durability and long lifespans, as well as their resistance to chemicals and rust-resistant properties. The copper nail is also much stronger than other nails such as aluminium nails. Therefore they can be used to secure roofing materials to harder wood with no issues.

Do interlocking roof tiles need to be nailed?

Every tile along the eaves, up verges and along the ridge should be nailed, but otherwise only nail every fifth tile horizontally, and every third tile up the roof.

Can roof tiles be screwed?

A less costly option, screws or nails are commonly used to fasten concrete roof tiles to the roof decking. The decision of which should be used for your specific project will be made by your roofing contractor as this is also dependent upon the wind exposure.

Are roof tiles nailed in?

Fixing roof tiles. Most roof tiles are fixed in place using nails. Whether it’s aluminium, steel or copper, the nails attach tiles to roof battens, which are laid horizontally across the surface of your roof.

How do you secure a roof tile?

And get a nice amount on there this is a poly ether base sealant. And adhesive. So when it dries. You're not going to be able to remove. It. So in roofing terms is considered a dollop of the cocking.

How are roof tiles held on?

Newer homes typically use nails to hold tiles in place. Secure the new tiles in place by simply hammering the nails into the tiles. Then, use a waterproof sealant or mortar along the sides of the tiles to secure them and complete the seal.

Which tiles are best for roof?

Clay and concrete are by far two of the longest lasting roof tile materials available to buy. With a potential life expectancy of over 100 years, many clay and concrete roof tiles even outlive the property they’ve been installed on. Slate tiles are another top-level choice in terms of longevity.

Why do roof tiles become loose?

One of the main causes of loose roof tiles is harsh weather conditions, especially in the case of strong winds, where debris can cause initial damage. If you then experience heavy rainfall, followed by falling temperatures, water which has worked its way into cracks could expand as ice forms.

How can you tell the difference between clay and concrete roof tiles?

The Difference between Clay and Concrete Tiles

  • Concrete Tiles Are Heavier. Concrete tiles are 40% heavier than clay tiles. …
  • Concrete Tiles Are More Absorbant. …
  • Concrete Tiles Are Stronger. …
  • Clay Tiles Require Little Maintenance. …
  • Clay Tiles Don’t Fade. …
  • Clay Tiles Last Longer.


What is the difference between clay and terracotta roof tiles?

Terracotta roof tiles are lighter – compared to concrete roof tiles, clay roof tiles are lighter by up to 40%. This allows them to be installed on lighter roof structures that cannot support the weight of concrete roof tiles.

Can you paint clay tile roof?

Certain roof tile materials can be painted, but not all. Concrete, slate, and clay tiles can all be painted. Terracotta roof tiles, however, cannot be painted. If you’re looking to refresh the appearance of your roof, then painting it may be the best option.

Can you walk on a clay tile roof?

Broken tiles can easily compromise the roof’s integrity, leading to structural and roofing damage and costly repairs. Therefore, to protect your expensive investment, you should avoid walking on your clay roof, leaving inspections, maintenance, and repairs to the roofing professionals.

How do you clean a clay tile roof?

The best way to perform roof cleaning is through pressure washing. As the name suggests, this requires a pressure washing machine that can wash off all the dirt, debris and other contaminants on your terracotta roof tiles. Get started by setting the pressure washing machine to a low setting for about 1,200 PSI.

How can I walk on my roof without damaging it?

Tips for Walking On Your Tile Roof

  1. Distribute your weight evenly.
  2. Transfer your weight between your feet gradually as you walk.
  3. Walk on the balls of your feet.
  4. Never jump or leap from tile to tile.
  5. Make sure you’re wearing soft-soled shoes with good grip.


How can I walk on my roof without slipping?

3) Wear shoes or boots that provide traction – Boots or shoes with rubber tracked soles will provide better traction than footwear with flat bottoms. If you’ll be walking on a surface that has a moderate or steeper slope, wear rubber soles even if the roof is dry.

What are the best shoes for walking on a roof?

The cougar paw is the absolute. Best option climb on any type of roof particularly high pitched roofs.

How do roofers not fall?

One of the ways we move around on this type of roof without fear of falling is through use of a toe board. The roofer simply nails a long wooden board—usually a standard 2×4—and uses it to create a walkway. The toe board method is commonly used by most roofing contractors for safety and staging purposes.

How do roofers stay on steep roofs?

Same kind of concept. You. Just run it it's on a telescoping pole. You run it up the ridge flip it over it's got a hook on the top and it hooks on top of the ridge.

What pitch is too steep to walk?

The roof’s pitch is the angle of the roof, usually presented as the inches of vertical “rise” over 12 inches of horizontal “run.” Generally anything above a 7/12 is considered a non-walkable roof and requires some extra equipment and usually some extra cost to the customer.

Can roofers work without scaffolding?

Roofing repairs do not always need to be done by a professional but they nonetheless pose difficulties when it comes to both access and safety. Much of the official health and safety advice states that, for any domestic roof repairs, scaffolding is needed.