Planning a new build or renovations can be exciting. However, choosing the right tiles or slate for the roof remains essential.
Choosing between roof tiles and roofing slate can be a difficult decision. Both a highly attractive. In addition, both offer excellent properties for your building’s roof.
Before making your final decision, it is a sensible plan to investigate the costs of both.
Prices of roof tiles
The price of roof tiles is dependent on the type of roof tile. There are concrete roof tiles as well as clay roof tiles.
Both of these types of roof tiles are attractive and will add aesthetic value to your building. Furthermore, both are of an excellent quality, promising years of use.
A clay roof tile as well as a concrete roof tile is a manufactured tile. This means that it is manufactured in a factory or by firing clay in a kiln.
Clay roof tiles
The average cost of a clay roof tile is £27.60 to £57.99, per square meter. These figures include the very basic, budget clay tile, right through to the more costly, ornate clay roof tile.
As such, the cost of a clay roof tile can be from £1.4 per tile to £2.44 per tile.
Clay roof tiles are manufactured by companies including Marley Eternit, Sandtoft, BMI Redland, Wienerberger, among others.
Concrete roof tiles 
A concrete roof tile is as attractive as a clay roof tile. However, a concrete roof tile is slightly larger than its clay counterpart and is easily recognisable because of the curve in the middle.
On the whole, a concrete roof tile is an affordable option, being somewhat less expensive than a clay roof tile. Their price-quality ratio is excellent.
Concrete roof tiles are manufactured by companies like Crest, Russell, Mannock, Wienerberger Sandtoft, Marley and BMI Redland.
The average price of a concrete roof tile per square meter is £7.40 to £23.77. Depending on the manufacturer, this works out to be roughly £0.86 for a 267 x 168 mm plain tile to £3 for a larger 430 x 380 mm concrete tile.
Slate roof tiles
A slate roof tile is considered a natural tile. It is also water and temperature-change resistant, making it a great option for any building’s roof. Furthermore, a good quality slate tile requires very little maintenance and will last up to 100 years.
Slate roof tiles are manufactured by companies like Cupa, UK Slate, Welsh Slate, Redland Cambrian, and others. Each company prides itself on its excellent quality slate tiles.
The pricing of a slate roof tile does vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In addition, slate roof tiles from Wales and Spain are also more costly. However, on average, a slate roof tile costs from £27.60 per m² right through to £57.95 per m².
As such, the average price for a single slate roof tile will usually cost around £0.70 to £4 per slate roof tile, depending on the type of slate you want for your roof.
The difference between roof tiles and slate
The basic difference between the two is that roof tiles are manufactured and slates are a natural product.
Roof tiles are produced in a factory using materials such as concrete and fired clay. Slate, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring material. It is usually mined in larger pieces, and these can be splintered into thin layers that are tile-like in size and thickness.
While slate is usually grey in colour, it does have a host of other colours that occur naturally. Slate has to be fitted to a roof using pegs and nails. As such, they need hole punched in them prior to installation.
Roof tiles are overlapping and this makes installation easier and quicker than slates. Furthermore, slate can only be used down to 25 degree pitches. Tiles can be used on roofs with a pitch as low as 15 degrees.
Slate has a longer lifespan than roof tiles. A slate roof can last up to 100 years, whether it is maintained or not. Roof tiles, when properly looked after and cared for, can last 20 to 50 years.
So, which is cheaper – roof tiles or slates?
Roof tiles, both concrete and clay roof tiles, are cheaper than slates. Regardless of whether they are purchased in bulk or as a single tile, roof tiles are the more affordable option.
Both options are attractive for your building’s roof. In addition, both options have excellent advantages.
On the whole, regardless of whether the purchase is in bulk or per tile, roof tiles remain the cheaper option.
Where can I find excellent quality roof tiles and slate?
If you are planning a renovation project or want to do a few repairs to your building’s roof, you can find exactly what you need at our depots. We offer a top range and affordably priced selection of clay roof tiles, concrete roof tile and slate.
We offer top brand names such as Cupa, UK Slate, Welsh Slate, Redland Cambrian for exquisite slate for your roof. Other well-known names that we are proud to offer are Crest, Russell, Mannock, Wienerberger Sandtoft, Marley and BMI Redland for quality concrete roof tiles. Lastly, for clay roof tiles, take a look at highly regarded names such as Marley Eternit, Sandtoft, BMI Redland, Wienerberger.
You can find exactly what you need at any of our branches, and all at excellent prices. For more details, you are welcome to give us a call. Our experts are on hand to assist with any of your queries.
