Clay Roof to Solar Roof Things to know…

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Clay Roof to Solar Roof

Things to know… 

Read Time: 5 minutes:

Highlights:

  • Clay tiles are fragile and can break with little pressure.

  • Solar panel mounting methods.

  • Comp-out is costly, but it is the most durable and risk-free roof replacement solution.


Keywords: Clay Tiles, Solar roof, Comp-out method, Solar racking, roof Flashing

  1. Clay tiled roof to the solar rooftop?

Solar On a Tile Roof, Spanish Tile Roof

SpANISH S TILE ROOF


Excessive California’s heat makes house owners install heat-repellent and aesthetically appealing clay tiles. Until recently, people have been considering investing in solar-paneled roofs because of their significant monetary benefits. However, replacing a complete or part of a clay-tiled roof with solar panels is not a straightforward job. Although clay tiles are better heat insulators, they are inherently brittle and can break with little pressure. Unlike asphalt tiles, clay tiles cannot even sustain walking and can easily break. Therefore, an unprofessional installation of solar modules on clay-tiled roofs may result in a damaged or leaked roof. In addition, an inexperienced solar installer can not only ruin the roof aesthetics but also further tolled with recurring repair bills in fixing minor cracks and poorly interconnected solar panels.

Solar module installation on the clay rooftop is a relatively new trend and needs extra care to prevent shingles breakage, poor solar panel to clay tile bond, and leakage issues. However, industry professionals have gained enough experience and devised intelligent methods which can make the clay tiles to solar modules replacement a seamless job. Some risk-free and low-cost options are briefly discussed in this article.

  1. Solar mounting method

The mounting method involves removing the minimum clay tiles to install the mounting stands made of metal (iron or aluminum). While the clay tiles remain intact, the solar panels can easily install on the metal mountings. The solar mounting method is known for low leakage risk because only a small portion of clay rood is dismantled for clay to solar switch. However, clay roof comes in various shapes and slopes, making the mounting less durable. Additionally, the aesthetic look of the clay rooftop is also compromised.

  1. Comp-out method

Unlike solar racking comp-out method involves removing all the tiles under the solar modules. Next, the composite shingles are installed onto the engraved area. Next, the shingle transitions and interconnections are reinforced with sheet metal, known as flashing. The flashing process enhances the durability, minimizes the leakage possibility, and increases the roof life and durability compared to both asphalt and clay-tiled roofs. Further, the flashing is followed by applying the sealant to the shingle interconnections, thus ensuring waterproofing. Finally, the solar panels are installed on the composite shingles. The area around the shingles is again filled with clay tiles giving a pleasing look of embedded solar panels on clay-tiled roofs without mounting.

  1. Solar Racking Method

Solar racking is somewhat similar to the mounting method but the clay tiles that come under the solar modules are removed. Then the metal racks are installed on the engraved area with proper interconnections, followed by applying the sealants for waterproofing. The racking method is more durable than the mounting method but less sturdy than the comp-out method. However, a clean embedded look of clay tiles and solar panels is hard to achieve because of the metal racks interlocking.

  1. Flashing Method

Flashing is a comparatively durable and cheaper roof replacement method:

  1. All the tiles under the solar panels are removed and engraved up to the base plane (wood or concrete).

  2. The compact mounting hooks are attached to the base plane.

  3. The metal frames are connected to the mounting hooks. 

Finally, the solar panels can reside and fit onto the metal frames. The frames interconnect, and the hooks are adequately sealed with chemicals or tar. However, this method also has a disadvantage of an unembedded roof look and has a high leakage risk.