SUGGESTED INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SPANISH PROFILE
CLAY ROOFING TILE LAID OVER A PLYWOOD DECK
INTRODUCTION
The following guide contains the suggested minimum requirements for the installation of the Spanish
profile clay roof tile. Laminados de Barro, is not familiar with all local building codes or regional
weather conditions and does not control the installation of the tiles.
Laminados de Barro, recommends the Tile Roofing Institute’s Design Criteria Manual for Moderate
Climate Regions or Manual for Cold and Snow Regions installation procedure.
Contact TRI @ www.tileroofinginstitute.org
Laminados de Barro, does not warranty the installation of any of its tiles and offers these suggestions
in good faith.
Laminados de Barro, will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
MATERIAL
Roofing tile shall be Spanish profile clay tile supplied by Laminados de Barro,
Spanish Field Tile: 15 7/8” long x 9 5/8” wide laid with an average 2 ½” headlap 14” x 8” ½ exposure.
Average number of pieces per square 128 at a weight of 5.95 lbs per tile and 762 lbs per 100 sq in.
Packaging per pallet: 414 pieces, 3.24 sqs. and a weight of 2,464 lbs.
Hip & Ridge: Half Round Tapered Overlapping, laid with 131/2” exposure.
Gables:
Half Round Tapered Overlapping tile laid to match Field tile exposure (nail holes on
both sides).
Half Barrel tile available for use on Left Hand Gables.
Eave Closure: Clay birdstop.
STORAGE
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Clay roof tiles supplied by Laminados de Barro, should be stored on level, firm ground.
INSTALLATION GUIDE
MINIMUM PITCH
When installing Spanish tiles in a northern location the recommended minimum roof pitch is 4:12.
In areas with a very high annual snow fall we would recommend the minimum roof pitch is 6:12
If Spanish tiles are installed below 4:12 pitch they should be considered as a decorative finish only
and will not be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
DECKING
Minimum ⅝” 5-ply exterior grade sheathing is recommended. The deck should be secured to the
rafters, so that the full load of the completed roof is transferred evenly to the building structure, all in
accordance with the local building code. The deck should be clean, smooth and dry before the
installation commences.
UNDERLAYMENT
Install a 6” wide strip of self-sealing underlayment along the eaves wherever a drip edge is to be
installed.
Install the metal drip over the 6” wide strip.
Install a full width of self-sealing underlayment along the eaves to finish at least 18” above the outside
wall. This will provide the maximum protection to the unheated and exposed overhang.
Install a full width of self-sealing underlayment laid vertically up all valleys and hips, as well as, along
the ridge and a minimum 12” upstand at all abutments.
Install a self-adhesive SBS modified bitumen underlayment over the whole deck. Underlayment
should be laid parallel to the eave, with a minimum 4” vertical lap, a 6” horizontal lap or in accordance
with the manufacturer’s recommendations
All underlayment should also be secured with large flat-headed, non-corrosive, roofing nails in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
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NAILERS
Install a 2” nailer, of a suitable height so as to support the underside of the ridge or hip tiles but
allowing the outer edges of the hip / ridge tile to rest on the tops of the barrel of the field tiles. Install
nailers vertically along the ridgeline and up all hips.
INSTALLATION OF TILES
Please remember these tiles are manufactured with natural clay. Some individual tiles may vary
slightly in shape, so when laying don’t fight the tile just “Go with the flow”.
Spanish tiles are laid from right to left and have cut-offs in the top right and bottom left corners. These
cut-offs are covered by the adjacent tile overlapping the first.
To assist in keeping your tile lines straight, we recommend you mark out the vertical and horizontal
gauge lines. You need not strike all the verticals every 2 or 3 may be sufficient. Before setting out the
horizontal gauge remember to take into account the 2” overhang at the eave. Your first course should
be at approximately 14”.
Install a clay bird stop at the eave and secure to the deck.
Working from right to left, set the first course of tiles with the required overhang and secure the tile to
the deck with non-corrosive spiral nails or screws.
Every tile in the eave course must be individually clipped. Install the eave tile clip by hooking its top
edge over the up-stand. Position the clip just behind the bird stop. Hold the clip down tight and secure
to the deck with 2 spiral nails or screws.
Don’t over tighten the nails or screws and keep checking your vertical and horizontal lap lines, making
sure they remain straight.
TILE FASTENING
Secure each tile in the eave course with an eave tile clip, positioned behind the bird stop and secure
to the deck with two non-corrosive spiral nails or screws.
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As a general guide all tiles in the three perimeter courses, as well as all tile in every third course in
the field, should be clipped.
In exposed locations, on roofs of three stories each tile in the field should be clipped.
In coastal areas the use of stainless steel nails / screws and clips are recommended.
RIDGE
Finish the top course of field tiles close to the ridge nailer. If the coursing does not result in a full tile in
the top course, cut the tiles, re-drill a hole and secure tile as previously described.
Install the half round tapered ridge tiles, secure to wood nailer with a spiral nail or screw. Ridge
should be laid with a minimum 3” headlap. You may consider applying a bead of Tile Secure to the
overlap for extra protection.
Bed ridge using color matched mortar or Flexim flexible mortar system. Flush point and make sure to
remove all excess material.
HIPS
Close cut the field tiles where they intersect with the hip nailer. If the nail holes are lost, re-drill and
secure cut pieces as previously described.
