Straight Barrel Mission Clay Roofing Tile from the Tile Man

Who is the Tile Man ... and how can he help you achieve "your" rooftop objective. Here's where the story begins ... from vintage "fried mud" to modern or antique clay, slate and concrete roofing tiles, the Tile Man is your guide to these classic architectural jewels.

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Start here to explore our historical recycled vintage clay roofing tiles, including French, Spanish, Straight Barrel Mission, Interlocking and the timeless Slab Shingles we have dubbed the "Dowager Queens!" If you are not sure what pattern or style "your" tile is, please visit our Historic Tile Profile page and select a tile that fits your needs.

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V.S.O.T. simply means "very special old tile". On this page you will see extraordinary 200-year-old antique tiles from France in both a Slab Shingle pattern and a Barrel pattern … along with a tidbit of area history to help you capture the historic sentiment of these antiquities!

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What's new at the Tile Man? Meet John King and read about his 1930 Service Polices while you explore our New Products. This is a good location to visually select the right New Product for your home. We also feature additional information on Concrete Roofing Tiles (the best in America), a superb collection of Clay Roofing Tiles and traditional Slate Tiles (including Buckingham Slate). Be sure to check our exciting new tile color "swatches" ... Clay Tile Colors and Concrete Tile Colors
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Our business IS service. It starts the minute we take your call, and ends at your leisure. We have three generations of knowledge and technical expertise that is offered without charge.
"Thank goodness we found you!" is the most frequently expressed compliment from our clients ... why, because we prioritize your needs. This old fashioned concept not only works for our clients it also creates an ambience of pleasantness throughout our company! Complete information.
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Tile FAQ’s ... Take a quick tour of our Louisburg Tile Yard, where you'll find tiles shipped in from around the world. Learn a bit about their care and meet the people who do it - like our VP of Operations Lori Kittle.
If you have a specific question about tile (i.e. cleaning clay tile or packing & shipping Tile or Slate) ... please email loriak@earthlink.net.

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Whatever your communications preference may be ... telephone, fax, email or coming over for a visit, here's the place to start. Contact the Tile Man.

Lee Russ
The Tile Man, Inc.

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Here you will find our complete "Educational Series" of Articles covering historic clay tile design (including trim pieces), manufacturing and installation.
Our new online newsletter, The Tile Tattler contains articles with interesting, educational and little known facts about clay roofing tile in our country.
If you are selling historic clay tile or slate to be recycled, please drop by our Tattler Classified Ad department!

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The Straight Barrel Mission Tile (18") has an average exposure of 11-1/2" (W) X 11-1/4" (L). There are approx-imately 166 pieces per square weighing 1,290 lbs.

The Spanish Tile has an average size of 13-1/4" (L) X 9-3/4" (W). Installed exposure averages 10-1/4" X 8-1/8". 171 pieces per square - 900 lbs.

exquisite deep-green glazed Spanish tiles

Note the very rare 8-sided Terminal in the above photograph. Straight Barrel Mission (size 18" and size 14-1/4") and Cubana Tiles are all 2-piece tiles with both a Pan and a Cover. They look somewhat similar on a rooftop but the difference in size does not allow interchanging these tiles for spot repair. Glazed Green Spanish Tile adorns the gazebo on the right.

The "Vintage" colors in Straight Barrel Mission Tiles include the Smooth Red Range and the Mixed Color Range (a mixture of Reds, Buff, Fire-Flashed and Browns), There are some wire-scored surfaces but a smooth surface is more common.

(Right:) Shown is the carriage house of a home with Spanish Smooth Red Tile.

"Vintage" colors in Spanish Tile include the Smooth Red range, the glazed Brookville Green range and the Dull Green range. There are some wire-scored surfaces occasionally found on these tiles.

The word "Range" is used to describe all "Vintage" tile colors. Tile burned in a beehive kiln would burn out in slightly different tones from top to bottom - their beauty is the variation of color within the range.

(Right:) Properly called Eave Closures, the small rounded pieces shown in the photo are also known as "bird stops" - they faithfully serve this purpose for the Spanish Tile shown.

The moss and ivey covered SBM tiles look great alongside stone walls

The tiles, which are both curved (like Spanish tile) and Interlocking (with a side lock) are T-12, Madrid and Seville. These tiles are similar in appearance to Spanish Tile.

The photo (below left:) shows standard Ridge, Terminal and Hip Treatments for the Spanish tiles shown. Seen at the top are the small "top fixtures" used to close this tile at the ridgeline. (Below right:) This is a T-12 rooftop with lovely and scarce bugle hips and leaf hip starters. The color, shades of Olive Green, is uncommon. Note the Closed Ends at the eave, which beautifully start the tile course. The trim pieces shown in both photographs are used for Straight Barrel Mission, Spanish, T-12, Madrid and Seville Tiles. The exception is Straight Barrel Mission Tile which uses "covers" as Ridge Pieces.

Standard Ridge, Terminal and Hip Treatments for the Spanish tiles

The Closed Ends of this eave beautifully begin each course of tile.

New Clay Tiles & New Concrete Tiles | Clay Color | Concrete Color | NEW "Educational Series" Articles!