Barrel Tile Roof: What Aria Park Buyers Should Ask
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"A barrel tile roof is made of curved tiles that look like a pipe cut in half and laid in rows. It is the classic roof for Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes in Florida. Lennar's plan pages describe the Aria Park look as a Mediterranean-inspired exterior with clean stucco siding, stone accents and clay barrel roof tiles. But the builder's included-features list names a different roof, dimensional shingles. Because those two do not match, ask which roof your home gets, and get the answer in writing. This guide explains what a barrel tile roof is and what to ask.
What is a barrel tile roof?
The tiles are curved. Each one is shaped like part of a barrel or a half-pipe. Builders lay them in rows with the curve facing up, and then another row with the curve facing down, or they use a single tile shape that does both jobs. Either way, the roof ends up with a wavy, ridged look.
You will also hear it called a Spanish tile roof or a Mediterranean tile roof. If you search for a clay tile roof, you will find the same style.
Clay or concrete?
Barrel tiles come in two main materials:
Clay tile. It is made from baked clay. It has a natural color, and it is the traditional choice.
Concrete tile. It is made from cement and sand and then colored. It can be made to look like clay.
Lennar's plan pages say ""clay barrel roof tiles"" for Aria Park. Always ask what is on your actual home, because the material changes how the roof is priced, repaired and described to your insurance company.
What Lennar says about the Aria Park look
On the Aria Park plan pages, Lennar describes a Mediterranean-inspired exterior. The wording lists three things: clean stucco siding, stone accents and clay barrel roof tiles.
Stucco is a hard coating made from cement, sand and water. It is put on the outside walls in layers and it dries to a smooth or lightly rough finish. Stone accents are pieces of stone used to decorate parts of the outside of the home.
The same builder pages also list ""architecturally stylish dimensional roof shingles"" in the included-features list. That list is the same on all four plans. We cannot tell from the pages which roof goes on which home, or whether different looks get different roofs. So do not guess. Ask.
What to ask the sales team
Bring these questions to your tour:
Which roof will my home have? Tile or shingle? If tile, clay or concrete?
Is it written in my contract? Ask for the roof type in your purchase papers.
Does the choice change by exterior look? Some builders offer more than one front look.
Who do I call if a tile cracks? Ask how roof repairs are handled in the first year.
Can I see a finished home with the roof I will get? Walk the street and look up.
Pros and cons of a tile roof
Many Florida buyers like the look. Here is a balanced view.
Things buyers often like
The style. A tile roof gives a home a warm, Mediterranean look.
A long-lasting reputation. Clay tile has long been used on old buildings in warm places.
Individual pieces. If one tile cracks, a roofer can replace that tile and not the whole roof.
Things to think about
Weight. Tile is heavier than shingles. A home is designed and built for the roof it comes with, so ask the builder, not a roofer, about changes.
Foot traffic. Tiles can crack if someone walks on them the wrong way. Ask a roofer to do any work.
Insurance. Roof type and age can affect homeowners insurance. Ask your insurance agent before you buy.
We are not roofers and we do not claim how long a roof will last. We can tell you what the builder lists and what to ask.
How to look at a roof on a tour
You do not need to be an expert to look at a roof. Try this:
Stand across the street. From there you can see the whole front, the roof line and the way the roof meets the walls.
Look at the color. Tile colors can look different in sun and in shade. Look at a finished home in the afternoon if you can.
Match the home to the drawing. Ask the sales team to show you the exact front look that goes with the plan you like.
Take a photo. Later you can compare it to the papers you sign.
If a home on your street is still being built, ask which roof it will have. The answer tells you what to expect.
Roofs in Miami-Dade must meet strict wind rules
Homestead is in Miami-Dade County. The Florida Building Code has stricter wind rules for the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. The state's building-code office says those requirements apply in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. You can read its explanation on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation building-code FAQ.
Miami-Dade County also has a product approval office. The county says its Product Control Section reviews products such as roofing, windows and exterior doors. Read about it on the Miami-Dade product approval page. You do not have to read the rules to buy a home. But it is good to know that roofs here are held to a high standard, and that a licensed builder must follow them.
Wind-rated roofs are only one part of a hurricane-ready home. Lennar also lists impact-resistant glass on the front doors, windows and sliding glass doors, and impact-rated garage doors. And you should know your flood zone, which is a separate question. We explain it in What Is a Flood Zone? A Homestead, FL Buyer's Guide.
Where the roof fits in your decision
A roof is one of the biggest parts of a home, but it is only one part. Think about it along with the floor plan, the kitchen and the bedrooms. If you have not picked a plan yet, start with our guide to Aria Park floor plans. If you are weighing the two biggest plans, read Melody vs. Symphony at Aria Park. To learn about the bathrooms, read our ensuite bathroom guide.
Common Questions
What is a barrel tile roof?
It is a roof made of curved tiles that look like a pipe cut in half. Builders lay them in rows to make a wavy, ridged look. It is the classic roof for Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes in Florida. It is also called a Spanish tile roof.
Do Aria Park homes have a barrel tile roof?
Lennar's plan pages describe a Mediterranean-inspired exterior with clay barrel roof tiles. But its included-features list also names dimensional roof shingles. The two do not match, so ask the sales team which roof your home gets and have it written in your contract.
What is the difference between clay and concrete tile?
Clay tile is made from baked clay and is the traditional choice. Concrete tile is made from cement and sand and then colored. Both can have the barrel shape. Ask which one is on your home, since the material affects repairs and insurance.
Does a tile roof need special care?
Tiles can crack if someone walks on them the wrong way, so let a roofer do any work. If one cracks, a roofer can usually replace that tile. Ask the builder how roof repairs are handled in the first year after you buy.
Does the roof affect homeowners insurance?
It can. Roof type and age can change the price and what an insurance company asks for. Call an insurance agent before you buy and give them the roof type from your purchase papers.
What is stucco?
Stucco is a hard coating of cement, sand and water that goes on the outside walls in layers. It is common on Florida homes. Lennar lists clean stucco siding as part of the Aria Park look, along with stone accents.
Want to see the exteriors for yourself? Call 561-704-0091 or See the Aria Park Exteriors — Schedule a Visit. We will help you ask the right questions.
Related reading: Aria Park Floor Plans: All Four Townhomes Compared, What Is a Flood Zone? A Homestead, FL Buyer's Guide, Ensuite Bathroom Guide: The Aria Park Owner's Suites, Melody vs. Symphony at Aria Park, and the Aria Park community page."