A few researchers suggest that the very first known clay roofing tile was used in China in 10,000 BC. Fired clay roofing was utilized by the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans and Ancient Greeks. The accurate dating of early roofing tiles is difficult and quite often impossible. Matching types of tile were at the same time occasionally employed for alternative usages for instance paving, and in bake ovens so fragments of tile discovered at historical sites may not be roofing tiles.
Since early times until pretty lately properties were roofed with everything material was most readily accessible. Natural hand-split slate was one of the earliest roofing products to be utilized in districts where slate could be quarried. The predominant type of material encountered on houses in Wales, the South West, the North West and Scotland is still natural slate.
Heavy stone slate might also still be observed frequently upon roofing around central locations for example the Cotswolds and the Pennines.
Before clay tiles came into wide-spread use, thatch appeared to be the sole solution in other locations, as it had been too expensive to deliver heavy stones or slates by using horse-drawn transportation over distances of much more than ten or 12 miles.
From their initial use, Clay tiles have proved themselves often over many years. Hand made clay roofing tiles give a look and effect for your house that can not be replicated with any other roofing material.
The life expectancy of a clay-based tile will be influenced by the sort and grade of the clay used to make it, the way it has been made, the humidity of the environment plus the place that the property is found. If you are considering clay-based rooftop tiles for your own roofing check with a roofing specialist to help you pick handmade clay roof tiles which will not just look nice upon your roof top yet are also suited to your homes location.