The architecture of Albuquerque, New Mexico is a representation of many eras and design styles. From traditional adobe homes to modern skyscrapers, the range of building styles reflects various architectural styles, starting with the Ancestral Pueblo, which used stone and mud to create multi-level homes. The Spanish Colonial period introduced the adobe home style that used local materials to construct homes and is characterized by a flat roof, earth floors, windows barred with wooden bars, and a ceiling constructed with vigas — long wooden poles that formed the ceiling beams — and latillas — thin wood strips that filled the space between the vigas.
Once Mexico gained independence in 1821, more modern building materials, like glass and nails, became available through trade via the Santa Fe Trail. After New Mexico became a territory of the U.S. in 1848, architecture shifted to include European styles, Greek Revival in particular, characterized by stately columns, a large porch entry, and symmetry in a style now known as Territorial. Another hallmark of Territorial style is the influx of Victorian style houses that became popular as the railroad made its way across the United States.
In the early 1900s, New Mexico began to lean into past building styles, creating Pueblo Spanish Revival, also known as Santa Fe Style. As time progressed, New Mexico embraced Pueblo Deco — a southwestern play on Art Deco — along with modern architecture and styles.
Spanish Roof Tiles
Throughout the years, Spanish tile has been used as a roofing material. Made from clay and shaped over a barrel to form its signature curved shape, this tile is synonymous with many southwestern architectural styles. However, using natural materials comes with some downsides.
Clay tiles are heavy, and often require structural modifications to the roof in order to support the weight. They also have a tendency to become dry and brittle, cracking over time and leaving the roof vulnerable to leaks. They can also be pricey and difficult to install.
When choosing the best roof tile, Albuquerque homeowners should consider the climate. With 310 days of sunshine and a mild, dry climate, Albuquerque homeowners must take steps to ensure that their roof tiles can handle that amount of sun and dry conditions.
Their sunny weather does however, alleviate any concerns about how roofing materials will hold up against rain or snow since neither is much of a concern; the average annual rainfall is only 9 inches.
The Best Spanish Roof Tile For Albuquerque Homeowners
Spanish roof tiles are a great option if you want to capture the Spanish style or Mediterranean look, and with modern advances in tile manufacturing, you’re able to get the benefits of the Spanish tile look but without the downsides of traditional clay tiles.
Eco-Friendly
Composite Spanish roof tiles are made from recycled material and are fully recyclable, so even though you’re not using natural material to create traditional clay tiles, the impact on the environment will be minimal.
Long-Lasting
Brava Spanish Barrel Tiles come with a 50-year limited warranty to give you peace of mind that your Spanish roof tiles will last for years to come, and with limited maintenance, you can sit back and enjoy the beautiful look of Spanish tile without the hassle of major costly repairs.
Customizable Colors
Natural clay tiles are formed and then fired to harden the material and maintain the curved barrel shape. This process largely dictates the range of colors in the tiles, with terra cotta being the most common. The natural color variation is beautiful, however there is no guarantee that the color will blend with the home’s design and desired aesthetic.
Brava synthetic Spanish roof tiles offer a wide range of color choices to ensure you get the perfect color that fits the aesthetic of the home. Our tiles are individually colored, to recreate the rich landscape of color variation found in natural materials. We ensure that the color runs through the entire tile and use the most advanced UV protection, so you’re guaranteed a product that achieves superior, long-lasting color.
Our multi-colored blends and aged tile colored blends create a variation in color that mimics the natural variation found in traditional clay tiles, ensuring that no two tiles are alike, which creates an interesting and natural look.
Capture The Traditional Look Without The Hassle
For Albuquerque homeowners, composite Spanish roof tiles provide the best of both worlds. You can capture the beauty and authenticity of a barrel tile roof, but without the maintenance concerns of natural materials. Brava Spanish Barrel Roof Tile provides an authentic traditional look but without the worry that tiles will crack and break over time, especially considering the dry climate.
Contact the experts at Brava today to capture the Old World beauty with modern materials.
