Throughout the American Sunbelt, clay and concrete tile roofs are an attractive and long-lasting option that homeowners and building owners have sought out for decades. It’s easy to see why. Tile roofs typically last anywhere from 50 to 75 years, depending on the region where they are installed, and dramatically enhance curb appeal.
For roofing contractors in these regions, there is significant business opportunity to seize, but in order to tackle these jobs effectively, contractors need the right tools and materials at their disposal. Consider the traditional method of installing roof tiles: nails, screws, mortar and wire ties. While these methods have been around for many years, they may not necessarily deliver the greatest value—for installers or for the homeowners.
Roof tile adhesives have made a name for themselves in certain regions of the country for their ability to provide fast, reliable, proven results in regions prone to more extreme wind and weather conditions and continue to grow throughout other parts of the country. Polyurethane-based adhesives can deliver outstanding adhesion to the tiles and approved underlayments. They also provide higher wind uplift values, add additional tile support, and virtually eliminate penetrations on the roof deck.
The benefits can be significant. Let’s explore what you need to know about polyurethane roof tile adhesives, their properties and behavior, and how you can harness their performance benefits to complete jobs more efficiently and effectively.
Benefits of Adhesives

Installing a roof — whether it consists of tiles, shingles, slate or metal — has long been performed with some form of mechanical fasteners. Whether the installer prefers to use screws, nails, mortar sets, or wire ties, mechanical fastening has been the traditional choice.
However, mechanical fasteners come with several deficiencies. First and foremost, using screws or nails to secure tiles inherently involves penetrating the roof deck with thousands of holes. Though this will not immediately compromise the performance of the roof if installed correctly, it does essentially create greater opportunity for failure in the future — such as water ingress and structural performance issues — than if the roof deck simply had not been penetrated at all.
Elsewhere, screws and nails must be installed with the right amount of pressure. Too forceful of an insertion can cause a roof tile to crack or break. There are some areas that also require flashing cements to be applied over all penetrations, which can add additional labor costs. Too loose of an insertion, meanwhile, can contribute to future performance issues, particularly in high-wind environments.
By contrast, securing clay and concrete roof tiles with a high-performance polyurethane adhesive product can functionally eliminate these concerns. Depending on the roof pitch and local building code requirements, it does not require the installer to puncture the roof deck, but instead creates a strong adhesive bond between the deck and the tile. This process also contributes to greater uniformity across the roof as a whole.
Utilizing adhesives can also significantly cut down labor costs associated with clay and concrete roof tile projects of any size. Adhesives are typically dispensed through convenient and reliable gun/hose assemblies, enabling the installer to spray adhesive and secure tiles quickly and efficiently; an experienced, well-trained crew can complete a typical roof tile job in less time than crews using other methods.
Roof Tile Adhesives: Examining the Options
To seize the benefits adhesives can bring to clay and concrete roof tile projects, it’s important to understand the differences between the varying product options available. Polyurethane adhesives can be broken down into two primary categories: single-component and two-component.
In single-component adhesive products, all components are combined and the adhesive moisture-cures upon dispensation. Two-component adhesives’ main chemicals are kept separate (A-side/B-side) and the reaction begins once the two components are mixed together. These components are fed through hoses up toward the roof workspace and are combined at the point of application.
Why choose one instead of the other? Each option has its benefits, and it typically comes down to contractor preference and requirements of the application.
For example, two-component polyurethane adhesives maintain the highest available levels of wind uplift performance. In some cases, depending on the paddy size and project, a two-component system can withstand Category 5 hurricanes. While single-component options can maintain excellent wind uplift performance too, two-component options have found preference in areas like Florida that are more prone to hurricanes and extreme wind. Two-component options can also deliver additional tile support, contributing to higher break strength and overall long-term durability. In areas that experience earthquakes, such as California, two-component products have higher seismic performances compared to wire-tie applications.
Single-component options, meanwhile, have their own advantages in terms of ease of use. Because all active ingredients are pre-combined in user-friendly cylinders, applicators can more easily move around across a roof. What’s more, multiple applicators carrying individual cylinders can complete a job quickly. This portability also lends itself to easier application around hips, ridges, cut pieces and trim tiles. One-component systems can also be applied to damp substrates, making it easier to perform work following rain or without waiting for morning dew to evaporate. Finally, one-component adhesives typically offer high yields, enabling you to maximize the number of tiles you can secure with a single tank of product.
The Importance of Proper Training
When evaluating polyurethane adhesives for your concrete and clay tile projects, it’s important that you and your installers have been trained on proper application. Various building officials, inspectors and municipalities might require roofing contractors to have been trained in proper product use by the manufacturer. Not only will this help ensure that the job is performed effectively but will help ensure your project goes smoothly.
Indeed, properly trained teams can deploy clay and concrete roof tile adhesives to deliver efficient, high-quality work for your customers, allowing you to move from job to job more quickly and with enhanced confidence. For roofing contractors looking to maximize value in this particular segment, roof tile adhesives are well worth your consideration.
About the author: Adrian Robledo is director of sales for ICP Group and oversees the brand’s APOC Polyset Steep Slope polyurethane roofing adhesives. With nearly 20 years of roof tile and adhesive industry experience, he is dedicated to helping roofing professionals understand the value of proper training and tile installation methods for concrete and clay roof tiles. For more information, visit apoc.com or email the author at [email protected].
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