| Spanish architecture was heavily influenced by | | | | Mediterranean roof tiles all over the world. Today, |
| that of Rome, which in turn had adopted much of | | | | fine examples of Spanish clay roof tiles can be |
| its style from Greece. In addition, Greeks founded | | | | found in New Orleans, St. Augustine, Southern |
| colonies in many parts of the Iberian peninsula; the | | | | California and anywhere else that the Spaniards |
| modern city of Valencia was one such colony. For | | | | settled between 1500 and 1800. |
| this reason, Spanish clay roof tiles roof tiles are | | | | The Manufacturing of Spanish Clay Roof Tiles |
| very popular in many parts of the word. You are | | | | In many ways, Spanish roof tiles are like a piece |
| most likely to find Spanish roof tiles in places like | | | | of fine ceramic pottery; the materials are very |
| Southern California and Florida in addition to | | | | similar. However, it is extremely difficult to make |
| Mexico, Cuba and Puerto Rico. | | | | these roof tiles individually, by hand. The reason is |
| Origins of Spanish Clay Roof Tiles | | | | that they must fit together and interlock in place |
| Terra cotta roofing tiles appear to have originated | | | | when they are installed. To insure uniformity, |
| in many different parts of the world between | | | | molds are created and the clay is poured into |
| three and four thousand years ago. These were | | | | these. They are removed once they have dried, |
| regions in the world's drier, warmer climates, such | | | | and then are kiln-fired at extremely hot |
| as Egypt, the Indus Valley in Pakistan, and of | | | | temperatures in order to make them hard and |
| course, the Mediterranean. The Greeks have had | | | | durable. Clay-tile roofs can last for over one |
| a tremendous influence on Mediterranean roof | | | | hundred years with only minimal maintenance. |
| tiles, as this culture spread as far as Britain in the | | | | Different Types |
| west and India in the east. During the Roman | | | | Originally, only homes located in Mediterranean |
| period, terra cotta roofing tiles could be found in | | | | climates could have Spanish clay roof tiles installed. |
| almost every province. Iberia was one of the | | | | Although quite durable, this material is not normally |
| gems in the Roman imperial diadem; as a result, | | | | suitable for cold, rainy and snowy climates. |
| Spanish roof tiles retain a great deal of similarity | | | | However, today Spanish clay roof tiles can be |
| to the terra cotta roofing tiles used by wealthy | | | | treated to stand up to harsh winter weather. |
| patricians of the Roman Empire. | | | | These roofing materials are made in three grades; |
| Centuries later, when Spain was an imperial power | | | | Grade One can last for many years of Montana |
| in her own right, settlers and merchants who | | | | winters, whereas Grade 3 is suitable only for the |
| followed the conquistadores carried these | | | | Southwest. |