Whether restoring or maintaining your property, it is important to preserve the integrity and the original aesthetics. Dude & Arnette, as Oast roof specialists and experts, believe that Tudor Roof Tiles offer the best handmade peg tiles. Based and manufactured in Kent, Tudor quality tiles each have unique variations that would have also been evident in the original tiled roof.
Authenticity is everything when it comes to choosing the right materials, whether it is natural wood windows, sympathetic bricks or genuine handmade roof tiles.
Why do Dude & Arnette choose Tudor roof tiles?
Handmade roof tiles have a particular timeworn charm that cannot be replicated through modern automated processes. As no two tiles are the same, any roof made from handmade tiles will be truly unique.
With their natural qualities, they are much more suited to period and traditional properties than regular modern machine-made varieties - and they will also add character to new build properties.
Genuine handmade clay roof tiles have a subtle variation of tone, texture and camber (curvature), which can only be achieved through the painstaking craftsmanship involved in the handmade processes.
This is a process that has been handed down over the centuries…
How are handmade clay roof tiles made?
Traditional manufactures like Tudor Roof Tiles have preserved the art of handmaking peg and plain clay tiles by combining age-old craftsmanship with advanced firing techniques.
At Tudor, the traditional processes have hardly changed. They begin with the preparation of the clay. First, it is dug from a quarry, crushed and allowed to stand for a few weeks and weather naturally. Then, any air bubbles are removed from the clay (that could lead to frost damage) before it is sliced into slabs ready to be used. At this point, sand is applied to the clay give it tone and texture and then the clay is formed in a mould using a hand press and trimmed to size. This process is vital to giving the tiles their idiosyncratic character and individuality.
The tiles are dried naturally (and then in driers to speed up the process) to prevent any cracking and shrinkage and then fired in an advanced computer-controlled gas fired kiln to make sure that top performance and durability is achieved.
The end result is a roof tile that is unique, full of character and which will enhance any roof.
Choosing your handmade clay roof tiles - our top tips!
- Complement the built environment. Try to complement the colour, texture and sizing of your existing roof tiles and those of surrounding properties, so that your home blends in well with its surroundings.
- Consult your local planning office. Specific restrictions sometimes apply, particularly in conservation areas (where like for like replacements are often required), so always check with them first before making any decisions.
- Add value. Choose genuine handmade roof tiles with an aesthetic and character that will add long-term value to your property and which you’ll continue to appreciate in years to come.
- Go for Quality. Do not compromise with cheaper replicas. Only choose tiles that conform to BS EN Standards for strength and frost resistance. Note that reclaimed tiles do not necessarily conform to modern performance standards.
- Guaranteed to last. Make sure that your roof tiles are covered by a substantial guarantee - this should be for at least 25 years.
- Consider the impact of your roof tiles on the carbon footprint of your home. The amount of energy used in transportation from UK-based brick manufacturers is less than that used in importing from factories based in other countries.
- Reputable manufacturer. Always check out the trading history of the manufacturer before placing an order. The life-long quality of the tiles is often determined by the experience of the manufacturer and well-established manufacturers with well-proven processes, tend to produce better tiles than recent start-ups.
- Guild of Master Craftsmen. All members of the Guild of Master Craftsmen are thoroughly assessed to ensure that that are highly skilled, reliable and accountable. The Guild badge is a ‘sign of quality’ that you can rely on.