Terracotta at the heart of regional roofs

Natural roofs inspired by our regions

Terracotta roofs, which now cover 80% of homes in France, reflect the richness of regional traditions through their colors, textures, and distinctive shapes. Each region has its own character, shaped by its history and environment. Architects, sensitive to this diversity, now favor natural materials such as terracotta to enhance this heritage.

plus, an expert in the manufacture of terracotta tiles, offers models adapted to each region, combining tradition and innovation. Whether for new construction or renovation projects, Erlus tiles stand out for their wide variety of styles, their remarkable resistance to bad weather, and their longevity. These qualities make them an essential reference for those looking to combine aesthetics and durability.

Diversity of roofs in the North and East of France 

In eastern France, terracotta dominates roofing, covering approximately 80% of homes. Two types of tiles are particularly widespread: the flat tile and the "large mold" interlocking tile. However, some regions, such as Alsace, are distinguished by the use of the scaly tile, recognizable by its rounded, fish-scale-shaped end, varying between brown and natural red.

The straight-cut flat tile: tradition and efficiency

The flat tile, one of the oldest and most popular in France, is ideal for steep roofs thanks to its slightly curved shape, which promotes water drainage. Traditionally native to northern France and the Paris Basin, it has become popular in many regions, particularly Burgundy, the Centre region, Île-de-France, and Picardy. Erlus flat tiles, available in an economical format, offer great creative flexibility while ensuring excellent weather resistance.

The flat tile in straight cut Erlus Linea, With its smooth surface and sleek profile, it combines tradition and modernity. It is distinguished by its exceptional resistance to bad weather, particularly against hail.

Interlocking tiles: performance and adaptability

Erlus interlocking tiles, such as the Reform SL, are appreciated for their elegant design and technical efficiency. Designed for roofs with moderate slopes, they are ideal for rainy climates such as those in Normandy or the Île-de-France region, while adding a contemporary touch to traditional roofs.

For low-slope roofs, the tile E 58 SL stands out for its versatility and ease of installation. Suitable for the Grand Est and Hauts-de-France regions, it allows for renovation without modifying the framework, with a wide variety of colors to blend harmoniously into the local landscape.

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region: a diversity of roofs 

The Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region is distinguished by a wide variety of roofing styles. North of Lyon, flat tiles, often shaped like scales, predominate, bringing a traditional and elegant touch to roofs. In contrast, to the south, canal tiles and large-molded interlocking tiles dominate, suited to roofs with gentler slopes and Mediterranean influences.

Highly prized in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the tile Erlus Forma stands out for its ease of installation and adaptability. Lightweight, with only ten pieces per m², it is suitable for both large and small roofs. Its gentle double wave, particularly appreciated for hip roofs, makes it an ideal choice for hips. Its design allows it to adapt to all rafter lengths, offering an aesthetic and durable solution for the region's varied roofs.

Modern roofs with very low slopes

The tile Erlus Karat is an ideal choice for enhancing contemporary architecture in the North, East, and northern departments of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Designed for very low-slope roofs, it is particularly efficient with a nominal slope of 16° and a minimum of 7°. 

Faced with the challenges of climate change and extreme weather conditions, the tile Erlus Karat RS stands out as a robust and reliable solution. Its triple side and head interlocking effectively prevents driving rain from seeping in, even on gentle slopes from 7°. The quadruple overlap at the corners provides enhanced protection against strong winds. In addition, its optimized ribbing provides remarkable resistance to hail, reaching class 4, capable of supporting hailstones up to four centimeters in diameter.

Despite different shapes and formats, the tiles E58 RS and Level RS share a common feature: a triple peripheral interlocking with wide and deep grooves. Water is channeled efficiently and the tiles are functional even when the roof slope is very low. 

Ribbed tile, the traditional mechanical tile

Specially designed for renovation, the ribbed tile combines tradition and modernity with high mechanical resistance. Erlus offers the following models: GF and GF XXL, large-format ribbed tiles whose design has been revisited to offer a profile with clean, contemporary lines. Winner of the prestigious iF Design Award, this tile is ideal for both new construction and renovation in the regions of Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, Champagne-Ardenne, Picardy, as well as in central France. (Photo: GL XXX copper brown)

La Falz tile, is the fruit of a long tradition: produced for over a century by Erlus, it meets the strictest quality requirements while being adapted to the current needs of the renovation market. Despite its evolutions, the Falz tile retains its authentic character, with an original shape and format of exceptional quality.

Canal tiles: suitable for the Mediterranean climate

In the South-East of France, as in the South-West, canal tiles are omnipresent, covering the roofs of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon and Corsica regions.

Although this traditional tile is sometimes replaced by “large mold” interlocking tiles for their ease of installation, it remains emblematic of Mediterranean roofs with earthy and nuanced tones.

Erlus continues this heritage with high-quality clay tiles, reproducing the authenticity of old roofs while incorporating modern techniques. The range includes traditional canal tiles and mechanical Roman tiles. Monk, as well as small-format ribbed tiles adapted to the specific climatic conditions of the South.

Erlus tiles are available from building materials stores.