The Dutch pantile is the traditional, S-shaped roof tile of fired clay with a wavy profile. It is a single-lap tile, meaning each tile overlaps its neighbour on one side. For centuries this was the most common roof tile on Dutch houses and farms.
Shape and working
- S-profile — one hollow and one raised wave, so the tiles interlock
- Single lap — the tile only overlaps the side seam, not the head (unlike the improved Dutch pantile, which seals better)
- Water run-off — rainwater runs down along the waves
Because the lap is single, a Dutch pantile is more prone to rain penetration, and good roof boarding or a sub-roof is often used.
Material and variants
The tile is fired from clay; the colour (red, brown, blue-smoked) depends on the clay and firing process. Besides ceramic versions, concrete Dutch pantiles also exist. An improved version with a double lap is the improved Dutch pantile.
Application
- Pitched roofs — from a roof pitch of about 40 degrees for good water run-off; at lower pitches extra attention to watertightness is needed
- Traditional building — houses, farms and monuments
- Restoration — for historic buildings the original tile is reused or copied as far as possible
Related terms
- Roof tile
- Improved Dutch pantile
- Roof pitch
- Roof boarding
- Ridge
- Roofing
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