What exactly is the lifespan of a tiled roof? This depends on several factors. First and foremost, proper annual roof maintenance naturally extends its lifespan. If leaves, moss, and algae are removed from the tiles annually, their lifespan will be longer than if this isn't done. Ceramic roof tiles last longer than concrete roof tiles. On average, we're talking about 50 and 30 years, respectively. With optimal maintenance, the lifespan of roof tiles can reach 100 years or more.
If you're considering buying a house with a tiled roof, it's crucial to have its condition assessed. This is done through a building inspection. Ideally, the roof tiles will be in good technical condition. This means you won't have to worry about replacing them in the near future. If the tiled roof is in poor technical condition, you should generally consider that some of the tiles are nearing the end of their lifespan. These tiles will need to be replaced relatively soon. If the tiled roof is in poor technical condition, it's important to have a larger budget available for replacing (a large portion of) the tiles.
If the building inspection reveals that the tiled roof is not in good technical condition, this doesn't necessarily mean that all the tiles need to be replaced. You might be advised to replace some of the damaged tiles, either immediately or in phases over a period of several years. The advice might also be that replacing all the tiles at once is the best option. While the costs will naturally be higher in this case, you will have the assurance that the new tiles will have a long lifespan, especially with annual maintenance. Are all the tiles falling off? Then that's obviously the perfect time to have the rest of the roof inspected as well, such as the wooden structure beneath the tiles.
Roof tiles can look good and still be in moderate to poor condition. A tiled roof that looks good says little about its quality. It's important for you to know the condition of the roof of your potential new home.
The cost of a building inspection (up to 250 m²) is only €489 including VAT. We'll conduct a comprehensive building inspection and you'll receive a building report. Do you have any questions? We're happy to help and can schedule an appointment with an expert inspector right away if you wish!
