Architectural styles in San Diego, California range from Victorian to Midcentury Modern, and many of the prevailing styles can be traced back to the Spanish colonization of the region, beginning in the mid-1700s and ending in 1821.
The architecture of San Diego was heavily influenced by 18th century missions that inspired the Mission style and the early 20th century opening of the Panama Canal that brought Spanish Colonial Revival architecture to San Diego. Mediterranean Revival style homes that grew to popularity in the 1970s can also be found throughout the city.
Though each style is unique in its own way, each shares certain characteristics, among them a stucco exterior, arched windows and openings, red barrel clay tile roofs, and wrought-iron balconies.
The San Diego climate was a determining factor in many of these features. Falling into the category of an arid climate, it gets less than 12 inches of rain per year. This city in the southernmost part of California boasts warm, dry summers with cooler winters, though the average temperature rarely falls below the mid-50s.
With this much sun, materials that could stand up to the sun’s rays were of the utmost importance. Clay tile roofs can last over 100 years if cared for property and resist fading as a result of sun exposure. They are also resistant to other effects of the weather such as salt and air, which is perfect for the San Diego coastal region.
Traditional clay tile, however, is difficult to install and requires extra structural support to hold the weight of the tiles. Since it is a naturally porous material, it is extremely fragile and can be easily cracked or broken upon impact. This also makes it difficult to walk on if the roof needs maintenance or repair — which clay roof tiles need regularly.
To achieve the traditional clay tile look without the downsides, look no further than Brava Spanish Barrel Tile. This beautifully authentic and maintenance- free roofing material honors the historic craftsmanship of traditional terra cotta Spanish tiles but uses modern materials and manufacturing processes to give you the best of both worlds, making it the best option for modern builders.
Perfect For Any Project From Restoration To New-Build
Perfect for restoration projects as well as new builds, synthetic Spanish barrel roof tiles replicate the natural color variation that occurs when clay is fired and then weathers over time. Our tiles are individually colored, to create a rich landscape of hues for an authentic, old-world feel.
Fully Sustainable
One of the benefits of traditional Spanish terra cotta tiles is that they are made from natural materials, making them more environmentally- friendly than other styles of shingles, like asphalt. At Brava, we use recycled material in all of our products and we work hard to keep used building materials out of landfills by ensuring that our Spanish Barrel Tile is fully recyclable. This gives you peace of mind along with the benefits of using a modern building material.
Easy Installation, Maintenance, And Upkeep
The extreme weight of traditional terra cotta roofing material means that extra structural support is necessary before installation. This results in extra costs for additional wood and renovations. Our Spanish tile roofing is lightweight and easy to install, so there is no need for structural modifications.
Typically, walking on a clay roof isn’t safe and can result in damage to the tiles which compromises the roof’s integrity. Fortunately, Brava Spanish Barrel Tile roofing materials are highly durable and safe to walk on. However, you likely won’t have to because our tiles are maintenance- free and will look great year after year.
Durable
Traditional clay tiles can last for 100 years or more, however they require continual maintenance and upkeep in order to protect the roof. Brava Spanish Barrel Tiles are manufactured using our state-of-the-art compression molding technology, which gives our tiles unparalleled strength and durability. Not only do you not have to worry about walking on the tiles or impact from hail or tree branches, you can rest assured that they won’t crack or break as a result of exposure from sun, wind, or rain.
Create An Authentic Look With Spanish Barrel Tiles In San Diego
Whether you’re building a new home inspired by the Mission, Colonial Spanish Revival, or Mediterranean style homes or restoring an original, Brava Spanish Barrel Roof Tile will allow you to create an authentic look that is true to the architectural style. More durable, lighter, and easier to install than traditional Spanish tiles, Brava’s Spanish tiles reflect the natural beauty without the downsides.
Contact the experts at Brava today to discover the possibilities that our Spanish tiles offer both new and restoration projects.