Install the first hip tile and secure to the hip nailer. Ensure the first hip tile is installed in line with the
remaining hip tiles and does not seem to drop down.
Install the half round tapered overlapping hip tiles to the wood nailer with a spiral nail or screw. You
may consider applying a bead of Tile Secure to the overlap for extra protection. The wings of the hip
tiles should rest on the tops of the barrel of the field tiles.
Where the hips intersect with a ridge, close miter the tiles and install a flashing under the joints for
complete weather protection. Bed hips using color matched mortar or Flexim flexible mortar system.
Flush point and make sure to remove all excess material.
VALLEYS
The valley liner should be formed using a long life metal flashing, such as 16 oz. copper, or 4 lb sheet
lead. The valley metal should be minimum 20” wide for short valleys and 24” wide for longer valleys
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and in lengths no greater than 8ft. Sheets should be lapped by 4” and not soldered. On a valley with
an unequal pitch you could consider installing a 1” high crease on the center line, this will reduce the
force of water and direct the flow.
A wide open valley is strongly advised in locations that will experience high snow loading or where
debris from overhanging trees is likely to accumulate.
The edge of the valley metal should be turned over ½” and secured to the deck with cleats.
Field tiles should overhang the valley metal and be straight cut to form a minimum 6” wide valley. Redrill nail holes if lost and secure cut field tiles as previously described.
Make sure that when securing cut pieces of tile you do not penetrate the valley liner.
Valleys should always be bedded and flush pointed using color matched Flexim flexible mortar.
All valleys should discharge evenly over the fascia board into the gutter. On low-sloped roofs it may
be necessary to notch the fascia board to maintain an even flow and discharge.
GABLE RAKE
LEFT HAND GABLE
Install a 2” x 4” nailer vertically to the deck allowing for the correct positioning of the Half Barrel tile.
Attach a 2” x 2” nailer to the open edge of the bargeboard.
Install a half round tapered Gable tile at right angles up the gable, secure to the 2” x 2” nailer with a
spiral nail or screw. You may also wish to secure the open end of the gable rake tile with Tile Secure
to prevent wind uplift.
Install a Half Barrel tile so that it covers the first Gable Rake tile and is secured to the 2” x 4” nailer.
RIGHT HAND GABLE RAKE
Attach a 2” x 2” nailer to the open edge of the plywood deck.
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Install a half round tapered tile (same as used for the hip & ridge) at right angles up the gable, secure
to the 2” x 2” nailer with a spiral nail or screw. You may also wish to secure the open end of the Gable
Rake tile with Tile Secure to prevent wind uplift
Install the first field tile at a right hand gable so that the barrel covers the Gable Rake tile.
ABUTMENTS
SIDE ABUTMENT
The underlayment should be turned up the wall 12”.
Finish the Field tiles as close to the side abutment as possible. Form a metal flashing, such as 16 oz.
copper, or 4 lb sheet lead. This flashing should be secured to the vertical abutment, extend over the
barrel of the tile and extend up the wall.
HEAD ABUTMENT
The underlayment should be carried up the abutment by at least 12”.
The top course of tiles should be cut to finish tight to the wall. If the coursing does not result in a full
tile in the top course, cut the tiles, re-drill a hole and secure tile as previously described.
A metal flashing should be formed to the correct angle. It will abut the wall by at least 6” and cover the
head of the tiles by 4”.
When flashing behind a chimney, a saddle should be formed of sufficient size to divert the water
around the chimney. The saddle should be weathered in a suitably compatible flashing material.
MORTAR, SEALANT Etc.
If mortar is to be used as filler it should be of a weak lime based mix. The tiles to be bedded should
be soaked in water for at least 2 minutes before mortar is applied. Back-bed and face point with color
matched mortar. Clean off all excess mortar from face of tiles.
Consider the use of Flexim Flexible Mortar System for bedding hips and valleys. Apply as
recommended by manufacturer and color match to tile. Make sure any excess material is cleaned off
the face of tile.
Caulking: Consider using Tile Secure from Chemlink.
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SNOW GUARDS
In areas where high snow loads are experienced it is strongly recommended that a snow
management system be installed to reduce the risk of melting snow and ice from avalanching off the
roof. Particular attention should be paid to areas where sliding snow may fall on to lower tiled roofs,
over doorways, walkways and parked cars.
Install copper snow guard with a narrow strap which will not disturb the lie of the next tile.
QUALITY
Tiles shall be free from defects as viewed from 45 feet. Color shall be harmonized but clay tiles are a
natural product and some shade variations between individual pieces enhance their beauty and
should be expected.
CONCLUSION
The preceding guide contains the suggested minimum requirements for the installation of the Spanish
profile clay roof tiles.
Laminados de Barro, is not familiar with all local building codes or regional weather conditions and
does not control the installation of the tiles.
The architect, builder, roofer or installer should ensure that the tiles are installed in accordance with
all local building codes and good tiling practice.
Laminados de Barro, recommends the Tile Roofing Institute’s Design Criteria Manual for Moderate
Climate Regions or Manual for Cold and Snow Regions installation procedure.
Contact TRI @ www.tileroofinginstitute.org or (312) 670-4177
Laminados de Barro, will not be responsible for any errors or omissions.
Laminados de Barro, does not warranty the installation of any of its tiles and offers these suggestions
in good faith.
www.labasa.com
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