A roof ridge is the line that runs along the peak of the pitched roof, where the two roof planes meet. The roof ridge tile (traditionally clay or slate but can be cement) is the tile that runs along the roof ridge, protecting the roof from all weather. This can be bedded with mortar or a dry fixed ridge system can be used.

Aside from the protective purpose of the roof ridge tile, it also adds a finished aesthetically pleasing look to the roof.

How often do roof ridge tiles need replacing?

A roof ridge tile can last anywhere from 40 -100 years before needing replacing. The lifespan of a ridge tile will depend on the extreme weather it may have been subjected to as well as any destruction from objects like falling trees, branches, other falling debris or hail.

Depending on the material chosen for your roof ridge tile will also determine the expected lifespan.

Clay is durable and aesthetically pleasing on most roofs. As long as the roof is well maintained, a clay roof ridge tile could last for 40 - 60 years.

Concrete roof ridge tiles are hard-wearing and suitable for even low-pitched roofs. Concrete ridge tiles will need replacing after 50 years.

Slate is a premium choice for homeowners where the slate ridge tile will withstand the climate for 100 years before needing replacement.

Metal ridge tiles are more often seen on industrial properties, lasting 40 - 70 years before corroding.

Newer to the market is plastic ridge tiles that are incredibly lightweight compared to the other options and will go 40 years without needing replacing.

Even a thatched roof would have a thatched roof ridge, using wheat straw or sedge grass, and the ridge is just thicker than the rest of the roof. Other options for thatched roofs include glazed or unglazed ceramic ridge tiles and copper ridge tiles. The copper slows down the growth of mosses and algae. Thatched ridges need replacing every 10 - 15 years.

Can I replace just one roof ridge tile?

A missing or damaged roof ridge tile will mean your roof is no longer weather protected and your roof will leak. The missing or cracked tile creates a break in the roof for water to penetrate. As soon as you notice a ridge tile is missing or broken, contact a roofer about replacement of the ridge tile.

The roofer will be able to replace the missing ridge tile without you having to go to the expense of putting new ridge tiles the whole line of the roof. When the roofer comes to carry out an initial inspection, they will determine the quality of the other roof ridge tiles. If the remaining tiles are deteriorating with age, or are more than 40 - 50 years old, while already going to the expense of hiring a roofer and scaffolding, it may be worth your while in this instance to replace the entire row, rather than just one ridge tile.

If you are only replacing one roof ridge tile, ensure that it is replaced with the same material and colour matched as closely as possible. The old existing ridge tiles may be sun faded, so it will never be an exact match, but as close as possible for the roof to not look noticeably odd.

How much will it cost to replace roof ridge tiles?

When hiring a professional roofer to replace a missing or broken roof ridge tile or a section of ridge tiles, insist the roofer carries out a thorough inspection when attending to quote the job. You do not want a scenario where you have been quoted to replace one or two ridge tiles and then discover in shock that they all need replacing as the job has started.

Knowing the undertaking of the job will help you determine how much to budget. Other factors affecting the cost will be whether scaffolding is needed to access the roof ridge, or just a roof ladder and if the roofer will need to hire a skip to dispose of the old roof ridge tiles.

Depending on how many ridge tiles are being replaced, will depend on the labour costs for the job. Replacing up to 3 roof ridge tiles might only involve 2 - 3 hours labour, whereas replacing the whole section of roof ridge tiles could take 2 - 3 days labour time. Of course, the size of the roof will determine how many days roofing labour is needed.

What are the benefits of different material ridge tiles?

Clay is one of the oldest materials used in roofing. The advantages of a clay ridge roof tile is;

• highly durable
• resistant to adverse weather
• long-lasting
• cost-effective
• considered a traditional choice
• suits different style homes
• can be moulded into many different shapes and styles
• suitable for steep pitched roofs

Slate ridge roof tiles are seen as a premium roofing option. The advantages of a slate ridge roof tile is;

• sense of grandiose, as often found on stately homes and cathedrals
• the most durable
• weather and fire resistant
• can handle excess moisture
• the most long lasting material
• suitable for a higher pitch roof
• environmentally friendly roofing option
• various colour options

Concrete ridge tiles began to gain traction in the United Kingdom in the 1920s. The advantages of a concrete ridge roof tile is;

• cost-effective
• durabile
• greater resistance to impacts than clay
• hard-wearing and long-lasting
• suitable for roofs with much lower pitches than clay
• can be fitted using both dry fixing methods and mortar
• come as “interlocking” click together tiles
• easy installation for less labour time

Metal is a newcomer to the roofing materials market. The advantages of a metal ridge roof tile is;

• durable
• modern appearance
• can replicate the look of other roof ridge tile materials; e.g.; slate or clay
• not prone to chip, crack or shatter
• easy and quick to install

Plastic is a newer entry than metal. The advantages of a plastic ridge roof tile is;

• lightweight
• budget friendly
• available in different colour options
• can replicate the look of other roof ridge tile materials; e.g.; slate or clay
• easy to install
• not prone to chip, crack or shatter
• suitable for low and high pitch roofs

Dry fix ridge system vs mortar, which is better?

Mortar was the traditional way to install roof ridge tiles (as well as other key roof areas like hips, ridges, and verges...) but because mortar is unsuitable in the long term due to failing, there have been recent changes in the code of practice for slating and tiling. Mortar must be accompanied by a mechanical fixing.

Dry fix
Dry fix is easier and quicker to install and not weather dependent during the installation. This method is more popular here in the UK and due to less on-going maintenance needs, dry fix is more cost effective long-term.

Mortar
Securing ridge and hip tiles by mortar is cheaper during the installation but the long-term maintenance costs make it overall more costly. Mortar has a limited lifespan that is dependent on the quality of the mix, environmental conditions and any structural movement of the house.

Listed historical buildings will lean toward using mortar bedding with a mechanical fixing to keep the characteristics of the house. Modern homes nowadays will more than likely opt for a dry fix.

Estimates for common roofer jobs;

Rates for other trades