Ceramic tiles and special parts

CERAMIC TILES

Curved Tiles:
Curved tiles have a gutter shape and their design makes it possible to obtain variable overlaps between parts. Edges can be parallel or tapered.

Fig.1- Curved ceramic tile

Mixed and flat ceramic tiles:
These covering elements have a curved and flat profile (mixed tile) or a flat profile (flat tile), which can have a longitudinal and transversal, single or multiple fitting system, for sealed assembly of adjoining parts in vertical rows and horizontal courses.

For tiles that are to be nailed, they have one or several marked holes next to their upper edge, which should be drilled with a tungsten carbide drill bit (widia), so that the tile is not damaged.

Fig.2- Mixed ceramic tile with fittings
Fig.3 - Flat Marseille or grooved ceramic tile
Fig.4- Flat single-channel ceramic tile
Fig.5- Flat ceramic tile with fittings

SPECIAL PARTS

Special ceramic tile parts are made in the same material as tiles, and their purpose is to fix individual points or discontinuity in the roof.

The use of these parts is essential to fix individual points, ensuring sealing, uniformity and the aesthetics of the roof.

Below a general diagram of a roof is shown with different individual points and the special parts to fix them.

1. Ridge
2. Hip or ridge end
3. Double female
4. Ridge cover
5. Three-way edge
6. Ridge wedge
7. Ventilation tile
8. Chimney carrier and chimney
9. Eave tile
10. Side course
11. Double tile or half tile

Fig.6 - Diagram of a roof with different individual points and special parts

Special ceramic parts include the following:

• Ridge: This ensures watertightness along the hips and ridge line (see figure 7a).
• Ridge end: This part finishes off the end of the hip, covering an important aesthetic function. At the same time it guarantees watertightness in the abutment with the eave (see figure 7b).
• Double female: This part enables the direction of the ridge tongue and groove to be changed to finish the hip with the ridge end under one of its ends (see figure 7c).
• Ridge cover: This part finishes the ends of the ridge, which is done by overlapping three parts, the right gable and the left side of another gable. This guarantees watertightness of this abutment and provides a perfect finish when joining to the ridge (see figure 7d).
• Various-way ridge: This part ensures the drainage and watertightness at the abutment point of one horizontal ridge with two or more ridges or hips. Its design should adapt to the angles between the ridges and hips for which the roof has been designed (see figure 7e and 7f).
• Wedge for ridge: This part fills the hollow left by the mixed tile in the flat part under the ridge. It is placed along the ridges and hips (see figure 7g).
• Ventilation tile: This part provides ventilation of the space between the tiles and the support board, to avoid the possible formation of water condensation and evaporating interstitial damp (see figures 7h and 7i).
• Chimney base: This part has the same dimensions as the tile or multiples and its function is to support the chimney (see figure 7j).
• Chimney: When combined with the chimney base, this part covers both aesthetically and functionally the gas exhaust (see figure 7k).
• Eave tile: This part forms the eaves line, overhanging the façade by about 15 cm. to avoid damp and staining, and it is the pitch of the first course of tiles. Eave tiles are installed one beside another and fit perfectly under the upper course of tiles (See figure 7l).
• Side finish: This part forms the edge up to the gable end, ensuring sealing against water and wind. This part can be angular shaped or have an upper profile of a tile and a vertical plane finish, in which case they are distinguished between “right” and “left” depending on the vertical finishing position.

For mixed tiles it is recommended to use the lateral overlap finish under tile, (right or left). (See figure 7m).
For flat tiles it is recommended to use the angular side finish on tiles.

• Half tile: Mixed tile, in which the flat part has been eliminated and complemented with side finishes (see figure 7n).
• Double tile: Mixed tile with two curved and one flat part, complemented with side finishes (see figure 7ñ).

	a) Ridge		b) End of ridge
	c) Double female		d) Ridge cover
	e) Three-way ridge		f) Four-way ridge
	g) Wedge for ridge
	h) Ventilation tile (curve))		i) Ventilation tile (mixed)
	j) Chimney carrier		k) Chimney
	l) Eave tile		m) Side finish
	n) Half tile		ñ) Double tile
Fig.7 - Examples of special parts