Tiles

[patp]

At the planning stage we rushed out and chose the bricks and roof tiles for our bungalow. The tiles we chose are Imerys Phalampine Burnt Red.

We are now at the stage of ordering roof trusses to be made. We were already staggered at how many roof tiles the Take Off had stipulated we need (over 18,000) and a chance conversation with a roofing expert neighbour explained why. They are very small tiles and that is why you need so many. He also said that they would be very heavy, once laid,  and that he hoped we had warned the makers of the roof trusses!!! He told us a few horror stories of them being laid on one side first and buckling the roof!

 

Any advice gratefully received.

[nod]

Modern roof trusses are very strong 

As long as you have told the truss manufacturers exactly what tile you are using All will be fine 

[Oz07]

look at your loadings on your truss spec, sure they will be okay

[patp]

Thanks guys. All is well. The truss manufacturer was on the case. I think the "expert" in question was trying to sell us his book on roofing. He may well have worked on timber framed houses where the uneven weight on the roof may have buckled the frame. Ours is brick and block. 

 

We wavered a bit away from the lovely Imery Phalampin tiles towards some lighter, cheaper version as offered by the builders merchant, but have stayed with the Imery after the roofer told us how much better they were and reminded us we are only doing this once. Phew!

[OscarWilliams]

On 11/11/2020 at 10:56, patp said:

At the planning stage we rushed out and chose the bricks and roof tiles for our bungalow. The tiles we chose are Imerys Phalampine Burnt Red.

We are now at the stage of ordering roof trusses to be made. We were already staggered at how many roof tiles the Take Off had stipulated we need (over 18,000) and a chance conversation with a roofing expert neighbour explained why. They are very small tiles and that is why you need so many. He also said that they would be very heavy, once laid,  and that he hoped we had warned the makers of the roof trusses!!! He told us a few horror stories of them being laid on one side first and buckling the roof!

 

Any advice gratefully received.

18,000 tiles? Sounds like rather a lot...60 tiles per sq metere laid at a 4 - 4.5 inch gauge (a tighter gauge with a shallower pitch). The manufacturer should specify the weight of the tiles, with that its possible to work how much weight is roughly exerted through each rafter (or truss) and per meter of wall plate depending on your desired measurement. I would have thought its only worth worrying about the weight of the tiles your buying if you had a shallow pitch and no truss.

Edited November 14, 2020 by OscarWilliams

[PeterW]

On 11/11/2020 at 10:56, patp said:

He told us a few horror stories of them being laid on one side first and buckling the roof!

 

Any advice gratefully received.

Yes, ignore your neighbour ..!! What he is describing is poor construction practices not the issue with heavy tiles - that could happen on any roof if you only loaded one side of the trusses.  
 

The whole point you load out a roof in it entirety and do both sides at the same time (even if just loading out not laying ) it to keep the weight on the roof even as it goes up.

[patp]

On 14/11/2020 at 08:57, OscarWilliams said:

18,000 tiles? Sounds like rather a lot...60 tiles per sq metere laid at a 4 - 4.5 inch gauge (a tighter gauge with a shallower pitch). The manufacturer should specify the weight of the tiles, with that its possible to work how much weight is roughly exerted through each rafter (or truss) and per meter of wall plate depending on your desired measurement. I would have thought its only worth worrying about the weight of the tiles your buying if you had a shallow pitch and no truss.

Yes, every time any trade comes to quote they say "cor that's a big bungalow". Eeek! It was not intentional on our part. The plot is a large one and the architect asked what we wanted. I asked for a separate dining room and, when he showed us his plan, that he do away with the integral garage and make it into a "dog room" with wet room included. We keep reminding ourselves that there is not much difference in building a large as to build a small one. Re sale for our daughter will also be better. We will, also, have a separate garage and workshop! The tiles are called, I believe, pin tiles which are small but, we are told, very attractive. We toyed for a while with going for the large, cheaper, option but have succumbed to the "you only do this once" school of thought.