How to Install Mexican Tejas - Roof Tiles | Hugo Reyes y Fernando Martinez

The traditional Mexican roof tiles are generally made from locally available materials such as clay, terracotta or slate. Modern materials such as concrete, metal and plastic are are sometimes used but not in Valle de Bravo. Interestingly "tejas" is the word that ultimately was mis-spelled and slightly mis-pronounced to become the name for the State of Texas.
There are different methods of installation. We're using the free-form method of installation where the tiles are held in place by their own weight with the exception of concrete on the sides (to protect the wood from water) and the peak of the roof for a good waterproof seal there.
With other methods of installation, the roof tiles are 'hung' from the framework of a roof by fixing them with nails or screws. There are also roof tiles for special positions, particularly where the planes of the several pitches meet. They include ridge, hip and valley tiles. These can either be bedded and pointed in cement mortar or mechanically fixed. But the traditional building approach creates these specialty tiles by chipping pieces from the regular roof tiles.
Similarly to roof tiling, tiling has been used to provide a protective weather envelope to the sides of timber frame buildings. These are hung on laths nailed to wall timbers, with tiles specially molded to cover corners and jambs. Often these tiles are shaped at the exposed end to give a decorative effect. Another form of this is the so-called mathematical tile, which was hung on laths, nailed and then grouted. This form of tiling gives an imitation of brickwork and was developed to give the appearance of brick, but avoided the brick taxes of the 18th century.
Slate roof tiles were traditional in some areas near sources of supply, and gave thin and light tiles when the slate was split into its natural layers. It is no longer a cheap material, however, and is now less common.

[@susanthompson9782]

Beautiful craftsmanship

[@sportsonwheelss]

did the tiles got nailed onto the roof deck at all? How does it withstand strong wind if it is not nailed down?

[@Bikewithlove]

1:48 - Sound design by Alan Splet

[@loboxx337]

How do you fasten each tile to the roof?

[@buildinginmexico]

This particular roof isn't very steep and the tiles are held in place by their own weight. The ridge is cemented, as are the edges. All else is just sitting there, which is normal for these tiles. When we tile a very steep roof we staple a wire mesh to the deck, drill a hole in each tile, and use wire to attach the tiles to the mesh.

[@loboxx337]

@@buildinginmexico Thank you for your response, best wishes.

[@megamind3285]

So the tiles are not braced into the roof by anything ? 🤔

[@buildinginmexico]

That's correct. Just the edge and ridge are cemented. We have drilled them and wired them in situations where the roof is very steep but that's not the case here.

[@selwynperry7459]

😂you wouldn't get to roof my home..kiwi clay tile roofer

[@flash1143]

Can you share the contact of the workers?

[@buildinginmexico]

Are you in the Valle de Bravo area?

[@flash1143]

@@buildinginmexicoI live in El Oro ít is 1 hor from there.

[@buildinginmexico]

@@danhouston2715 Generally these tiles are cemented into place only on the ridge of the roof line and on the exposed edges of the gables. Otherwise the tiles are just laid in place. The exception is on very steep roofs where they may be drilled and wired together. We've never encountered what you're describing but it sounds like you're in an area that is subjected to freezing weather, a condition that isn't an issue in the climates where these tiles were developed and have been in use for centuries. You will probably need to use a torch to release the tiles from the tar.

[@buildinginmexico]

@@danhouston2715 Trying to picture that. What would be the purpose of the 2 x 4s?

[@buildinginmexico]

@@danhouston2715 If that's what he's doing, it defeats the purpose of the design of the tiles, as the bottom tiles form a waterproof trough and the top tiles taper in the opposite direction to direct the water into the trough.