CONCRETE
ROOF TILES
Independent cost comparison of a
co m plete roo f f o r a 134m 2 house
Concrete Roof Tiles
make the difference!
INTRODUCTION
Concrete roof tiles are the most cost-effective roof covering. By using concrete roof tiles investors and specifiers
alike can be assured of a long-lasting roof covering with an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
An independent survey was carried out to verify the cost-effectiveness of concrete roof tiles. These cost
comparisons are the result of input from many sources and were co-ordinated by Mr Victor Booth Pr Eng.-a
consulting engineer specialising in roofs. The Concrete Manufacturers Association gratefully acknowledges the
efforts of all participants in helping to formulate the data and the results.
A medium sized house of 134m² was used to illustrate the comparisons shown in the graph. The prices shown in the
graphs are for a complete erected roof structure covered with the appropriate material. Fascia boards and gutters
have been excluded. No provision has been made for either an underlay membrane or ceiling construction. Truss
prices at the coast would be more expensive due to the timber treatment requirement in such areas.
The 26º roof pitch for concrete tiles does not require an underlay although it is recommended as a dust excluder and
would cost approx R9/m² installed. A proprietary membrane for steel sheeting (or other materials) as an insulating
layer would cost approx R20/m² installed
ASSUMPTIONS
Certain assumptions have been made to simplify the costing model. Whilst some housing developments comprise
many units and developers/contractors can negotiate special “project discounts”, the majority of builders are building
“one off” houses and will obtain their roofing materials from their local suppliers at less advantageous prices. The
latter forms the basis of the analysis and whilst this assumption may be criticised by some, the author believed it to
be a valid assumption. The roof pitches are all 26º as it was felt that the roof would, in most circumstances, want
to be made an architectural design feature of the building.
METHODOLOGY
The design parameters for this roof structure are fixed, viz. pitch, span, overhangs etc., as well as the costing data
for the various components. Erected truss prices for this roof structure varied by only approx 15%. If the truss
prices are not 100% accurate, the relationship between the various truss prices, based on material and labour
content, will always be the same. That is, if all the truss prices were multiplied by 1.3 (i.e. add 30%) due to
material and labour price increases the general relationships between the different costs, as depicted graphically,
would not change. The figures relate to a “snapshot” in time. Inflationary price increases of materials and labour
vary from product to product, as does the timing of the increases.
Disclaimer:-
Whilst every effort has been made to Gable
ensure accuracy of the results they are
intended to be used as a guide only and not Ridge
as a methodology for costing roofs. We can
take no responsibility for misuse or
misunderstanding of the data. Eaves
Valley
Gable
2
Eaves
Ridge
COST COMPARISON
R/m2 Roof Area
300.00
270.00
240.00
210.00
180.00
150.00
120.00
90.00
60.00
30.00
0.00
ROOF COVERING THROUGH COLOUR PRE-PAINTED PRESSED FIBRE ALUMAZ
CONCRETE IBR METAL METAL TILES CEMENT NATURAL
ROOF TILES SHEETING SLATE SLATE
SPECIFICIATION
FLOOR AREA (m2) 134 134 134 134 134
ROOF AREA (on slope m2) 165 165 165 165 165
RIDGE CAPPING Tapered Ridge Ridge Cap Angle Ridge N/A N/A
PITCH 26° 26° 26° 26° 26°
TRUSS SPACING 760mm c/c max 1 200mm c/c max 1 100mm c/c max 900mm c/c max 760mm c/c max
BATTEN SPACING 345mm c/c max 369mm c/c max 250mm c/c max 190mm c/c max
PURLIN SPACING 1 150mm c/c max
GABLE OVERHANG 300mm 300mm 300mm 300mm 300mm
TRUSS SPAN 6 300mm 6 300mm 6 300mm 6 300mm 6 300mm
EAVES OVERHANG 600mm 600mm 600mm 600mm 600mm
COSTS
TRUSSES and SUNDRIES 12 723.00 10 412.00 9 940.00 12 286.00 13 033.00
ROOF ERECTION 3 454.00 3 619.00 3 454.00 3 454.00 3 948.00
ROOFING MATERIAL
INCLUDING FIXING 8 990.00 16 655.00 22 667.00 26 433.00 26 630.00
TOTAL COST OF ROOF 25 167.00 30 686.00 36 061.00 42 173.00 43 611.00
2
COST R/m FLOOR AREA (excl VAT) 188.00 229.00 269.00 315.00 325.00
COST R/m2 ROOF AREA (excl VAT) 153.00 187.00 219.00 256.00 265.00
Notes
Roof truss prices are based on a standard industry pricing practice.
All prices used in the cost comparison are based on 2003 (April) figures.
Labour costs for the erecting of the timber structure and the fixing of the roof covering material are included in
the cost comparison.
General sundries exclude fascia boards and barge boards.
The cost of gable masonry has been excluded as it is a “constant” for all roofs. 3
Above rates exclude VAT.
Waste is included in all calculations
CONCRETE ROOF TILE MEMBERS
Telephone Facsimile
Concor Technicrete (Pty) Ltd Polokwane Northern Province (015) 293 8083 (015) 293 8743
White River Mpumalanga (013) 758 1203 (013) 758 1054
Inca Masonry Products (Pty) Ltd East London Eastern Cape (043) 745 1215 (043) 745 1501
Lafarge Roofing Vereeniging Gauteng (016) 430 8000 (016) 422 0180
South Africa (Pty) Ltd Benoni Gauteng (011) 914 3043 (011) 914 4580
Bloemfontein Free State (051) 432 4681 (051) 432 5089
Brits Northern Province (012) 250 2964 (012) 250 2218
Cape Town Western Cape (021) 534 1441 (021) 534 7851
Durban KwaZulu-Natal (031) 565 2911 (031) 565 1312
East London Eastern Cape (043) 743 2189 (043) 743 2191
George Western Cape (044) 874 5663 (044) 874 5714
PortElizabeth Eastern Cape (041) 463 1155 (041) 463 2629
Marley Roofing (Pty) Ltd Olifantsfontein Gauteng (011) 316 2121 (011) 316 4138
Ekandustria Mpumalanga (013) 933 3351 (013) 933 3436
Tongaat KwaZulu-Natal (032) 944 4155 (032) 944 7796
Zimtile (Pvt) Limited Harare Zimbabwe (09263) 4 663511 (09263) 4 663516
4
Portland Park, Old Pretoria Road, Halfway House 1685, South Africa.
PO Box 168 Halfway House 1685
Tel +27 11 805 6742, Fax +27 11 315 4683
e-mail: cma@cis.co.za website: www.cma.org.za
