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Installing tiles requires more skill than asphalt. In California, because of clumsy rules around workers compensation insurance, low-skilled high-risk labor is
by tlb 3y ago
Installing tiles requires more skill than asphalt.
In California, because of clumsy rules around workers compensation insurance, low-skilled high-risk labor is much cheaper than high-skilled labor. As a homebuilder explained it to me: if you hire actual roofers you have to pay very high insurance rates (roofing is quite dangerous). But if you hire day laborers and tell them to install the roof, you don't. So they prefer roof designs that day laborers can install.
- jupp0r 3y agoThere are also earthquakes, during which I'd rather have shingles than concrete tiles above me.
- AtlasBarfed 3y agoBut there's wildfires, in which case you want tiles not extremely flammable petroleum products above you.
- rootusrootus 3y agoAsphalt shingles are usually quite resistant to fire. IIRC, wildfires most often enter a structure through a window.
- jayd16 3y agoWhat about the rest of the country. What state predominantly installs tiled roofs?
- GenerWork 3y agoFlorida has a lot of houses with tile roofs. I think Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas also have lots of places with tile roofs due to the Southwest aesthetic.
- cptskippy 3y agoCalifornia also has wildfires and at least in SoCal the homes primarily use a fire resistant tile or slate.
- lazide 3y agoHaha, no. Some high end housing uses clay or tile, but the vast vast majority of roofs in California are Asphalt shingle. [https://kelly-roofing.com/what-roof-styles-are-popular-in-california/ https://kelly-roofing.com/what-roof-styles-are-popular-in-ca...]
- londons_explore 3y agoInstalling concrete tiles requires pretty much no skill. Anyone could do it after watching a 20 min youtube video. They literally just interlock and hold each other in place. You only need to nail down edge ones. A whole roof can be done in a day by 2 people - and most of the time is spend hauling the tiles to the roof - they're heavy!!